Veronica Valenta
@VeronicaValenta
Followers
3,885
Following
270
Media
17
Statuses
573
Former sex worker turned attorney. Sharing articles and reflections on sex work. Decriminalize sex work. Rights Not Rescue.
Joined July 2017
Don't wanna be here?
Send us removal request.
Explore trending content on Musk Viewer
WELCOME BACK RENJUN
• 248199 Tweets
ジャンポケ
• 54714 Tweets
書類送検
• 49923 Tweets
フルーツ
• 33805 Tweets
#SinghamAgainTrailer
• 26903 Tweets
ロケバス
• 26897 Tweets
PrabowoJKW SolidKOMPAK
• 20295 Tweets
NKRItangguh KOKOHdisegani
• 19335 Tweets
公認申請
• 15665 Tweets
契約解除
• 13983 Tweets
自民山口
• 12742 Tweets
吉本興業
• 11912 Tweets
山口県連
• 11005 Tweets
ハニトラ
• 10930 Tweets
Pinned Tweet
Sex workers need rights, not rescue. Decriminalize sex work.
11
313
963
Mexico City will decriminalize sex work in a move against trafficking. Sex worker and other human rights groups in Mexico say criminalization of sex work exposes an already vulnerable group to abuses by police and organized crime.
30
1K
4K
When I was a sex worker I never sold my body. I still had it after a client paid me for my services. In so many other professions people use their bodies in their work. The idea that sex workers sell their bodies is misogynistic and rooted in the desire to control women's bodies.
35
281
2K
California lawmakers passed a bill that protects sex workers from arrest when they report serious and violent crimes. The bill also ensures that the possession of condoms may not be used as probable cause to arrest or prosecute someone for sex work.
18
446
1K
My experience as an attorney shouldn't be diminished because I worked as a sex worker before law school. Sex work should be decriminalized and destigmatized to reduce the risk of harm to sex workers and to make it easier for people to transition out of sex work if they want to.
40
185
1K
Before I became an attorney, I was a sex worker. It would have been so much harder for me to transition out of sex work if I had a criminal conviction. Decriminalize, decarcerate, and destigmatize sex work.
10
226
1K
Sex workers need rights not rescue. If you care about reducing the risk of physical, emotional, social, and carceral harm to sex workers then support the full decriminalization of sex work.
4
353
1K
I was a sex worker for about 10 years before I became an attorney. It's been a wild journey from there to here. Decriminalize sex work.
30
110
1K
I almost didn’t go to law school because I was afraid my experience doing sex work would hold me back in building my legal career. Now that I have passed the bar and I’m moving forward in my career, I’m happy I didn’t let that fear hold me back.
42
90
1K
When I was doing sex work I developed skills in branding, marketing, Photoshop, website design, HTML, negotiation, conducting interviews, and running my own business. But because sex work is criminalized and stigmatized I can't put on my resume where I developed those skills.
31
164
777
I have no shame about my past experiences doing sex work, but after transitioning out of it I hate how the stigma can still be used against me as I build my career as an attorney. Sex work should be decriminalized and destigmatized.
15
109
808
I’m an attorney. I’m also a former sex worker. I value both of these experiences. I hope someday sex work is decriminalized and destigmatized.
7
93
777
When I did sex work, I thought I would never run for office. Years later, I became an attorney & have considered it. Seeing
@JuliaCarmel__
&
@CabanForQueens
advocate for decriminalizing sex work in their campaigns is paving the way for someone with sex work experience to run.
12
75
663
I learned how to run a business when I was a sex worker. This later gave me the confidence to start my own practice when I became attorney. It turns out I have transferable skills, not related to sex, that I gained during my time doing sex work.
15
84
620
I almost didn't become an attorney. I was concerned my experience doing sex work would hold me back in building my law career. Sex work should be decriminalized and destigmatized to improve the lives of sex workers and to make it easier to transition out when someone wants to.
