Sex industry safer in New Zealand since decriminalisation

In 2007, New Zealand’s government published The Impact of the Prostitution Reform Act (PRA) on the Health and Safety Practices of Sex Workers, an official review of its sex-industry legislation. Now the report is out as a book: Taking the Crime Out of Sex Work: New Zealand Sex Workers’ Fight for Decriminalisation, edited by Gillian Abel, Lisa Fitzgerald and Catherine Healy (of the New Zealand Prostitutes’ Collective). For poor students, the research report is available in full online, along with the questionnaires used.

Photo NZPA Stephen Barker
Photo of Catherine Healy by NZPA Stephen Barker

After interviewing 772 sex workers, Otago University’s Gillian Abel found workers are more empowered to insist on safe sex and assert employment rights with both brothel operators and clients. Relationships with police have also improved.

‘When it was criminalised, the negotiations were much more covert to try and enforce condom use, whereas now they’ve got the law behind them. One sex worker in Christchurch has taken a client to court for removing a condom. ‘

Ms Gillian believes more work has to be done though, particularly to protect those under 18 entering sex work and in providing support for trans-gender youth, who are particularly vulnerable to being drawn into the industry.

She fears a negative stigma still prevents some workers from seeking the help they need and many still do not tell people what their real profession is. ‘Whether it’s family, friends, or health professionals, there’s still room for improvement around things like the emotional health which goes with being a stigmatised population.’ 

from Sex Industry Safer since Decriminalisation, NZ City. 13 May 2010

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