The relationship between Sex Work and Human Trafficking

Modern discourses surrounding sex work and its morality, exploitation and regulation are still viewed in black and white terms and simplistic assumptions. Historically, international conventions have conflated sex work and trafficking into the sex industry, viewing the industry as inherently exploitative when shaping law, policies and practice. In Singapore, the association of criminality, guilt and […]

No Human Being Is Illegal

Sex workers are routinely situated within contexts of petty crimes, manipulation and sexual deviances. Against the backdrop of Covid-19, criminal constructions of migrant sex and entertainment workers have skyrocketed. Containment narratives associating illegality, nationality and immigration controls further construct migrants as a disorderly population, a “problem” to be tackled once they are caught. Language is […]

In Defense of Orchard Towers

Ever since the gruesome and cruel murder of Mr Satheesh Noel Gobidass at Orchard Towers on 2nd July 2019, a barrage of articles attempting to shed light on the reality of the building has flooded media channels.  It is understandable that many people are curious as to how such a sensational murder could have taken […]

Wany’s one-week affair in Kathmandu, Nepal!

I recently got selected to attend an informal “seminar-cation,” which was made possible by Tajassodat, a collaborative initiative launched by Qorras and the Coalition for Sexual and Bodily Rights in Muslim Societies (CSBR). The meeting was about advancing Trans Rights And Justice In Muslim Societies. I was super elated when I first learned about it […]

A Human Library of Sex Workers

A “human library” is much like a normal library, except instead of books, you borrow people. In a human library, you come to know the story of another human being through open and frank conversation. On Saturday, 15 June, about 80 people crowded into the cosy, wood-panelled second floor of The Moon – a beautiful […]

Statement of Clarification and Apology

We refer to the article “More sex workers abused by customers but fear reporting crimes” (The New Paper, 10th June 2019). We deeply regret providing a quote about an incident that allegedly happened two years ago. Those allegations were brought to the Internal Affairs Office of the Singapore Police Force, and we understand that a […]

Volunteer Spotlight: Mandarin Linguist – Yingshu

I am Yingshu, a Mandarin teacher at a university in Singapore. I have been volunteering for Project X for over six months. Last year, I decided that since my work and life are relatively stable, it is finally time to step up and help others. I initially considered working with children, but then, came across […]

$15,000 Agent Fees to Work Illegally as a Sex Worker in Singapore

Vietnamese women, Linda and Tania used to do sex work in the same area together in Singapore. One day, Linda told Tania that there’s an opportunity to work for longer periods of time in Singapore as a sex worker, as opposed to just working for one month at a time on the social visit pass. […]

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Vanessa Ho

Executive Director | [email protected]

Executive Director
[email protected]

Vanessa has been full-time with Project X since 2011, and as a result, has had many opportunities to meet and connect with sex workers in Singapore and around the world. Under her leadership, the organisation has grown from a small group of volunteers to one where there are three paid staff and a team of over 60 volunteers. Correspondingly, she has increased the annual operating budget of the organization five times, and is now recognized as the leading organization that empowers and assists women in the sex industry.

Vanessa has written and spoken extensively about sex work, human trafficking, rape culture, and LGBTQ rights in Singapore. She believes that if people can speak about sex, gender and sexuality in open and in non-judgmental ways, society will become a safer place for everyone.

Vanessa holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of Warwick, and a Masters Degree in Gender, Society and Representation from University College London.