NEW YORK — Adult entertainment directory Eros.com has announced its support for tomorrow’s International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers.
To mark the day, Eros says it is helping to sponsor events throughout the country, as well as donate a portion of its income to the Sex Worker's Outreach Project (SWOP).
"Adult entertainers deserve the right to work with the same safety and dignity as other professionals in our society," said Stormi Mountain, a spokesperson for Eros.com. "We hope that by partnering with SWOP and other organizations, we can help raise awareness about hate crimes within both the community and among the general public."
Dec. 17 was first observed in 2002 to commemorate the capture of serial killer Gary Ridgeway, who was known as the “Green River Killer,” and targeted sex workers. In his confession, Ridgeway said he chose sex workers because the crimes were unlikely to be reported, and he believed he could “kill as many of them as [he] wanted without getting caught.”
In addition to co-financing Day of Remembrance Events, Eros will donate ten percent of its Dec. 17 ad revenue markets to SWOP. Entertainers who purchase advertising on Eros will also receive special promotional rates on certain services.
Kate D’Adamo, community organizer for SWOP, said that most of Eros’ donations will go to help local chapters throw larger events, as well as support professionals in the adult industry.
"We're grateful to Eros for generously helping to support our efforts on Dec. 17,” D’Adamo said. “This is such an important day for us.”
Events will be held in nearly two dozen cities nationally and internationally, including New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Seattle and London.
For more about the Day of Remembrance, visit December17.org. To find out more about Eros, visit Eros.com.