Swopbehindbars - Podcast Details

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SWOP Behind Bars storiesWeekend Hot Takes: About the Epstein “List”The sex worker rights movement has long explored how the public—and too often, the courts—struggle to grasp the realities of exploitation, especially when it hides behind wealth, consent, or celebrity. We’ve written about coercion, manipulation, and the blurry gray lines that survivors are expected to define in black and white. But there’s something else we need to talk about. Something that resurfaces every few months like clockwork: The Epstein “client list.” Where is it? Who’s on it? When will it be released? 2025-07-2108 min

SWOP Behind Bars storiesWhy Carceral Feminism Gets Consent Wrong (Again)Spoiler: If your feminism relies on police and prisons, it’s not protecting us—it’s punishing us. For a movement that claims to be rooted in liberation, carceral feminism sure loves a cage. At its core, carceral feminism is the belief that the best—or only—way to address gender-based violence is through criminalization, policing, and punishment. It rose to prominence in the 1990s alongside tough-on-crime policies and second-wave calls for legal reform. And on the surface, it sounds reasonable: violence against women is bad, so let’s punish the people who commit it. Simple, righ...2025-07-1806 min

SWOP Behind Bars storiesWhen the Bottom Falls Out: The Long-Term Damage of Today’s “Temporary” Economic CrisesMass layoffs are sweeping through sectors most folks never imagined would be touched: the National Park Service. The National Weather Service. The arts. The These aren’t just bureaucracies or background institutions—they’re pillars of our society. When they crumble, they don’t fall in isolation. They take whole communities with them. 2025-07-1407 min

SWOP Behind Bars storiesThe Gray is Real: The Complicated Nuance of Consent in Sex WorkConsent is often framed as a clean, binary decision: yes or no. Thumbs up or down. Red light, green light. But in sex work—and, honestly, in most parts of life—it’s never that simple. Consent is a spectrum, and anyone who’s ever worked in the industry can tell you: the messiest parts of our labor live in the in-between. 2025-07-1103 min

SWOP Behind Bars storiesThe Sean Combs Verdict, and the Misunderstanding of ExploitationCoercion Without Chains The prosecution didn’t rely on sensational imagery of kidnapping or armed threats. Instead, they introduced a more unsettling and nuanced concept: coercive control—a sustained pattern of emotional abuse, surveillance, and violence that distorts intimacy and erodes autonomy. 2025-07-0707 min

SWOP Behind Bars storiesCollege After IncarcerationOne of the most immediate and damaging barriers is the college admissions process itself. Many schools still include criminal history questions on their applications—known as “the box.” While “Ban the Box” efforts have succeeded in pushing back on this in employment and housing, college applications remain a site of unchecked bias. Applicants with records are often forced to write justification essays or go through special disciplinary review boards that operate with little transparency or appeal. 2025-07-0407 min

SWOP Behind Bars storiesCorrespondence Course Hustle — Higher Education from a CellFor most people, the idea of college brings to mind lecture halls, laptops, and late-night study sessions. But for incarcerated women—especially survivors of trafficking and violence—higher education looks very different. It’s not about campus tours or dorm life. It’s about handwritten essays, 37-page packets, weeks of waiting for feedback, and figuring out how to pay for a textbook with commissary wages. In this second post of our six-part series, we follow Cassandra’s journey through a prison-based paralegal course—one she tackled without internet, support, or even reliable mail service. What she endured wasn’t just a course...2025-07-0308 min

SWOP Behind Bars storiesSeen but Still Silenced: The Complicated Gratitude of the Sex Worker Rights MovementWhen a certain child rescue organization—you know, the one whose name sounds like a Christian indie band—published their recent reflection titled “Mistakes happen in anti-trafficking work. We must learn from them,” a strange thing happened across the sex worker rights community. We collectively blinked. Really slowly. Not in shock, but in that tired, long-suffering way you blink when someone finally repeats back something you’ve been saying for twenty years and calls it a revelation. 2025-06-3006 min

SWOP Behind Bars storiesClassroom Contraband — What They Don’t Teach You in PrisonFor years, prisons were called “crime schools” because people learned more about how to survive in the underground economy than how to build a stable life. But over the past two decades, peer educators, survivor-led programs, and small but mighty prison college initiatives have begun to shift that narrative. Inside, women are not just learning—they’re teaching. They’re guiding each other through case law, GED exams, and grief recovery. They’re mentoring each other, mapping out legal strategies, and explaining reproductive health when medical staff won’t. 2025-06-2708 min

SWOP Behind Bars storiesTariffs and other Economic Nonsense - When Protection Becomes the ProblemRemember when tariffs were marketed as the golden ticket to economic salvation? They were supposed to protect American jobs, revive domestic industry, and punish “bad actors” overseas. Just slap a tax on imports, they said, and factories would roar back to life. Jobs would multiply. Wages would rise. The middle class would thrive. Spoiler alert: they didn’t. 2025-06-2504 min

SWOP Behind Bars storiesWeekend Hot Takes - The Most Expensive DUI in MA historyThis week Karen Read of Massachusetts was found Not Guilty by a jury of her peers, regarding the suspicious death of her then-boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe in 2021. Here's what Blair Hopkins, Executive Director has to say about that! 2025-06-2304 min