8
82
585
Highlight of my day was talking with a sex worker who is studying for the LSAT. I almost didn’t go to law school because I was concerned being a former sex worker would hold me back. Happy to decided apply to law school, graduated, and became an attorney. Decriminalize sex work.
14
47
501
“If you say you're not going to prosecute sex workers, but you're going to prosecute their customers, you are then cutting off a means of taking care of themselves." -
@CabanForQueens
, candidate for Queens District Attorney
3
142
469
Decriminalize sex work. I mean, fully decriminalize sex work — for both sex workers and their clients. Why? Because this is essential for reducing the risk of harm to sex workers.
8
136
464
When I was doing sex work I thought I would never want to get into politics. But after becoming an attorney I started to think about it. Seeing candidates supporting decriminalizing sex work is creating the space for someone with sex work experience to run & be taken seriously.
12
46
391
Not only would decriminalizing and destigmatizing sex work make it safer for people working in the sex trades, it would also make it easier for people to transition out of doing sex work if they want to.
2
114
382
“Sex workers are workers and they deserve to be treated with dignity, including protections and decent working conditions, rather than the abuse and criminalization that they currently face." - New York State Senate candidate Julia Salazar
3
124
370
Sex workers don't need to be rescued, they need rights. If you want to help make the lives of sex workers safer then support the full decriminalization of sex work.
#RightsNotRescue
4
152
362
Under a new California law, which goes into effect in Jan. 2019, sex workers will be granted immunity from prosecution for prostitution if they are reporting a violent crime.
12
121
354
D.C. Council member seeks to decriminalize sex work. The bill would repeal criminal penalties for sex workers and their customers, but would leave in place all laws that make it illegal to force or coerce someone to engage in sex against their will.
7
148
330
Consensual sex should not be a crime just because someone is paying for it.
3
85
325
After doing sex work for several years I worried about how the criminalization and stigma would affect me in my transition out of sex work. Sex work should be decriminalized and destigmatized to make it easier for people to transition out of doing sex work when they want to.
7
72
318
Florida sex workers demand decriminalization after massive raids. “Sex work does not equate to human trafficking. Conflating the two is dangerous for both victims of human trafficking and sex workers. Listen to sex workers."
3
142
296
I almost didn't become an attorney because I was worried my experience being a sex worker might hold me back. Happy I took the leap to go to law school and create the law career I wanted. And happy I got to talk with a sex worker this week who is applying to law school.
15
30
326
"Banning sex work will be considered unthinkable 50 years from now. ... Decades from now, we’ll see this time period as the beginning of the end of a long chapter of oppression, abuse, and the vilification of a highly misunderstood profession."
7
90
284
Criminalizing sex work increases the risk of harm to sex workers (physical, legal, reputational), discourages sex workers from accessing resources, and convictions make it harder to transition out of sex work when someone wants to. Criminalization does not make sex workers safer.
3
132
308
Sex work stigma pushes sex workers into the shadows, and increases their risk of social harm and physical harm. Sex work should be destigmatized and decriminalized.
3
115
278
"Decrim sex work, but still prosecute clients." This is the Nordic model. It may sound reasonable, but this continues to criminalize sex work. It continues to marginalize and stigmatize sex workers. And it continues to make sex workers vulnerable to violence and abuse.
5
70
247
"When we listen to sex workers, they are unanimous: decriminalize sex work and use other criminal code elements to prevent violence, force, fraud or coercion." -
@MeredithRalston
4
100
249
Will Washington, D.C. take a stand for sex worker rights & safety? New bill would decriminalize buying & selling sex
10
121
221
Police often conflate sex trafficking with sex work & media often parrots the police narrative. But sex work isn't sex trafficking & arrest isn't rescue. "They say 'we rescued these women' & by rescue they put them in jail & give them a criminal record."
4
119
230
"Human trafficking is coerced labor ... it's not sex work, which is consensual. And by conflating the two you're actually taking all of this energy that could be helping victims of human trafficking and you're instead punishing consensual sex workers."
