UNFPA
the ask
identify a problem and work with a non profit to create a solution
situation
Sex work in the united states is currently criminalized, which negatively affects sex workers in a multitude of ways. Therefore, the bigger fight for decriminalization is a must. Still, in a smaller, more centralized view of our current climate, Sex workers struggle to receive adequate healthcare due to barriers of criminalization. However, everyone deserves treatment, regardless of their careers. Additionally, we must combat personal biases people in the healthcare system may have about sex work to ensure proper care.
brief / strategy
We need to start a conversation between doctors and sex workers with empathy and mutual understanding
at the forefront. Educating these audiences and the general public will incite awareness of this problem
and change how sex workers are treated.
At their core, individuals become doctors because they care about others and want to help.
We must tap into that empathy by targeting doctors, making them aware of the unfair treatment
of sex workers, and creating a conversation to incite change.
big idea
The healthcare talk
UNFPA is creating an environment where sex workers can speak honestly and freely to healthcare providers to receive healthcare advice and attention that criminalization currently prevents them from.
While this is not a long-term idea, the real fight is for decriminalization. Still, for the time being, sex workers deserve to access and feel comfortable accessing information about their healthcare. We hope this space will help shift doctors' biases toward sex workers. To see and treat them like any other patient. Additionally, by providing sex workers a list of doctors, they can feel safe.
direction
For sex workers:
We're creating the No Judgment Chat Line.
A chat room paired with a one-on-one messaging feature for anonymous medical help or the ability to contact a medical provider (similar to better help) with approved medical providers.
For the general public:
We're collaborating with the Sex Museum in NYC.
We'll host an exhibit and panel at the Sex Museum in NYC that highlights the struggles that sex workers go through getting proper health care. The panel will feature Cheyenne Doroshow, Elizabeth Edwards, and Carol Leigh.
For doctors:
We will create inserts in Medical Journals, which typically give doctors information about medical conferences.
These ads aim to develop an understanding and trust between sex workers and medical professionals. Additionally, well-set up booths at medical conferences. These boots will travel to various conferences, hosting workshops, including a panel of sex workers who will tell their stories about how they feel when seeking medical attention.
In addition, the booth will invite medical professionals to apply for the no-judgment chatline.
I couldn't have done it alone
Cam Walter, Hanna Wink, Kamana Krishnan, and Savannah Tindall fellow BU Advertising Grad Students