SWOP Behind Bars storiesDegrees of Separation: Why We Must Redefine What Counts as EducationFor criminalized women—especially those who’ve survived trafficking, incarceration, and generational poverty—the idea of “formal education” often feels like a fortress: high walls, locked gates, and a very specific key held by someone on the other side. If you didn’t get your high school diploma at 18 or walk across a stage in a cap and gown, you’re somehow seen as less equipped, less capable, less… educated. But let’s break down how that gatekeeping actually works. 2025-06-2209 min

SWOP Behind Bars storiesTop Ten Myths and Misconceptions About the Adult Industry—And the Truth Behind ThemLet’s be real—if myths about sex work were dollar bills, every stripper in America would be retired by now, sipping cocktails on a beach somewhere and finally getting paid what she's worth. But instead of cashing in, sex workers are still stuck cashing out the emotional and legal damage from decades of moral panic and misinformation. These tired narratives don’t just misinform—they fuel stigma, drive harmful legislation, justify police violence, and shape the way society treats people who trade sex for survival, for empowerment, or simply because it pays the bills. They show up in co...2025-06-1811 min

SWOP Behind Bars storiesWeekend Hot Takes - A Country in ChaosHope your coffee is strong and your boundaries stronger, because this weekend delivered a full-course meal of carceral nonsense, QAnon fever dreams, ICE agents crashing into elementary school zones, and a grown man throwing himself a military parade for his birthday. So yeah—just another totally normal weekend in the land of the free 2025-06-1606 min

SWOP Behind Bars storiesDegrees of Survival — When Learning Is a Lifeline for Trafficking SurvivorsEducation is one of the few concrete tools that can reduce the risk of re-exploitation. Survivors who are able to return to school—whether to finish a GED, complete a college degree, or learn a trade—gain more than academic knowledge. They gain economic mobility, self-efficacy, a supportive peer community, and the tools to advocate for themselves in complex systems. Studies consistently show that financial insecurity is one of the primary drivers of trafficking and exploitation. Survivors without access to income—especially those exiting jails, shelters, or unstable living environments—are at significant risk of being retrafficked. Education, especially when pai...2025-06-1310 min

SWOP Behind Bars storiesFriday the 13th, Prank Calls, and Trafficking Conspiracies We Wish We Made UpThere’s something about Friday the 13th that makes people lose their ever-loving minds. Maybe it’s the full moon vibes. Maybe it’s too much true crime TV. Maybe it’s just the collective unraveling of common sense. Either way, if you run a sex worker support hotline like we do, you know it’s gonna be a wild ride. 2025-06-1205 min

SWOP Behind Bars storiesWhen Feminism Wears Lip Gloss: How Pink Patriarchy Undermines the Fight for LiberationThere’s a version of feminism out there that wears a pussyhat, clutches her pearls, and still calls the manager when a sex worker speaks at a panel. She’s the board member who proudly posts “women supporting women” selfies, yet signs off on policies that systematically exclude trans women, criminalized mothers, and survivors who sell sex just to stay housed. She believes in women’s empowerment—as long as it arrives wrapped in a college degree, a polished LinkedIn profile, and a sworn rejection of OnlyFans. 2025-06-1104 min

SWOP Behind Bars storiesWeekend Hot Takes - The Los Angeles ResistanceThis past weekend, Los Angeles found itself at the epicenter of a fierce showdown: thousands hit the streets in defiance of ICE raids and the sudden deployment of the California National Guard—ordered directly by former President Trump. Protesters blocked freeways, clashed with law enforcement, and even set a few cars ablaze in a wave of collective outrage. Tear gas, flash-bangs, rubber bullets—the headlines read like a war zone. 2025-06-0904 min

SWOP Behind Bars storiesThe GED Gap — Why Basic Education Still Isn’t Basic (Especially if You're a Woman in a CageThe GED Gap — Why Basic Education Still Isn’t Basic (Especially if You're a Woman in a Cage Let’s be clear: education has always been hyped as “the great equalizer.” A ladder out of poverty. A ticket to freedom. Blah blah bootstrap narrative. But for incarcerated women—especially survivors of trafficking, abuse, and generational poverty—education isn’t just inaccessible, it’s practically mythical. We’re talking about women who’ve been locked out long before they were locked up. And yet, somehow, a GED still manages to be treated like a luxury item instead of a baseline...2025-05-3107 min

SWOP Behind Bars stories“I Don’t Want You to Worry About Me”: A Letter No Mother Should Ever Have to WriteAshley’s only “crime” was surviving. Years earlier, she had been trafficked. Then criminalized. Then released. And like so many others, when resources ran out and opportunities closed, she turned back to the only means of survival she knew. The system didn’t offer support. It offered a cell. And when she asked for help—real help, in the form of a diversion program—they slammed the door in her face. She was taken from court the next morning. Cuffed, processed, gone. Just like she knew she would be. 2025-05-2804 min

SWOP Behind Bars storiesModels for Change: Community-led and policy-driven solutions that center healing and equityWe’ve spent the last five blog posts tracing the landscape of reproductive injustice, pregnancy and birth behind bars, mental health neglect, and the painful gaps that derail reentry for women who’ve been incarcerated. And now, in this final post, we turn toward hope and action. Because while the criminal legal system continues to fail women—especially Black, brown, trans, disabled, and low-income women—communities are leading the way in building alternatives that center healing, not harm. 2025-05-2303 min

