About our Community In Conversation sessions
- The conversations are for sex workers only. It will be introduced by one or two hosts who will provide a bit of background about the review and how the conversation will go. Each conversation will include an expert in the particular area. Most of the time will be discussion and questions on the topic.
- We respect sex workers’ privacy: in taking part. You don’t need to use your real name or show your face.The platform is a fully protected Zoom account and the sessions will not be recorded. A scribe will take notes and feed them back at the end, hopefully with drafts of recommendations for the Review that have emerged from the conversation.
- These sessions are to both ask questions and have a say. You don’t need any special knowledge in any area to participate – you’re the expert on your own working life. The purpose of these conversations is for you to find out more about the review, and for us to learn how the review can help and be informed by the needs of specific groups of sex workers.
- Participating in the sex work law reform process in Victoria is made difficult by the sheer complexity of the law and regulations around sex work. We have summarised it in this paper as background information for sex workers and allies who want to express their views to the 2020 Review of Sex Work Decriminalisation.
- We don’t have to agree. Respectful disagreement is not a problem in this process because there are several ways for sex workers to have their say. Although the Review is not inviting submissions from the public, you can write directly to Fiona Patten who has said that she is happy to hear from sex workers in whatever way suits them. There are several ways you can add your voice to one of several community submissions. Sex Workers Voices Victoria Project is developing a submission with the Kirby Centre as are groups including Vixen, Sex Work Law Reform Victoria, Red Files Inc., and Working Man.
Community in Conversation Dates
June 29th – Laws & Regulations
July 1 – Health Issues
July 3rd – Male Sex Workers
July 3rd – Street based Sex Worker Voices
July 7th – Migrant Sex Workers
July 10th – Final Recommendations
Community in Conversation Topic Details
Laws and Regulations
Date: 2pm-3.30pm, Monday 29th June
Facilitator: Estelle Lucas
Scribe: Bebe Loff
Decriminalisation of sex work is removal of criminal laws against adults providing and buying sexual services and operating commercial sex businesses. By removing ineffective criminal law sex workers will be able to benefit from the effective regulations that apply to other lawful businesses and service providers. However, fitting all the different sectors of the sex industry into a framework of ‘regulations and standards that apply to similar businesses and service providers’ so they actually benefit all sex workers is not straightforward.
The complex regulations around every legal commercial activity are known as ‘red tape’ for good reason. Making them appropriate, fair and be sensitive to sex workers specific privacy and safety needs is a challenge. Which kinds of regulations can make safe workplaces and be feasible for sex workers – those that cover hairdressers or entertainers or massage therapists? Should brothels be treated like gyms, or tattoo parlours or boarding houses? What do the various options mean? How do we deal with the fact that modern regulatory frameworks require the service provider or business to obtain various certificates and registrations, frequently including providing their names.
Decriminalisation also reduces stigma and makes way for sex workers to exert the same rights as other Victorians in respect of justice, welfare benefits, economic rights and protection from violence and discrimination. Again, this is not straightforward. Various laws and policies need to change to make those things a reality.
- Ideal session for private sex workers hoping to work from home
- Translation services may be available (please contact)
- You do not need prior knowledge of the law to contribute
- Workshop style format with round table style discussion
- Conducted online where you can be anonymous
- You can only listen if you want
Health Issues
Date: 2pm-3.30pm, Wednesday 1st July
Facilitator: Gabby Skelsey
Scribe: Lisa
This session is for Victorian sex workers only, or those who tour Victoria. What are your concerns about how the health and wellbeing of sex workers’ health issues are regulated? We will talk about sexual health issues including services, mandatory STI testing and HIV law. We will also discuss other occupational health and safety issues including violence. We want to form some clear messages about what a safe workplace looks like for sex workers and gather some concrete ideas about what regulations and policies can achieve that. Gabby Skelsey from RhED (Resourcing Health and Education for Sex Workers) will be facilitating this discussion.
- Ideal session for private sex workers hoping to work from home
- You do not need special knowledge of health issues to contribute
- Workshop style format with round table style discussion
- Conducted online where you can be anonymous
- You can only listen if you want
- Translation services may be available (please contact)
Male Sex Workers
Date: 2pm-3.30pm, Friday 3rd July
Facilitator: Jessie Lewis
Scribe: Dean Lim from Working Man
This session is for men who work, or have worked, in the sex industry in Victoria. Male sex workers face particular issues of their own and haven’t always been well represented in advocacy spaces. Tell us about the changes, in law or otherwise, you want to see. This conversation has been organised in conjunction with Working Man, Victoria’s m2m escort advocacy and support group.
- Ideal session for private sex workers hoping to work from home
- Translation services may be available (please contact)
- You do not need any special knowledge to contribute
- Workshop style format with round table style discussion
- Conducted online where you can be anonymous
- You can only listen if you want
Street based Sex Worker Voices
Date: 6pm-7.30pm Friday 3rd July
Location: 31 Grey Street St Kilda
Facilitator: Cheryl Overs
Scribe: Estelle Lucas
This on-site facilitated session is for people who work, or have worked, in street based settings. We want to form some clear messages about what a safe way of working in outside settings looks like for sex workers. We will also discuss other occupational health and safety issues including violence. Cheryl Overs will be facilitating this discussion.
- Ideal session for people who work in street settings
- Translation services may be available (please contact)
- You do not need any special knowledge to contribute
- Workshop style format with round table style discussion
- Conducted on site
Migrant Sex Workers
Date: 2pm-3.30pm, Tuesday 7th July
Facilitator: Jessie Lu-Lee and Gabby Skelsey (RhED)
Scribe: Bebe Loff
This session is for sex workers who work, or have worked, in Victoria. Migrant workers face specific issues which can be complicated by specific issues such as language, stigma and visa conditions. We want to hear how things can be improved for migrant workers when it comes to regulating sex work. Migrant workers haven’t always been well-represented in advocacy spaces. Here is your chance to have your say. This conversation will be facilitated by Jessie Lu-Lee (English, Cantonese, Mandarin).
Translation services will be available (please contact)
Ideal session for private sex workers hoping to work from home
You do not need any special knowledge to contribute
Workshop style format with round table style discussion
Conducted online where you can be anonymous
You can only listen if you want
Final Recommendations
Date: 2pm-3.30pm, Friday 10th July
Facilitator: Cheryl Overs
Scribe: Bebe Loff
This session will consolidate all the recommendations and outcomes from previous sessions for the Sex Workers’ Voices group. This discussion will reiterate our final findings and ensure they are carefully worded and clarified so that they accurately represent the sex workers who have contributed to our discussion. The final recommendations will be in quite formal language but in this session we will make sure they capture the essence of sex workers’ demands. Cheryl Overs will facilitate this session.
- Ideal session for those who are time poor and like to get to the point
- Workshop style format with round table style discussion
- Conducted online where you can be anonymous
- You can only listen if you want