Brothels, escort services and massage parlours to be reviewed under sex work probe
Melbourne suburbs are littered with illegal sex dens, prompting a massive statewide review of brothels, escort services and massage parlours. And it could lead to the decriminalisation of sex work.
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Brothels, escort services and massage parlours will be put under the microscope as part of an unprecedented review in Victoria that could lead to the decriminalisation of sex work.
The state government launched the statewide sex work review today, which will be headed by Reason Party Leader Fiona Patten, who has been a long time advocate of sex workers’ rights.
The inquiry will investigate all forms of sex work with a focus on how to make workplaces safer, as well as ways to address the criminal activity plaguing the industry.
Public health and safety of workers will also be a top priority.
Consumer Affairs Minister Marlene Kairouz announced the review today saying it was a step forward.
“This is about ensuring the sex work industry is operating as effectively and safely as it should be,” she said.
“Fiona Patten is well placed to lead a review into decriminalisation and consider whether it would minimise opportunities for corruption, increase transparency and improve sex worker safety and access to protections.”
Ms Patten said it was an “immensely proud moment”.
“The regulation of sex work has not undergone a significant review in Victoria since 1985 – and given calls for sex work reform across Australia and growing interest in decriminalisation – it is time to consider this reform.”
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The six-month review will commence early in 2020, with Ms Patten to provide recommendations to government before the end of the year.
It comes as Melbourne’s suburbs are dealing with hundreds of illegal brothels that are concerning authorities and operating unregulated.
In some cases women are being offered up free as prizes to regular customers, there is also concerns women are being trafficked through the illegal operators.