SWOP Behind Bars storiesYou Can Know Your Rights, But What If No One’s Listening?You can memorize your rights. Recite them perfectly. Take every workshop. Say the magic words: “I don’t consent to a search.” “I want a lawyer.” You can be calm, compliant, well-documented, and still—it might not matter. Because what happens when no one’s listening? What happens when the rules are rewritten mid-game? 2025-05-2102 min

SWOP Behind Bars storiesBarriers to Reentry: How inadequate healthcare behind bars sets women up to fail once they’re releasedThe moment a woman is released from incarceration is supposed to mark a new beginning. But for many, especially those with untreated health conditions, trauma, or chronic illnesses, reentry is more like walking off a cliff with no net below. Incarcerated women often leave prison or jail with no medical records, no prescriptions, no referrals, and no support. After months—or years—of inadequate care, their health needs remain unresolved or even worsened, putting them at higher risk of housing instability, unemployment, relapse, and re-incarceration. 2025-05-1605 min

SWOP Behind Bars storiesLove in the Time of ResistanceHow Advocates at SWOP Behind Bars Use Love Languages to Support Our People At SWOP Behind Bars, we don't just talk about justice—we embody it. And let’s be real: in this work, survival alone isn't the goal. We're here for thriving. That means care that's intentional, compassion that's culturally competent, and connection that doesn't vanish when the paperwork's done. Our team isn’t made up of robots or case numbers—we’re human beings who show up with heart. We laugh, we cry, we vent about bureaucracy, and we love big. One of our favorite ways to th...2025-05-1407 min

SWOP Behind Bars storiesWhy aren't Sex Workers used as Tools for Good?Here’s the million-dollar question—and it says more about society’s deep-seated stigma than it ever will about the capability, wisdom, or contributions of sex workers and sex worker rights activists: Why aren’t sex workers being recognized and utilized as powerful tools in the fight for good and evil? It’s a question that should make everyone uncomfortable, because the answer isn’t rooted in a lack of experience, insight, or leadership from sex workers—it’s rooted in bias. Despite being frontline experts in resilience, harm reduction, crisis navigation, and community care, sex workers are often excluded from po...2025-05-0805 min

SWOP Behind Bars storiesReclaiming May Day: Including Sex Workers in the Labor MovementOn this International Workers' Day, Swap Behind Bars highlights the often-overlooked contributions of sex workers to the labor movement. While rallies and marches pay tribute to labor movements across the globe, sex workers frequently find themselves excluded from these narratives. This episode underscores the simple yet powerful message: sex work is work. By exploring the diverse forms of labor sex workers engage in, we delve into the challenges they face, from criminalization to lack of fair working conditions. The episode also revisits the radical roots of May Day, drawing parallels between past labor struggles and the current...2025-04-3003 min

SWOP Behind Bars storiesEconomic Basics: Supply, Demand, Tariffs, and the Sex TradeSupply and demand determine the price of goods and services. This is just a fact—and facts matter. High demand or low supply raises prices; low demand or high supply lowers them. Tariffs—taxes on imports—disrupt this balance by artificially increasing the cost of goods and services. This basic principle of economics has been proven true since the dawn of time. Yet somehow, it remains an inconvenient truth for End Demand supporters and all their ideological reboots—the Nordic Model, Swedish Model, Equality Model, whatever they're branding it this week. End Demand theory tries to twist...2025-04-3008 min

SWOP Behind Bars storiesMental Health and Trauma: The cycle of incarceration and untreated traumaFor many incarcerated women, jail or prison isn’t the beginning of a crisis—it’s the continuation of one. Behind the statistics of who ends up behind bars is a stark and painful truth: most incarcerated women have experienced serious trauma long before they ever committed a crime. 2025-04-2505 min

SWOP Behind Bars storiesReproductive Injustice: How jails and prisons violate the reproductive rights of incarcerated womenThis episode delves into the harrowing experiences of Tasha, a pregnant woman incarcerated in a county jail, shedding light on the broader issue of reproductive injustice in U.S. prisons and jails. Tasha's ordeal highlights the systemic neglect and denial of reproductive rights faced by incarcerated women, often subjected to inadequate medical care and forced into shattering decisions without autonomy. We explore how incarcerated pregnant individuals are frequently shackled during labor, denied access to essential prenatal care, and separated from their newborns, compounding trauma and undermining mental health. This episode underscores the urgent need for structural reform...2025-04-2005 min

SWOP Behind Bars storiesShackled and Silent: A Prisoner's Painful Journey Through Reproductive InjusticeThis episode uncovers the harrowing realities of reproductive injustice faced by incarcerated women in the United States. Through the story of Maria, a pregnant woman who endured severe neglect and loss while behind bars, we explore how systemic failures in carceral settings deny women their reproductive rights. Despite condemnation and existing legislation, pregnant prisoners often face shackling, inadequate medical care, and forced separation from their newborns, resulting in deep trauma and unresolved grief. This narrative compels a broader discussion about public health, racial justice, and dismantling oppressive systems to ensure every woman’s right to autonomy and dignified reproductive ca...2025-04-2005 min

