Open AccessSex Work and Social Media: Online Advocacy Strategies
Author(s) -
Emma E. Duke,
Kathleen C. Sitter,
Nicole Boggan
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
cultural and pedagogical inquiry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1916-3460
DOI - 10.18733/cpi29372
Subject(s) - social media , public relations , dissemination , work (physics) , social work , service (business) , political science , sex work , business , marketing , engineering , medicine , mechanical engineering , family medicine , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , law
Online communication continues to provide opportunities to connect, mobilize and disseminate information amongst direct service organizations. While the use of social media among non-profits continues to expand, there is a paucity of research that documents the extent to which online channels – particularly social media – are adopted and used amongst organizations that support sex workers. Online advocacy efforts have grown over the last decade, with sex workers and non-profit organizations at the forefront. This article evaluates the presence and social media strategies amongst organizations providing direct services for sex workers in Canada. Eighty-seven organizations operating in Canada were examined to assess both the types of social media channels used, and the online strategies employed. Results indicate there is a propensity for agencies to engage in multiple social media platforms with spaces for service users to post information in lieu of static sites that predominantly support one-way communication. Recommendations and best practices include integrating postings across platforms for efficiency, developing and maintaining safe spaces online, and focusing on channels that support multilogue communication.Keywords: Sex work, social media, knowledge