4
132
229
"We don't need a formal study to tell us that taking away sex workers' ability to communicate online makes their lives worse—sex workers have been saying that for a decade now."
2
80
223
Sex workers have been saying decades they want rights, not rescue. Decriminalize, destigmatize, and decarcerate those working in the sex trades.
2
55
212
Sex work will exist regardless of its legal status. Criminalizing the sale and purchase of sex increases the risk of harm to sex workers.
1
70
204
When I was doing sex work I set the goal of becoming an attorney. It feels so good to be on the other side now — I graduated from law school, passed the bar, and I'm building the career I dreamed of. While I'm happy where I am at now, I have no shame about where I came from.
10
18
192
Maine’s new law partially decriminalizing sex work just went into effect. It criminalizes people who pay for sex, but not sex workers. Sounds good? Make no mistake, laws like this don't make sex workers safer and continue to push their work underground.
11
56
210
A bill is being introduced in New York to fully decriminalize sex work. "It’s about making sure people who work in the sex trades have access to making a living in the sex industry in a way that is not a crime." -
@AudaciaRay
3
72
196
A Columbus police officer, working undercover, killed Donna Dalton during a prostitution sting. She was in his car, trying to get away from him, when he fired multiple shots.
#DonnaDalton
should be alive. Criminalizing sex work has fatal consequences.
9
129
197
If you are a current or former sex worker and thinking about going to law school, are in law school, or are an attorney then please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I was a sex worker and then became an attorney. It’s nice to connect with others on a similar career path.
6
45
193
Sex work should be decriminalized because everyone should be free to choose how they use their bodies for work and decriminalization will make sex workers safer.
4
63
186
9 sex workers on their lives in the wake of FOSTA: "They want us out of sight, underground, dead or in the streets easy to arrest."
3
113
185
When I was doing sex work I had a pretty nice workspace. While I wanted to provide a safe space for others to work I knew this could increase my risk of felony charges and so I didn't. Sex workers sharing workspaces can aid in harm reduction. Decriminalize sex work.
3
46
203
Next time you read about police cracking down on online advertising for sexual services keep this in mind: The internet has helped sex work become a satisfying and relatively safe career, according to one of the biggest studies of sex workers conducted.
1
104
187
The way to make sex workers safer is not to rescue them. The way to make sex workers safer is to fully decriminalize sex work.
2
31
190
"If someone does want to exit the sex industry, whether they are a sex trafficking victim or just a sex worker looking for a change, that transition is not supported by our current culture and system of laws around employment." -
@laura_lemoon
2
65
194
New York state Senate candidate Julia Salazar included the decriminalization of sex work in her campaign platform. And she just won the Democratic primary election.
3
44
184
On Labor Day I'm thinking about how sex work is work that should be decriminalized and destigmatized.
2
50
186
Thinking about how my path to become an attorney would have been so much harder if I had gotten arrested when I was doing sex work. It’s important to decriminalize sex work to increase safety for sex workers, but also to make it easier for those who want to transition out of it.
1
31
181
Sex workers are often described as "trafficking victims" until cops don’t want them to be. "Arbitrary distinctions make people out as either victims who need help, or predators who target America's children." Decriminalize sex work.
1
68
183
Today I talked with a sex worker who is considering law school. I shared that I almost didn’t go to law school because I was afraid my experience doing sex work would hold me back in building my law career. Now that I am an attorney, I’m happy I didn’t let that fear hold me back.
6
20
168
Had
#DonnaDalton
worked in a country where sex work was legal, she never would have been charged with a misdemeanor or issued a warrant. And there would be no reason for her to end up in the undercover Columbus police officer’s car who shot and killed her.
4
93
154
People should be free to choose how they use their bodies for work. Sex work should be fully decriminalized.
3
35
161
When I was working as a sex worker some men would be surprised if I declined to see them, like they thought they were entitled to me if they were willing to pay. It turns out sex workers have agency.