SWOP Behind Bars storiesForgotten Behind Bars — Centering Equity in Women’s Health in Prisons and JailsWhen we talk about mass incarceration in the United States, the conversation often centers around numbers—how many people are locked up, how long they’ve been there, and what it costs. But behind those numbers are real people, and among them are women whose specific health needs are often ignored, neglected, or misunderstood. This post kicks off a six-part series examining equity in women’s health care within prisons and jails, inspired by the powerful work of researchers and advocates like Dr. Carolyn Sufrin and her co-authors. Their 2021 article, “Women’s Health Care in the Criminal Justice Sy...2025-04-2008 min

SWOP Behind Bars storiesBreaking The Trauma Bond of Anti TraffickingA trauma bond is a strong emotional attachment that develops out of a cycle of abuse, reward, and intermittent validation. It’s often seen in abusive relationships, cults, and manipulative institutions. The bond forms not despite the harm, but because the harm is tangled up with moments of care, dependency, or survival. In many anti-trafficking spaces today, survivors face a coercive script. They are often nudged—whether by advocates, funders, or media producers—to shape their stories around the most horrific, cinematic tropes: organized crime, foreign traffickers, violent pimps, and miraculous rescues. The system rewards extremity and punish...2025-04-1409 min

SWOP Behind Bars storiesBuilding the Trust Operating System: A Necessity for SuccessIn this episode, we delve into the vital role of trust in shaping our organizations and communities. Trust acts like the core operating system, influencing how effectively we organize, collaborate, and care for one another. When trust is low, costs increase, speed decreases, and relationships falter, leading to a systemic breakdown. However, high-trust environments foster speedier decision-making, creativity, and resilience, transforming potential into performance. We explore the real-world applications of trust, from support groups to non-profits, and illustrate how trust can be nurtured through consistency, transparency, and accountability. This episode emphasizes that building trust is a fundamental...2025-04-0504 min

SWOP Behind Bars storiesThe Evolving Landscape of Women’s RightsThe feminist movement has led to profound changes, granting women the right to vote, expanding educational and professional opportunities, and challenging traditional gender norms. These victories, however, were not without their flaws—early efforts often excluded marginalized groups, leaving wage disparities, workplace harassment, and underrepresentation unaddressed. Rather than a failure, feminism and its reluctant willingness to evolve according to the politics and challenges that arise must be viewed as an ongoing struggle that adapts to societal changes while continuously striving for inclusivity. 2025-02-2609 min

SWOP Behind Bars storiesHealthcare in Womens Prisons - Gaps and SolutionsIn recent decades, the issue of healthcare for incarcerated women has emerged as a critical area of concern. Although prisons and jails strive to provide essential medical services, significant gaps remain—especially during the transition back into society. Women behind bars face unique and complex health challenges that differ significantly from those encountered by their male counterparts, and these differences are compounded by a rapid increase in the female prison population. The growth in the number of incarcerated women is not merely a reflection of rising crime rates; it is deeply intertwined with broader systemic issues. Harsh dr...2025-02-2408 min

Get Schooled Podcast"Unveiling SWOP Behind Bars"Blair HopkinsExecutive DirectorHopkins has nearly two decades of logistics and program development/management experience across the public, private, non-profit and freelance sectors. Hopkins has managed large-scale, short-and-medium term project implementations on tight deadlines as a supervisor with the US Census bureau and as a post-disaster response subcontractor for FEMA. Her infrastructure expertise comes from her work in aerospace as a Best Practices Development Manager, and from maintenance of the SWOP Behind Bars Inc staff. Hopkins has extensive experience with large-scale project management, crisis response, specializing in establishing goals and deadlines. Blair owns 2 dogs, 10 cats, 30 Ch...2025-02-241h 01

SWOP Behind Bars storiesJoey The Player Sentenced to the MaxOn Wednesday, June 26th, 2024 #JoeyThePlayer, José Olivio Torres was sentenced to 30 years in prison for 4 counts of #SexTrafficking related charges, specifically “enticement” and “coercion” to cross state lines for the purposes of prostitution. No victims or survivors were arrested in the investigation or court proceedings of this case. He was brought to justice by sex workers who came forward and reported his violence to the FBI with the assistance of an attorney. 2025-02-2111 min

SWOP Behind Bars storiesThe Intersection of Poverty, Environment and Sexual HealthGenerational poverty and environmental issues are deeply intertwined, creating a cycle that perpetuates socioeconomic disparities. Environmental challenges, such as climate change and pollution, disproportionately affect impoverished communities, leading to adverse health outcomes, including compromised sexual and reproductive health. This intersection exacerbates existing inequalities and hinders efforts to break the cycle of poverty. The intersection of environmental issues and generational poverty has been extensively studied. The Ballard Brief by Brigham Young University discusses how intergenerational poverty leads to unsafe living conditions and increased health risks, including exposure to environmental hazards. Additionally, the concept of environmental racism highlights how...2025-02-1808 min

