Sex Workers in the NT are calling for the decriminalisation of sex work to ensure that sex workers privacy and safety is recognised to enable access to workplace services with existing business mechanisms. NSW has in place a solid system of compliance through the Decriminalisation of sex work. Any system that deviates from Decriminalisation via for example over regulating with specialised licensing constraints creates a two tiered system where some workers are able to work legally and others are then by default of sex industry specific legislation criminalised………………….

Criminalisation increases vulnerability to blood borne viruses (BBVs) & sexually transmitted infections (STIs) by fuelling stigma and discrimination. This sets up barriers preventing sex workers’ free access to sexual & reproductive health services, safer sex prophylactics and educational support networks, as provided by SWOP NT.

A prime example of domineering and dangerous legislation over the privacy and rights of sex workers in the Northern Territory is the mandatory requirement for sex workers who work under an escort agency’s management to register with police. This legislation was introduced initially with the intention to protect sex workers. The regulatory condition on escort agency workers has caused extensive harm to sex workers and to agency operators/managers in relation to privacy issues, disclosure of sex workers’ information inappropriately, and the lifelong recording of sex workers’ personal details.

Read the full submission here:

Excerpt from SWOP NT submission - #139 - INQUIRY INTO THE REGULATION OF BROTHELS