SWING works with sex workers of all genders, cultures and nationalities, across three (3) peer-led drop-in centers in tourist "hot-spots" of Thailand. SWING's work includes engaging with highly marginalized sex workers, including HIV+ sex workers, sex workers who lack access to stable accommodation, sex workers who use currently illicit drugs, and migrant sex workers.
Over 80% of SWING' staff self identify as current or former sex workers. Membership to SWING (which is currently made up of many thousands of sex workers across SWING's 3 centers) is only available to former or current sex workers.
Sex workers face difficulty in accessing self-health healthcare, as many state-funded health clinics are not open during hours accessible to sex workers, or are located in districts far from sex working areas. Migrant sex workers are are not currently covered under the Thai Universal Health Care Scheme and the price of ARVs are prohibitively expensive. Sex workers face stigma and discrimination from broader society. Sex work is criminalized and is not recognized as a legitimate occupation.
SWING facilitates nightly peer outreach to a wide variety of sex work venues and spaces. SWING facilitates peer-led educational programs through its drop-in centers, including English classes and high school certification. SWING also facilitates a self-funded Care and Support program for HIV+ sex workers, which provides material and peer psycho/social support to HIV+ sex workers. Two of SWING's centers (Bangkok and Pattaya) offer rapid HIV/STI VCT with peer pre- and post counseling.