*Not Your Rescue Project: Migrant Sex Workers Fighting for Justice* by Chanelle Gallant and Elene Lam is a groundbreaking and vital contribution to the discourse on migration, sex work, and the broader fight against systemic oppression. This book challenges deeply entrenched narratives surrounding the so-called "anti-trafficking" industry and offers a powerful, first-hand perspective on the struggles and activism of migrant sex workers.

In this meticulously researched and passionately argued work, Gallant and Lam expose the devastating impacts of criminalization, particularly in the name of anti-trafficking efforts. They reveal how policies ostensibly designed to protect vulnerable individuals often end up perpetuating harm, particularly for those they claim to help—migrant sex workers. The authors argue that the true path to justice lies not in top-down, carceral approaches but in empowering those who are most affected by these issues: the migrant sex workers themselves.

Gallant and Lam center the voices and experiences of migrant sex workers, who are often silenced or marginalized in mainstream discussions. They argue convincingly that these workers are not passive victims in need of rescue, but rather powerful agents of change who are leading the fight for their rights, safety, and autonomy. The book provides a compelling critique of the anti-trafficking industry, which the authors describe as a driver of criminalization and state violence, rather than a force for liberation.

The authors delve into the broader societal conditions that fuel the injustices faced by migrant sex workers, including the white supremacist securitization of borders, the criminalization of migration and sex work, the devaluation of women’s labor, and the displacement caused by climate disaster, war, and poverty. Gallant and Lam draw clear connections between these issues and the global forces of racial capitalism, illustrating how they intersect to create a hostile environment for migrant sex workers.

One of the book’s most powerful contributions is its emphasis on the grassroots organizing and emancipatory politics being practiced by migrant sex workers. Gallant and Lam showcase the innovative and effective ways in which these workers are fighting back against the systems that oppress them, building coalitions, and advocating for their rights on their own terms. This focus on migrant-led activism serves as both an indictment of current approaches and an inspiring blueprint for how true justice might be achieved.

*Not Your Rescue Project* is also a thorough dismantling of the myths and misconceptions that surround sex work and migration. Gallant and Lam deftly debunk the idea that all sex work is inherently exploitative or that all migrant sex workers are trafficked individuals in need of saving. Instead, they provide a nuanced and compassionate portrayal of the complexities of sex work, arguing for the decriminalization and destigmatization of the profession as essential steps toward justice.

The book is both an eye-opening critique and a call to action. Gallant and Lam invite readers to rethink their assumptions and to consider the ways in which they might support the struggles of migrant sex workers. They make a compelling case for the importance of building alliances across movements to dismantle the carceral systems that perpetuate injustice.

In *Not Your Rescue Project*, Chanelle Gallant and Elene Lam have crafted an indispensable exploration of the intersection of migration, sex work, and carceralism. Their work is a necessary corrective to decades of harmful policies and practices, and it serves as a rallying cry for a future in which migrant sex workers are not just heard, but are at the forefront of the fight for justice. For anyone interested in social justice, human rights, or the abolition of oppressive systems, this book is a must-read.