10 September 2017
NOTE FROM RED FILES: This article has been contributed by our member Roman, who has reflected on his personal experience in the Australian sex work political climate. This is a brief overview of who supports us (who will allow us to do our jobs in the way we want) and who doesn't (those who want to restrict our jobs).
This is just one members take and the Red Files administration encourages you to comment on this article if you have any thoughts about it.
Last updated: 10/09/2017
| Sex Worker Rights Advocates (Support decriminalisation) | Neo-Abolitionists (Support Nordic model) | |
| Who are they? | People who support sex workers rights | Radical feminists and fundamentalist Christians |
| Their ideal laws are…. | Decriminalisation | The Nordic model |
| Their ideal laws would make…. | Commercial sexual services NOT a crime between consenting adults. Neither the client nor the worker would face criminal penalties. | The purchase of commercial sexual services ALWAYS a crime. ALL clients face criminal penalties. |
| Would their preferred laws regulate sex work? | Yes. Entire sex industry would be regulated like any other service business | No. Entire sex industry would be criminalized and driven underground |
| They emphasize… | Worker’s rights | Women’s rights |
| Sex worker gender diversity | Gender diversity does exist in the sex industry. There are male and other gender diverse sex workers | Ignore all sex workers who are not cis-female |
| Ignore all sex workers who are not cis-female | Work | Violence against women |
| Who defines what constitutes violence against women? | Existing Australian legislation/the judiciary | Neo-abolitionists themselves |
| Sex worker a victim of a crime if…… | The sex worker herself/himself reports a crime has occurred | Neo-abolitionists consider all sex workers to be victims of crime, even if the worker herself/himself does not believe this to be the case |
| Suggested new laws aim to….. | Provide all sex workers with a regulated work place, guaranteeing legal rights and a safe and healthy work environment | Reduce demand for sexual services |
| Does the size of the industry matter? | No | Yes. It needs to be reduced as much as possible, ideally eliminated entirely. |
| Preferred terminology | Sex Work Sex Worker | Prostitution Prostituted woman |
| How would the size of the industry change, under their preferred laws? | No change | Demand for sexual services would decline, industry reduced in size. |
| Are clients criminals? | No, not if there is respect and consent. | Yes always. |
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If you have a question, if I got something wrong, if you have suggestions, or if there are other ways you accept deposits or payments from clients that you would like to share with other members then please feel free to add it here.
