In 2016 a small group of sex workers identified a need to create a secure online space for sex workers throughout Australia to network and share ideas. The following year these founding members conducted community consultation, resulting in a trial version of the Red Files website. Operating as a volunteer, community driven project, Red Files continues to be operated by sex workers for sex workers.

As the Red Files volunteer team grew and expanded, 2018 saw an increased focus on financial management and good governance. In November 2018, Red Files became an incorporated association. In 2019, membership exceeded 500 and in the same year the association registered with the Australian Charities and Not-For-Profits Commission.

Our immediate future sees us engaging with Victoria’s ‘Review to make recommendations for the decriminalisation of sex work’, to commence in 2020. As a violence prevention sex worker-led charity, Red Files is keen to bring our particular expertise and experience in violence prevention to this Review. In particular, we will focus on the follow issues to be considered by the Review:

• Workplace safety including health and safety issues and stigma and discrimination against sex workers.
• The promotion of public health
• The safety and wellbeing of sex workers, including the experience of violence that arises in the course of sex work and as a consequence of it, and worker advocacy for safety and wellbeing.

Red Files is now one of only two registered national sex worker charities. With a website membership of 700, the website continues to grow and expand its operations.

As the sex industry changes Red Files will continue to listen to our members and the wider sex worker community in order to assist them in their work, always with the broader aim of preventing violence in the workplace.

We will facilitate an online platform where members can communicate without fear of harassment, abuse, misconduct, judgement, or prejudice; make efforts to archive content sufficiently and in an easy-to-retrieve manner; and ensure our content is relevant and up-to-date. Red Files also has expectations of its members. Whatever way you do sex work, you can sign-up to our services for free. In doing so you agree to our Terms of Use. Red Files is a safer space, with a collective effort to keep factual, free of hate, disrespect, harassment and abuse. Red Files' Community Guidelines form the backbone of our social construct. All members are briefed on our Community Guidelines with a phone call.

If you’re interested in becoming a member, your first step is to read them.

RED FILES CONTENT IS FOR SEX WORKER EYES ONLY! Members understand that if non-sex workers gain access to Red Files, it endangers the community and risks the integrity of the Red Files services. Members NEVER show or disclose anything about Red Files to non-sex workers.

We ask all members – within your means, monthly or yearly – to donate to Red Files. This doesn’t just come in the form of finances. Show your support and appreciation, and enable us to continue our efforts and commitment to our community.