Sex workers as safe sex advocates: Sex workers protect both themselves and the wider community from HIV
Bates, J.; Berg, R.
Aids Education and Prevention Official Publication of the International Society for Aids Education 26(3): 191-201
2014
ISSN/ISBN: 1943-2755 PMID: 24846482 DOI: 10.1521/aeap.2014.26.3.191Document Number: 267336
Since the advent of HIV, significant changes have made the Australian sex industry one of the safest in the world. Creating this safety has been in large part due to the ability of sex workers to act as safe sex advocates through peer-based health promotion; to negotiate with sex business owners; and to inform and participate in the development of government policy. Empowerment of sex workers through legislative reform and government funding of sex worker organizations has been central to the prevention of HV transmission, as has been the development of genuine partnership between sex worker organizations, government departments and those working in public health. The paper describes these responses in some detail and explores some of the current issues facing sex workers in Australia.