DECRIMINALISE SEX WORK IN WALES – SAFETY FIRST!
Poverty in Wales is increasing, particularly among women and especially single mothers and disabled women.
Most sex workers are mothers working to support families yet are labelled unfit mums and threatened with having their children taken by social services.
Prostitution could be reduced by providing viable economic alternatives and affordable housing, living wage benefits, training, pay equity, etc.
Criminalisation of sex work undermines safety by forcing sex workers to work in isolation and deters them from reporting violence & exploitation for fear of arrest.
Migrant, trans and women of colour disproportionately experience violence and are overly criminalised.
Police resources would be better spent tackling violent crimes instead of policing consenting sex.
New Zealand has successfully decriminalised prostitution with verifiable improvements in sex workers’ safety, health and well-being.
Decriminalisation is supported by prestigious organisations such as the Royal College of Nursing, Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants, Freedom United, Women Against Rape in the UK and internationally Amnesty International, the World Health Organization, Human Rights Watch, UNAIDS, International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, Global Alliance Against Traffic in Women.
THEREFORE, WE DEMAND:
- Decriminalisation of sex work to improve sex workers’ health, safety and welfare.
- Financial support for sex workers wishing to exit sex work.
Petition issued by Safety First Wales – a coalition of sex workers, health professionals, church representatives, anti-racist, anti-poverty, anti-violence, migrant and trans rights campaigners -- formed to decriminalise sex work in Wales and prioritise sex workers’ safety, health, and well-being.