Sex workers to hold national forum in Sydney
A NATIONAL forum and public rally for sex workers organised by Scarlet Alliance, the country’s leading sex workers association, will take place in Sydney next week.
To run from November 26-28, the forum will hear from a panel of speakers to discuss trends, changes and legal conditions across each state and territory, and learn about the importance of decriminalising sex work nationally.
Presentations, workshops, consultations and policy development will all be part of the agenda during the three-day conference. Among the topic of discussion will be issues of race, migration, age and drug use amongst sex workers.
Scarlet Alliance will also hold its AGM while sex workers and friends are all invited to the public red umbrella march through Circular Quay to raise awareness about the human and legal rights of sex workers.
A sex worker-only party and celebration will round off the list of events.
Scarlet Alliance CEO Janelle Fawkes told the Star Observer the National Forum being held in Sydney provided a great opportunity for its membership to reflect on the health, safety and rights outcomes for sex workers in NSW working within a decriminalised model of regulation.
“Recent renewed calls by councils for the NSW government to introduce a licensing model means this has come at an opportune time,” she said.
“Licensing in Queensland has cost tax payers over $7 million and only resulted in 25 legal brothels creates a two tiered industry through excessive barriers to compliance. Research has supported these claims and Scarlet Alliance intends to use its Red Brolly march to raise awareness.”
After the conference’s end, disability advocates Touching Base will help lead training for sex workers wanting to learn skills on working with clients with a disability.
Free childcare will be available on site at the conference venue with the exact location of the conference and further details of the events to be found by contacting Scarlet Alliance.
INFO: For further information, contact [email protected]