SWOP Behind Bars storiesGenerational Poverty Impact on Sexual HealthGenerational poverty creates significant barriers to sexual health by limiting access to education, healthcare, and economic stability. Individuals born into poverty often face inadequate sex education, restricted access to contraception and reproductive healthcare, and higher rates of sexual exploitation and violence. Systemic inequalities, such as lack of affordable healthcare and stigmatization of marginalized communities, further contribute to higher rates of sexually transmitted infections, unplanned pregnancies, and poor overall reproductive health outcomes. Breaking this cycle requires comprehensive policy changes, community support, and increased access to resources that empower individuals to make informed decisions about their sexual well-being. 2025-02-1809 min

SWOP Behind Bars storiesThe Power of Crucial Conversations for ChangeCrucial conversations are the foundation of meaningful change in the fight for sex worker rights. These high-stakes discussions span policy debates, personal relationships, and public narratives, significantly impacting legislation and social conditions for sex workers. Despite the discomfort they may bring, engaging in these dialogues is essential to challenge harmful policies and reshape perceptions. 2025-02-1404 min

SWOP Behind Bars storiesThe Super Bowl Bail Out Wrap Up Super Bowl Bail Out Wrap UpThe Super Bowl has long been a magnet for sensationalized anti-trafficking narratives that often result in the criminalization of consensual adult sex workers and their clients. However, this year in New Orleans marked a shift—there were no arrests of adult consensual workers or their clients under the usual rhetoric. The Sex Worker Super Bowl Bail Out, typically focused on freeing sex workers impacted by these crackdowns, played a notably different role as the city simply chose not to waste resources on such stings. 2025-02-1006 min

SWOP Behind Bars storiesAmazon Wishlists - Empowerment Through LearningThe Amazon Wishlist Program through SWOP Behind Bars is more than just a means of providing material support—it is a beacon of hope and a gateway to education, self-empowerment, and personal growth for incarcerated sex workers and survivors of trafficking. By offering access to books, learning resources, and essential items tailored to individual needs, this program helps foster opportunities for transformation, even within the restrictive confines of incarceration. 2025-01-2308 min

SWOP Behind Bars storiesBecoming a Mentor By Mail to an Incarcerated Sex Worker or Trafficking Survivor: A Guide to Making a Meaningful ConnectionIncarceration can be one of the most isolating experiences a person can endure, especially for sex workers and survivors of trafficking. For these individuals, receiving a letter in the mail is more than just a communication—it’s a lifeline, a moment of human connection in an otherwise dehumanizing system. Whether handwritten or sent electronically through secure prison email systems, letters remind people behind bars that they are not forgotten and that someone cares about their humanity and story. At SWOP Behind Bars, we believe in the power of correspondence to uplift, empower, and advocate for those who...2025-01-1314 min

SWOP Behind Bars storiesOn the Super Bowl, Safety and SolidarityEvery year, around this time, the airwaves in whatever city is hosting the Super Bowl are flooded with public services announcements about sex trafficking. Billboards go up. Police officers receive special training. Media asks organizations that work to reduce trafficking to comment on the “biggest sex trafficking event of the year.” There is no evidence that the actual volume of sex trafficking increases as a result of the Super Bowl. More importantly, we collectively try to make the point that the hype often leads to a damaging response - arresting people who are directly selling sex. Hist...2025-01-1207 min

SWOP Behind Bars stories10 Days In -How Survivors see themselves in a new Residential ProgramSurvivors bring with them a unique set of survival skills honed through their lived experiences of exploitation and violence. These skills, developed under extreme circumstances, often become essential tools as they navigate the challenges of entering a new residential program. During the first 10 days, survivors may rely on these skills in various ways as they work to establish their own sense of safety and control in an unfamiliar environment. 2024-12-2714 min

SWOP Behind Bars storiesBehind The Rescue DoorFor survivors of exploitation, and particularly with multiple intersecting issues like domestic violence, Gender Based Violence, arrest and incarceration, making the decision to step into an anti-trafficking program can feel like entering a new and daunting world—one with potential opportunities for healing, but also defined by rules, expectations, and barriers that can feel overwhelming. These programs, while designed to provide safety and resources, often require survivors to navigate strict eligibility criteria, rigid guidelines, and limited support systems that may not fully address the complex and intersecting challenges they face. 2024-12-2618 min

SWOP Behind Bars storiesUnlocking Second Chances: The Role of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Support for Women Transitioning from PrisonWomen in prison face deeply interconnected challenges of untreated mental health conditions and substance abuse issues. These struggles often persist after release, compounded by systemic barriers such as stigma, housing instability, and limited access to healthcare. 2024-11-3016 min

SWOP Behind Bars storiesMass Incarceration: The Invisible Chains in Women's PrisonsMass incarceration is not merely a statistical issue; it is a profound human rights crisis, disproportionately impacting women, especially those who are LGBTQIA+, people of color, or women who use drugs. 2024-11-3006 min

SWOP Behind Bars storiesGBI and IPV, and Their Impact on Healthcare in Women’s Prisons and JailsGender-based violence (GBV) and intimate partner violence (IPV) are pervasive issues that disproportionately affect women, and their impact often extends far beyond the immediate harm inflicted. For incarcerated women, these experiences can deeply influence their health and access to care. In the United States, where women represent the fastest-growing segment of the prison population, the intersection of GBV, IPV, and incarceration presents a critical yet largely overlooked public health crisis.2024-11-3006 min