3
17
150
If a man isn’t comfortable with me being a former sex worker I loose interest pretty quickly in dating him.
5
16
169
San Francisco DA has a new policy: Sex workers who report certain crimes will not be prosecuted for prostitution or petty drug crimes. A step in the right direction, but until sex work is decriminalized many sex workers will not want to engage with police.
9
59
154
It turns out sex workers don’t sell their bodies for sex. They don’t loose a piece of themselves every time they exchange money for sex.
7
23
143
Criminalizing sex work doesn't make sex workers safer. "Bolster harm reduction within the sex trade to arm sex workers with the knowledge and resources necessary to prevent and respond to violence and exploitation within their work and personal lives."
1
69
165
If someone comes out to you as a sex worker: Don't question their choice. Listen to them. Don't reduce them to being only a sex worker, this is just one part of their life. Respect their privacy. Learn about why sex workers want sex work to be fully decriminalized.
3
32
147
The Nordic Model criminalizes those who buy sexual services, but not sex workers. This does not make sex workers safer. Sex work should be fully decriminalized.
6
42
149
After being a sex worker for so many years, it's still strange sometimes to be in the spaces I'm in now as an attorney. But the feeling that I don't belong here is finally going away.
8
2
151
"Sex workers and their advocates across the country agree that the movement towards decriminalization must allow those with experience in the sex industry to build their own policies."
2
50
136
Sex work should be decriminalized, not legalized. The legalized model still criminalizes sex workers who can't fulfill various bureaucratic responsibilities and makes the situation of those who are already marginalized more precarious.
2
60
129
Koko Da Doll, who was featured in “Kokomo City,” a documentary about four Black transgender sex workers, was fatally shot in Atlanta. We must end violence against Black and Brown trans women. And decriminalize sex work.
0
87
139
“Any system that increases contact between sex workers and police [is] actually putting sex workers in danger.” Decriminalize sex work.
0
60
124
"To end sex trafficking, stop arresting sex workers. Driving sex work further underground makes it harder to help trafficking victims and hurts those people who choose sex work." by
@LuxAlptraum
4
51
122
I want to live in a society where sex workers are not living in the shadows, & are able to move freely in & out of sex work without stigma.
0
28
113
Last year, Kamala Harris helped champion FOSTA. Sex workers and advocacy groups warned that this piece of legislation would have a disastrous impact on sex workers’ lives — and they were right.
1
59
120
Almost didn't go to law school. Almost didn't become an attorney. Was worried that my experience doing sex work would hold me back. Thankfully, it hasn't. Sex work should be decriminalized, not only for those currently doing sex work but also for those who want to transition out.
1
23
129
Police who arrest people who are seeking consensual sex, and call it sex trafficking, should have their sex trafficking units defunded.
0
40
115
When I was working in the sex industry I identified as a sex worker more than I identified by the particular type of sex work I did. While I'm aware there are varying degrees of risk of harm in doing sex work (legal, physical, reputational), we must make sex work safer for all.
2
19
129
Stopped today and reflected on where I have come from. When I was a sex worker I decided I wanted to become an attorney. One day at a time I have transformed my life and have been an attorney for several years now. Sex workers need rights, not rescue. Decriminalize sex work.
0
17
116
Proponents of FOSTA-SESTA claimed it would reduce exploitation, but as sex workers warned it has led to more exploitative relationships. Meanwhile, it didn’t remove predatory opportunists from the internet — it appears to have emboldened them.
3
76
112
Seeing a district attorney candidate stand with sex workers and support fully decriminalizing sex work makes my heart so full.
My heart is so full. Today was truly incredible.
Many photos and videos forthcoming, but wanted to say thank you to all of the sex workers, sex work activists, and those who have joined us in the fight for full decriminalization of sex work who came out today.
11
84
530
3
18
117
The federal application for COVID-19 related disaster relief for small businesses disqualifies any applicant whose business is of a "prurient sexual nature.” This is yet another reason why sex work should be decriminalized.
