The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) recently embarked on an investigation into the legislative response to sex work, and concluded that the current legal regime that criminalises sex work has failed sex workers and perpetuated substantive abuse of their constitutional rights.
The CGE's position and response is informed by Constitutional and legal analysis, comparative research into best practice internationally in response to sex work, and consultation with affected stakeholders. The CGE believes that the correct approach is to regard sex work as ordinary work, and allow the industry to be governed by existing labour and business laws intended to prevent unsafe, exploitative and unfair business practices. This of course excludes abusive practices such as underage and coerced sex work, which should remain criminal offences and should be diligently investigated and prosecuted.
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