SWOP Behind Bars storiesWhat is Trauma Informed Care?Trauma-informed care (TIC) is an approach to healthcare, social services, and corrections that recognizes the widespread impact of trauma and seeks to create safe, supportive environments for healing. It acknowledges the role trauma plays in shaping an individual’s behavior, decisions, and overall well-being. Specific to sex workers and survivors of sex trafficking, trauma-informed care centers their lived experiences, avoiding practices that could retraumatize them while promoting empowerment and self-determination. 2024-11-2419 min

SWOP Behind Bars storiesThe Overlooked Health Crisis Women’s Healthcare Challenges in Prisons and JailsIncarcerated women face a myriad of health challenges, both during their time in jail and upon reentry into society. A 2014 study titled "Health Priorities among Women Recently Released from Jail" sheds light on these challenges and offers valuable insights into the health priorities of these women. Incarcerated women face a multitude of health challenges that are often more severe than those experienced by their male counterparts. These challenges encompass physical health issues, mental health disorders, substance use disorders, and reproductive health concerns. The 2024 Womens Mass Incarceration Prison Policy Initiative Report has considerably updated public data regarding the status of...2024-11-2416 min

SWOP Behind Bars storiesWhy is Listening to Sex Workers so Hard?The anti-trafficking movement has faced significant criticism over the years, and for good reason. The reliance on law enforcement’s “arrest-and-sort-it-out-later” approach to exploitation is riddled with systemic flaws. Rooted in biases, inequalities, and a lack of trauma-informed care, this strategy often exacerbates harm rather than offering solutions. Instead of addressing the needs of survivors and sex workers, it perpetuates cycles of poverty, criminalization, and marginalization, leaving the very individuals it claims to protect even more vulnerable. 2024-11-2205 min

SWOP Behind Bars storiesWhat The F%&$ Do We Do Now?As the dust settles on yet another intense election season, we’re left with the burning question: What the f&$ do we do now?* Whether you’re reeling from a tough outcome or cautiously optimistic, the road ahead can feel both daunting and uncertain. At SWOP Behind Bars, we want to channel this energy into real, tangible action that aligns with our core mission: supporting sex workers and those impacted by the criminal justice system. 2024-11-2114 min

SWOP Behind Bars storiesThe Future of End Demand InitiativesWe already know End Demand Tactics don't work but the long term implications on individuals and families is devastating to communities. If we truly desire to move forward, it’s crucial to reevaluate the effectiveness and humanity of end-demand initiatives. Policies meant to reduce harm should not create new cycles of poverty, trauma, and family destruction. Instead, we must prioritize interventions that address the root causes of systemic inequality and exploitation, offering real support to those impacted. 2024-11-2112 min

SWOP Behind Bars storiesWhat’s up with Grady Judd?For over a decade, Sheriff Grady Judd has been "fighting sex trafficking" in Polk County—Florida's fourth largest county by area and eighth largest by population—through high-profile human trafficking stings and dramatic YouTube videos. Judd even maintains his own YouTube channel, where he recounts recent arrests with flair, displaying mugshots on large placards and issuing widely distributed press releases. His most recent sting targeted Asian massage parlors, sparking significant controversy within advocacy spaces. Referred to as “The Joe Arpaio of Florida,” Judd has both staunch supporters and vocal critics. 2024-11-2015 min

They Talk SexThe Internet Pornmaking Episode 3Pomma is a xxx content creator who tirelessly informs followers on news, legislation, harm reduction practices, and hazards related to online sex work and adult industry work. Let's talk!4:00 what kind of work?7:00 money is tight for many 10:00 socialized to be performative as youth13:00 banned from social media ooops16:00 FOSTA SESTA19:00 facial recognition and TSA22:00 will this get me evicted?27:00 when your beloved sugar daddy dies30:00 the athletes of sex workers 35:00 thick models like London Andrews, Valentine Vo...2024-05-271h 06

culturalstudiesLauren Levitt, Elizabeth Dayton, and Ayanna Dozier on sex-worker art, “rescue,” criminalization, zinesLauren Levitt, Elizabeth Dayton, and Ayanna Dozier on sex-worker art, autobiography, transactional intimacy, power, humor, alliance, Veil Machine, Red Canary Song, Butterfly, “rescue,” criminalization, zines, fashion You can read about Lauren, Elizabeth, Ayanna, and links related to their interests here: https://twitter.com/LaurenLevitt8 https://dozierayanna.com/home.html https://veilmachine.com/ http://sexworkerfest.com/about.html https://www.redcanarysong.net/ https://www.butterflysw.org/ https://sxhxcollective.org/about/ https://decodingstigma.tech/ https://www.swopbehindbars.org/ 2024-04-0949 min

Adult Site Broker TalkAdult Site Broker Talk Episode 197 With Blair Hopkins Of SWOP Behind BarsBlair Hopkins of SWOP Behind Bars is this week’s guest on Adult Site Broker Talk. SWOP Behind Bars is a non-profit service organization that is based on human rights, harm reduction, services provision, and prison and jail outreach. They make their services available to all people in the sex trade, both current and former, through their Sex Worker Community Support line and associated chat feature. They work directly with sex workers and survivors of human trafficking who have also experienced incarceration, as well as people who are seeking peer support, resource referrals, and crisis care. They ensure that incarcerated co...2024-03-2639 min

