Advocates: Modern Slavery Laws Should Decriminalize Sex Work - FreedomUnited.org

Advocates: Modern Slavery Laws Should Decriminalize Sex Work

  • Published on
    December 21, 2017
  • Written by:
    Jamison Liang
  • Category:
    Forced Labor, Human Trafficking, Law & Policy, Prevention
Hero Banner

Advocates are warning that Australia needs to decriminalize sex work if the country’s new modern slavery laws are to help those who are exploited or trafficked into the sex industry. The Scarlet Alliance, a body for sex workers, is concerned that as Australia conducts parliamentary inquiries into how to best form anti-slavery legislation, little is being proposed around decriminalization.

The Guardian reports:

Most aspects of sex work are still criminalised in South Australia, Queensland, Tasmania and the Northern Territory. The Scarlet Alliance and other advocates have long campaigned for reform, saying criminalisation denies workers their basic rights and protections, and fosters exploitation and mistreatment.

Full decriminalisation has proved “the most enabling environment to ensure migrant sex workers are afforded workplace rights”, the alliance said in its submission.

But the inquiry’s final report, handed down earlier this month, included no new recommendation on the decriminalisation of sex work.

Jules Kim, the head of the Scarlet Alliance, says that decriminalization is needed so that people can go the police for help without fear. “Having those legislative protections makes a really big difference, [it gives] access to rights and justice in the same way other occupations can access them,” she said.

The government is also being urged to improve support schemes for trafficking victims, which is administered by  the Department of Social Services and delivered by the Australian Red Cross. Police referred a total of 341 suspected trafficked people to the scheme between 2004 and March this year. 191 of them were women who were exploited in the sex industry.

Freedom United is interested in hearing from our community and welcomes relevant, informed comments, advice, and insights that advance the conversation around our campaigns and advocacy. We value inclusivity and respect within our community. To be approved, your comments should be civil.

stop icon A few things we do not tolerate: comments that promote discrimination, prejudice, racism, or xenophobia, as well as personal attacks or profanity. We screen submissions in order to create a space where the entire Freedom United community feels safe to express and exchange thoughtful opinions.

guest
1 Comment
Most Voted
Newest Oldest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
desaint
desaint
5 years ago

But sex work is the source of trafficking aznd modern slavery. Decriminalization would encourage it. Prostiution must be criminalized to end trafficking of women.

This week

Migrant workers jailed in Qatar over demands for owed wages

Five months on from the World Cup final, migrant workers continue to report exploitative labor practices and mistreatment at the hands of Qatari authorities. Three former security guards have been jailed in Qatar for four months following their repeated requests for unpaid wages from their employer, Stark Security Services. Though lauded by FIFA as an opportunity to improve Qatar’s treatment of migrant workers, workers who toiled to make the world’s

| Friday May 26, 2023

Read more