The NSW sex industry is currently campaigning against proposed law reform to introduce regulation to the NSW sex industry. In NSW we currently operate in a decriminalised industry meaning we are treated the same way as any other industry or business. The benefits of a decriminalised industry include but are not limited to:
- demarcation between the Police as protector and enforcer
- equality
- increased empowerment of sex workers
- decrease in the amount of tax payers money being used on law enforcement of the sex industry
- decreased corruption by the Police
- OH&S benefits
- ability for sex workers to pay appropriate tax
- increased access to sex workers for people with a disability (Touching Base)
- terminology and cultural changes
- better health outcomes
- increased access to services
*cited in Rachel Wotton’s presentation (2006) (1)
For a simple, clear explanation on the differences between legalisation and decriminalisation, you can have a look at Rachel’s presentation here
We are campaigning for the right for NSW sex workers to continue to operate in a decriminalised industry. We do this by lobbying and advocating to politicians, health workers, the media, service providers, the general public, researchers and a plethora of other people and organisations. Up until now sex workers have pretty much been alone in their efforts, however we are finding that many other people are now taking notice and finding their voice to help us in our campaigns. The letter below is an example of this.
The following is a letter published with permission from our friends at Glyde Health – the people who really know the realities of safe sex in our industry for they make their living from selling the very products some of our detractors claim we don’t use!!
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“To the NSW Premier, the Hon Barry O’Farrell and Minister for Health, Hon Jillian Skinner,
As proprietors of GLYDE Health, an Australian owned company which manufactures and distributes sexual health products, we are appalled at the proposed legislative changes which will mandate licensing for NSW brothels.
We believe that the current model of decriminalisation has resulted in best practice for NSW brothels. We know, from our work with organisations such as the SWOP (Sex Workers Outreach Program) and our sales of sexual health products into NSW brothels, that decriminalisation has resulted in sex workers routinely using protection at work.
We know that the legislative changes enacted in both QLD and Victoria, have resulted in sex workers operating in at-risk environments – at risk from both physical attack and unsafe sexual practices.
The sex industry in NSW has shown without question that it can manage and regulate its practices perfectly well by itself, without interference from government or law enforcement. Indeed it seems to us that whenever law enforcement or regulators get involved, the result is dreadful.
We strongly urge you to leave well enough alone – let the NSW sex industry continue to operate as it does today. The health and well being of thousands of sex workers depend on it.
Yours faithfully,
Fiona Stewart and Clive Woodworth
Directors
GLYDE Heath
PO Box 265
Lindfield NSW 2070
Tel 1300 364 811 “
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We’d like to encourage everyone to write letters to politician’s in support of continued decriminalisation in NSW! So if for example you are ….
- an insurance company to the sex industry (low /no claims history)
- a sexual health service
- an indivdual council such as City of Sydney who have invested so much in implementing decriminalisation relatively successfully
- an owner of premises and neighbours of brothels (yes some have been very friendly)
- a client of the sex industry
join with us and people like Glyde Health in supporting the continued decriminalisation of the sex industry. If you’re a sex worker and have access to any stakeholders in the NSW sex industry, please feel free to educate them about what’s going on and let them know what they can do to help all of us!
If you’d like to write a letter, we’ve put together a Letter Writing Guide which can be found under the top menu item on the site called “How To Guides”. Or you can hit on this link here.
Again thank you to Glyde Health for your support in this incredibly important cause!
(1) Wotton, Rachel (2006) Getting on Top of Decriminalisation for the NSW Sex Industry, Presentation by Rachel Wotton, International Spokesperson, Scarlet Alliance, The Australian Sex Worker Association
(2) Poster campagin images by http://www.turnoffthebluelight.ie/about/poster-campaign/
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