The Sexy Escort GuideEpisode 111 - The Global Fight Against Violence Targeting Sex WorkersJoin us in this powerful episode as we commemorate the 20th anniversary of the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers on December 17th, 2023. Vivian, engages in a heartfelt conversation with the remarkable Ms. Alex Andrews, Co-Founder of SWOP Behind Bars. Dive into Alex's personal journey navigating consensual sex work under criminalization and her unwavering commitment to supporting those incarcerated in the sex work industry. Together, they shed light on breaking down the walls of shame, discrimination, and stigma surrounding sex work. This episode echoes the universal sentiment of sex workers a...2023-12-0632 min

librarypunk052 - I Was a Stripper Librarian and Library Defense Network feat. Kristy CooperReadings Video: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=455589028208337 I was a Stripper Librarian on Amazon and Barnes & Noble Kristy’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/librarydefend https://www.kristycooper.com/ Lola Davina: https://www.loladavina.com/ https://www.sexworkinfoshare.org/ https://www.swopbehindbars.org/ Mutual aid https://twitter.com/LysistrataMCCF https://swopusa.org/ 2022-05-1251 min

definite party materialPREMIERE: Carli - XP10 [Palms Out Sounds]On February 25th, Palms Out will release the first in a series of compilations on cassette and digital. Titled plainly: "End Broken Windows", 100% of the proceeds of the series will go to charity in an effort to raise awareness about broken windows policing methods. Specifically, I hope this project contributes in some small way to spreading the word about the ways in which policing and prosecuting low-level offenses serves only as a way of terrorizing and traumatizing vulnerable populations, without achieving the intended goal of preventing violent crime. The theoretical premise of broken windows policing is fundamentally flawed, and woefully...2022-02-2104 min

UNSEEN: The Trafficked Truth PodcastS2 EP13 | Donah Sandfords' Survivor Story of When a Police Officer is a Criminal PimpDisclaimer: Much like the previous episodes particularly in Season 2, this is a definite Trigger Warning! Listener discretion is advised, and material discussed is not intended for audiences under 18 years of age.Almost 11 years after the 2009 take down of an Upland Park Police Department, Victoria spoke with Donah Sandford. The survivor, woman, business owner, warrior and more who was able to get a federal and civil conviction on a police officer who was a criminal trafficker. Donah shares her heroic story (around 15:00 minutes and very triggering around 33:00 minutes) of the legal process and what she did...2021-02-191h 05

Psych and the CityThe Power of Abuse: Between Partners and BeyondTW: This episode discusses partner violence and abuse. Sarah and Angelynn - a therapist and activist with a decade of organizing experience in anti-violence movements, harm reduction advocacy, and economic and racial justice - discuss the ways in which abuse is embedded in culture and the ways it can manifest. This episode covers the type of abuses that can happen on micro- and macro- levels, and everywhere in between. Angelynn and Sarah also discuss the history of the anti-violence movement and the significance of December 17th, the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. 2020-12-141h 14 $All In A Day\'s (Sex) Work$ All In A Day's (Sex) Work30. UPDATE: Joey The Player: The US vs Jose TorresIn February 2020, prolific serial rapist and predator Jose Torres, AKA "Joey The Player" was arrested in Boston, MA and charged in federal court with Coercion and Enticement. Torres is alleged to have been luring sex workers across state lines - then raping and robbing them - for over a decade. He awaits trial in New Jersey. On October 28th, 2020, there was another major development.Federal law enforcement NEEDS OUR HELP to build the strongest possible case against this violent threat to the community. If you or anyone you know have information about, or have had an encounter w...2020-11-1606 min $All In A Day\'s (Sex) Work$ All In A Day's (Sex) Work29. Donah SandfordAfter a police officer robbed and sexually assaulted Donah, she decided to fight back. This week we hear about how she survived the ordeal to help the FBI put her attacker away:Resources: When Police Are the Pimps: The SBB Exclusive Interview with Donah SandfordFormer Uplands Park officer sentenced to 25 years for escort assaultsFormer Uplands Park, Missouri, Police Officer Sentenced on Civil Rights ViolationsCop's Filthy Mouth Lands Him in Jail; Uplands Park Officer Forced Oral Sex on VictimTiny Uplands Park switches police service again, getting fourth agency in five yearsAll In A Day's (Sex) Work is produced by Blair Hopkins w...2020-11-111h 31 $All In A Day\'s (Sex) Work$ All In A Day's (Sex) Work28. Quail AvaraQuail Avara is a Dominatrix who specializes in difficult-to-realize fetishes. She blends her commanding yet personable style to integrate lifestyle kinks like Master-slave, puppy play, vore and feeder fetishism with a kind of life coaching. She’s fairly new to the trade and works primarily online. We talked about the process of finding and monetizing her kinky side, how she met her "hus-boy", and how she works with some of the edgier stuff in an ethical way. Links: Mistress Quail Avara - Official WebsiteNew ADSW Merch! 2020 Swop Behind Bars Scholarship Fund DriveAd: Poshie PetsIn A Day's (Sex) Work is produced by Bl...2020-11-021h 01 $All In A Day\'s (Sex) Work$ All In A Day's (Sex) Work27. Michael HobbesHuffington Post reporter and You're Wrong About/Maintenance Phase host Michael Hobbes and I dig into a recent, aggravatingly misleading news item: The "Operation Not Forgotten" bust in Georgia. We get into his coverage of the actual events and dissect some of the tropes that have rooted themselves deep into our cultural psyche as we've descended into a full-blown moral panic about "sex trafficking".Resources: Huffington Post: No, The Government Did Not Break Up A Child Sex Trafficking Ring In GeorgiaContently: Michael Hobbes - See Also: Podcasts "You're Wrong About"/"Maintenance Phase". @RottenInDenmark on Twitter)2020 Scholarship Drive for Incarcerated Sex W...2020-10-2658 min

