Sex workers campaign for rights

By Kieran Adair

The sun was shining, albeit only temporarily on Saturday afternoon as around 50 Sex Workers gathered on the Opera House steps as part of the International ‘Whore Day’ demonstrations.

Brandishing Red Umbrellas – a world-wide symbol for Sex Worker rights – the group aimed to increase community awareness of the discrimination suffered by sex workers throughout NSW.

The protest was organised by Scarlet Alliance, a sex worker industry group, and was timed to coincide with similar events taking place around the globe to mark the anniversary of the 1975 occupation of St Nizier Church in France by sex workers.

The occupation is thought to be the birthplace of the modern movement for sex workers rights, and although decriminalisation has meant sex work is no longer a gaolable offence in NSW, harassment and discrimination towards those involved in the industry is still rife.

Janelle Fawkes, CEO of Scarlet Alliance told the media “Sex workers regularly experience refusal of property rental, and bank loans; sex work experience is used against us in custody cases; sex workers and sex industry establishments have been subject to harassment from neighbourhood resident action groups.

“This is unacceptable, and sex workers will continue to demand an end to discriminatory practices and polices which directly impact on our livelihoods and lives.”

The workers hope to see the Government follow the lead of other States and Territories around Australia and amend its current Anti-Discrimination legislation to cover those in the sex industry as well.

“NSW is seriously lagging behind” Ms Fawkes said.

“The Government is aware of the discrimination, but there is a lack of political will to make the change.”

Nicolette Burrows, a Sydney based sex worker said “Sex workers make a significant and integral contribution to Australian society, yet we are rarely recognised for our unique skills and our profession is seldom afforded the respect it deserves.

“Whilst sex work is decriminalised in NSW, sex work is not generally recognised as a legit occupation. Sex workers still face massive discrimination from society at large, in particular, from the law courts, as was exampled by the 2009 trial of American Marine Petty Officer Timothy Davis, who was acquitted on charges of raping a sex worker in a Potts Point brothel, despite openly admitting to the assault.”