Sex work - what is it?
Sex work is the exchange of sexual services for money or goods.
Sexual Services - what are they?
The definition of sexual services adopted in Victoria has three
main activities under it. They are:
- Taking part with someone in an act of sexual penetration. This includes oral,
anal and vaginal sexual penetration. If you put a tongue, finger or other part of the
body or an object, into a vagina, anus or mouth - or let any of these things be done
to you - it's an act of sexual penetration (Crimes Act 1958).
- Masturbating someone. To be considered masturbating, their genitals can be clothed and they don't have to cum.
- Letting someone view acts of sexual penetration or masturbation when there is any form of
physical contact between any watcher and any watched or when any watcher is allowed or
encouraged to masturbate.
If you get money or goods for doing any of these things, you are doing sex work.
Is Sex Work Legal?
Sex work is a legal job in Victoria, if you adhere to the Prostitution Control Act (1994).
No matter where you work:
- you must be over the age of 18 to do sex work, and
- the choice to do sex work must be yours, that is, it is against the law for anyone to force or bully you into sex work.
Attention Owners and Managers
Important information regarding brothel and escort credit transactions.
What’s Legal in the Sex Industry and What’s Not
This information sheet provides an overview on what’s legal in the sex industry and what’s not including brothels, escorts, massage parlours and relaxation centres and the streets.
LIP – Legal Issues for Professionals
LIP is produced and published as a joint project of RhED and the St Kilda Legal Service Co-op. It is a booklet for sex workers providing comprehensive information about:
The legal set up for sex work in Victoria
Dealing with the police and other officials
Health and the law
Tax
Industrial rights
LIP also provides a directory of services relevant to sex workers, including where to go to make complaints if you have been treated unfairly.
POWER
Sex that is not negotiated is not part of the deal. Sexual assault is not part of the job. POWER is a booklet that highlights sexual violence issues for workers in the sex industry and encourages them to take action.
Report an ‘Ugly Mug’ On-line
‘Ugly Mugs’ is a service that provides an avenue through which sex workers can report people (Mugs) who commit offences against them.
Safety Tips for Escort Workers
Escort workers frequently visit unfamiliar places to service clients who are unknown to them, therefore, escort work can be risky. This information sheet has been produced to inform escort workers about the dangers they may encounter on the job, and to suggest some strategies for dealing with difficult situations.
Tips for Novices – that is, workers who are new to the sex industry
This information sheet provides tips for working in the industry without the industry working you!
Advertising Tips for Private Workers
This information sheet has been produced to provide private escort workers with an overview of the laws relating to advertising, some tips on how to prepare your advertisement and a list of places to advertise.
Risky Business
The Risky Business Project is specifically focused on the needs of street sex workers with regard to reducing sexual violence, and more generally toward the needs of the local community in reducing the impact of street sex work and injecting drug use. The Risky Business Project has produced the Risky Business Safety Kit.
Drugs and Working
Its not a good idea to use drugs that dull your senses or affect your co-ordination when you’re working (this includes alcohol and pharmacy drugs). This information sheet provides information about drugs and working.
Occupational Health & Safety
In Australia, all workers – no matter what industry they work in – have the right not to have their health put at risk through carrying out the normal requirements of their work.
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