Roach Show PodcastI'm A Sex Worker - So What!ROACH SHOW - I'm A Sex Worker - So What!! Sex worker Alex tells the Roach that she has been doing this kind of work since the 1980's, and wonders what is the big deal? Clip from show #116,Alex Andrews is the co-founder of the Sex Workers Outreach Project (SOP) which is a social justice network dedicated to the human rights for sex workers and their communities. https://www.swopbehindbars.org/ Subscribe Roach Show on YouTube athttp://www.youtube.com/c/RoachShow?su... Like & Follow Roach Show On Facebook: https://www.faceboo...2020-10-0911 min

Roach Show PodcastCan Paying For Sex Really Work?ROACH SHOW - Sex worker Alex tells the Roach that paying for sex can work in a society.Alex Andrews is the co-founder of the Sex Workers Outreach Project (SOP) which is a social justice network dedicated to the human rights for sex workers and their communities. https://www.swopbehindbars.org/ Subscribe Roach Show on YouTube athttp://www.youtube.com/c/RoachShow?su... Like & Follow Roach Show On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Roach-Show-1...Follow on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@roachshowlive🎵 Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.co...2020-10-0511 min

Roach Show PodcastWhat Happens To A Sex Worker When Arrested?ROACH SHOW - Sex worker Alex tells the Roach as to what happens to a sex worker when arrested. Alex Andrews is the co-founder of the Sex Workers Outreach Project (SOP) which is a social justice network dedicated to the human rights for sex workers and their communities. https://www.swopbehindbars.org/ Subscribe Roach Show on YouTube athttp://www.youtube.com/c/RoachShow?sub_confirmation=1 Like & Follow Roach Show On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Roach-Show-105375974393345Follow on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@roachshowlive🎵 Apple Podcasts - https://p...2020-10-0210 min

Roach Show PodcastLook No Further Than Google To Find Sex!ROACH SHOW - Look No Further Than Google To Find Sex! Sex worker Alex Andrews tells the Roach that escorts and prostitutes use the internet (not the street) to a bring in clients.She is the co-founder of the Sex Workers Outreach Project (SOP) which is a social justice network dedicated to the human rights for sex workers and their communities. https://www.swopbehindbars.org/ 📺 Subscribe Roach Show on YouTube athttp://www.youtube.com/c/RoachShow?sub_confirmation=1Like & Follow Roach Show On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Roach-Show-105375974393345FAC...2020-09-2906 min $All In A Day\'s (Sex) Work$ All In A Day's (Sex) Work26. KebreyanaKebreyana was a sex worker who served 7 years in federal prison for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking. As a condition of her release she must report for probation for the next 25 years and will register as a sex offender for the rest of her life. We talk about how she ended up in prison, the unique obstacles that sex offenders (especially female sex offenders) face when trying to reintegrate into society and why the criminal justice system needs to approach sexually-classified offenses with less of a broad, punitive brush. Resources: https://www.headcount.org/Vote Save AmericaResidency Restrictions by St...2020-09-271h 14

Roach Show PodcastThe Truth About Being A Sex Worker (FULL SHOW)ROACH SHOW - Alex Andrews tells the truth about being a sex worker. Alex has been one since 1984. Full Show #0116 She is the co-founder of the Sex Workers Outreach Project (SOP) which is a social justice network dedicated to the human rights for sex workers and their communities. https://www.swopbehindbars.org/ 📺 Subscribe Roach Show on YouTube athttp://www.youtube.com/c/RoachShow?su...Like & Follow Roach Show On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Roach-Show-1...FACEBOOK - https://www.facebook.com/roachshowpod...🎵 Apple ITunes Podcasts - https://podc...2020-09-241h 07 $All In A Day\'s (Sex) Work$ All In A Day's (Sex) Work25. Erika HeidewaldOnlyFans content creator Erika Heidewald and I talk about the platform's Bella Thorne debacle and how pay-out structure changes resulting from Thorne's scam could adversely affect thousands of sex workers' livelihoods ..Resources: @erikaheidewald * Erika Heidewald on OnlyFans .Rolling Stone: Bella Thorne Apologizes to Sex Workers After OnlyFans Uproar .The Guardian: A Thorne in the site: the Bella Thorne and OnlyFans controversy explained .All In A Day's (Sex) Work is produced by Blair Hopkins and brought to you by SWOP Behind Bars. Music...2020-09-0337 min