9
60
105
Because I was a sex worker for 6 years it would be a challenge for me to pass a character and fitness investigation to get admitted to the bar in most states. However, my experience being a sex worker I think has strengthened my character and fitness to be an attorney,
5
12
102
The stigma attached to sex work can be socially isolating. Decriminalize and destigmatize sex work to make sex workers physically and emotionally safer.
0
43
96
When I was a sex worker advertising online was essential to running my own business, screening my clients, and staying safe. SESTA/FOSTA is destroying a key harm reduction tool for sex workers.
0
23
92
This week, Hawaii became the first state in the U.S. to remove a requirement that a person be a victim of sex trafficking to have a prostitution conviction removed from their criminal record. This clears a barrier for those who want to leave the sex trade.
4
25
104
Consensual sex shouldn't be a crime. Exchanging sex for money doesn't negate consent. Sex work should be fully decriminalized.
3
17
98
The stigma attached to sex work increases the social cost of working in the sex trade. Sex work should be destigmatized and decriminalized.
2
15
95
Sex trafficking is horrible. That's why it's so powerful for police to use the guise of arresting sex traffickers to arrest adults who are engaging in the consensual exchange of sex and money. When you read about sex trafficking busts look to see who is actually being arrested.
5
39
99
All 50 states allow cops to engage in sexual contact with sex workers they want to arrest. This should be outlawed.
7
87
98
Porn stars speak out about online harassment. “What people write on my social media timeline is straight-up sexual harassment. ... They say things like, ‘Oh, I’m going to f*ck you in your ass.’ Would you say that to literally any other human being? No.”
5
51
94
The Nordic Model is not the decriminalization of sex work. It treats sex workers as victims but still criminalizes people who pay for sex. This pushes sex work further underground and doesn't make sex workers safer.
3
33
100
To every sex worker or former sex worker thinking about running — who doesn’t have the money or support or know where to start: We also need you to run.
To every young person, woman, and queer person, every black and brown person thinking about running — who doesn’t have the money or support or know where to start: We need you to run.
33
340
2K
4
23
94
Not only has
@CabanForQueens
spoken out in support of decriminalizing sex work in her decarceral campaign for Queens District Attorney, she also has proudly spoken of sex workers as allies in the fight to end mass incarceration. This is groundbreaking.
When you have formerly incarcerated folks, sex workers, undocumented immigrants, and our local and national elected officials coming on board and fighting this fight with us, you know we’re doing something special.
Election Day is tomorrow! Let’s do this.
13
199
723
2
34
86
The criminalization of sex work reinforces the stigmatization of all sex workers, even those who are working in legal parts of the sex industry. Sex work should be fully decriminalized.
1
33
88
A recent op-ed in the New York Times argues that “sex work is an inappropriate phrase because it is neither sex nor work.” Actually, it is both. And decriminalizing sex work would reduce the risk of harm to sex workers.
1
35
91
Someone recently asked me about my background before I became an attorney. I omitted the part about being a sex worker for 6 years. I was reminded that sex work stigmatization & criminalization can lead to self-silencing, living in the shadows, & limiting personal connections.
2
17
84
As a former sex worker, I was so moved to see Tiffany Cabán speak out in support of decriminalizing sex work throughout her decarceral campaign for Queens District Attorney and recognize sex workers as allies in the fight to end mass incarceration.
This was always about more than one person or one campaign—this is about building a movement together.
The organizing does not stop. And we’re just getting started.
66
189
2K
0
13
91
It's OK for a sex worker to not like their job all of the time. Do you like your job all of the time?
4
11
74
“Criminalization [of sex work] increases barriers to safety in every form—housing, health care, child care & parental rights, & familial & social support." Bernie Sanders, do you support decimalization? His reply: "I want to hear all sides of the issue.”
6
34
86
Before I became an attorney, I was a sex worker for several years. It's an important part of my personal history. Shaped who I am today. But often a tough call about when I share this when dating.
4
6
86