The Impact of Sex Work Legislation on Violence & Trafficking
Jill McCracken PhD, Daniela Rodriguez, Abigail Walston & Isabella Valencia | September 22 | 11:45 AM-12:45 PM
Topic: Research, Legal | Knowledge Level: Intermediate
This session presents the findings from interviews with sex workers about their experiences of violence and trafficking in the sex industry in New Zealand, a country where prostitution is decriminalized. As a community-based participatory research project, sex workers led the research process to gather information and answer the following research questions: 1) How does decriminalization of prostitution impact violence, exploitation, and trafficking in the sex industry? and 2) What can sex workers do if they encounter violence, exploitation, or trafficking? The study’s findings reveal how decriminalization of prostitution impacts exploitation and trafficking in the sex industry. In particular, sex workers identified and discussed violence, safety, and their access to resources if and when they encounter violence or coercion. Also included is a discussion about sex workers’ experiences with the police and the community organization, the New Zealand Prostitutes Collective, when they do encounter violence or exploitation. And finally, participants explain how this legislation can help to reduce violence against sex workers. This research draws on interviews with 33 sex workers and 34 individuals who work closely with sex workers (including brothel operators, clients, social service agents, health professionals, and others, many of whom were also sex workers or had been sex workers in the past) (total=67).
Presentation Objectives:
· Reveal an impression of the level of violence, exploitation, and trafficking that sex workers experience in a country where prostitution is decriminalized
· Bring to light strategies that sex workers use to combat or reduce the level of violence that they may be subjected to (including trafficking), and to make known the amount of control sex workers have over the services they provide
· Describe how New Zealand’s legislative model enhances or impinges on sex worker’s health, safety, and well-being
· Uncover and identify any structural or legislative changes that may be needed to further reduce violence and trafficking against sex workers
· Reveal an impression of the level of violence and trafficking overall that sex workers may be experiencing in a decriminalized environment