HIV and the Sex Industry

In the 1980’s sex workers in Australia responded quickly to the threat of HIV infection. Condom usage rates rose and thanks to sex workers sharing information, our knowledge of the virus educated clients and the rest of the community. There is no known case in Australia of a sex worker transmitting the virus to a client through sex work. Scarlet Alliance supports the rights of HIV+ sex workers to continue to work, and believe there is no justification for attempting to identify and remove sex workers who are HIV+ from the sex industry. Sex workers continue to play a role in educating clients (and through clients, the broader community) about the need for condom usage and safe sex practices, and as such are an important part in public policy concerning HIV prevention.

"ONE STEP FORWARD, MANY STEPS BACK," Kane Matthews, ABC Opinions and SX, September 2008 The prosecution of a HIV positive man in the ACT turns back the clock on many years of work in HIV prevention and management, writes Kane Matthews.

"HIV is a virus not a crime" Australian HIV Orgs Respond, 19 September 2008 "Australian HIV Organisations today demand decriminalisation of HIV, including sex work," Janelle Fawkes, CEO of Scarlet Alliance, the Australian Sex Workers Association said. The recent XVII International AIDS Conference in Mexico and the 20th Annual Australasian Society for HIV Medicine Conference in Perth have renewed the international focus on effective HIV prevention and the important role of human rights. There is more evidence now than ever regarding HIV transmission, impact and effective prevention programs.

Kane Matthews, Scarlet Alliance "The National Needs Assessment of sex workers who live with HIV" 2008 This report reflects our needs and issues. The development of this project occured under the supervision and direction of Scarlet Alliance with the assistance of social researcher Eva Cox, and the NAPWA advisory position. It was developed and executed by and on behalf of the sex workers who live with HIV. We understand our own lives best and how the world sees us. The needs and issues reflected here all come from the people who courageously came forward, identified themselves as HIV positive sex workers, told their stories and shared their views. While views, needs and issues varied between people, there are commonalities between us all. We hope that the stakeholders and policy makers to whom this report is targeted listen to us and take appropriate action to make change, especially where we cannot. A key issue for all HIV positive sex workers is self protection. Protecting ourselves from the hysteria and over-reaction of people who do not know our lives, who do not understand what the situation is like and who only see the disease and the sex work and not the human being. In order for this protection to be maintained, we ask that others advocate for us, and this report is what we are presenting in order for you all to advocate effectively. ISBN 978-0-646-49555-2

Sex workers and the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence in Mardi Gras 2006

Rachel Wottons "HIV prevention strategies within the Australian sex worker population - an overview of successful implementation". This was an oral presention at the 2008 International AIDS Conference in Mexico, and essential reading to understand sex workers HIV education in Australia.

"Redefining AIDS In Asia - Crafting an Effective Response" Report of the Commission on AIDS in Asia 2008 Download PDF report on HIV in Asia, 1.59Mb. This report explores the regional issues, and reminds us that HIV knows no borders - thus we must approach HIV issues from a regional perspective.

Elena Reynaga and Anna-Louise Crago, Mexico Conference Presentation, August 2008. This presentation links stigma, discrimination and HIV prevention.

UNGASS, Keeping the Promise Link to this website, dedicated to following international HIV policy targets. Link to official UNGASS Website

10 reasons to oppose the criminalisation of HIV exposure or transmission published by the Open Society Institute in 2008.

Sex Workers Rally Against the Pope, Sydney, 2008

Review of the 4th National Strategy HIV/AIDS Scarlet Alliance Scarlet paints a bleak picture of Government commitment to support sex workers and sex worker organisations, and addresses terms of reference of the review. (4th National Strategy

Different perspectives on the epidemic Sue Metzenrath, AFAO presentation 2002. Sue proposes that sex workers are still denied a place in the debate regarding HIV/AIDS education, and explores the effects this has had on the sex industry.

International HIV/AIDS Education Kit Sex Work Scarlet Alliance, 2000 A positive and glossy report on the positives of HIV/AIDS education in Australia as carried out by sex worker organizations.

Successful HIV/AIDS Prevention Strategies in Australia; The Role of Sex Worker Organisations Penelope Saunders 1999 A brief look at the contribution of sex worker organizations to community based HIV prevention in Australia, the role of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, and the ramifications of criminalisation of the industry.

Ho Down sex workers march in May Day in Darwin, 2006

The Constutution of AIDS in Australia: Taking ‘Government at a Distance’ Seriously John Ballard A walk through Australian Government response to HIV/AIDS with minor reference to sex work. Provides an overview of policy and some of the motivations behind funding of HIV/AIDS Education programs, and argues the success of ‘Government at a distance’ policies. Written in 1999.

International HIV/AIDS Policy Information Kit, Background and Critique John Ballard This previously unpublished paper was written for the kit in June 1998, but was since discarded in favour of a less critical view. An easy to read discussion of health policy development in Australia and input into the Third National HIV/AIDS Strategy.

Address to the Melbourne ICAAP Conference 2001 Sharon Burrows; President ACTU; A populist but pro-human rights approach by the trade union leader. At the time she was the president of the International Congress of Free Trade Unions (Asia Pacific Region). She mentions the effect of work on peoples’ susceptibility to HIV infection and poverty, and “it is vital that these women (sex workers) are seen as being engaged in work and therefore have the same rights as other workers to organise and to expect that their right to health and safety at work are respected.”

Handbook for Legislators on HIV/AIDS, Law and Human Rights UNAIDS Interparliamentary Union. A beaurocratic but none the less powerful internationalist approach to domestic laws. “Criminal law in the area of prostitution impedes the provision of HIV/AIDS prevention and care by driving people engaged in the industry underground. Such laws should be reviewed with the aim to decriminalise sex work…” (Pg 56)

Updated 25th March 2009