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Public statement: Victorian sex workers now protected from discrimination

10 May 2022

Today is an historic day for Victoria’s sex workers.

After forty years of tireless advocacy by sex workers and their allies, sex work is today being decriminalised in Victoria. Criminal penalties will no longer apply in many circumstances.

Decriminalisation recognises that consensual sex work is legitimate work. It will now be regulated like all other industries in the State, ensuring that sex workers are entitled to the same treatment and protections as any other worker.

Along with decriminalisation, changes have also been made to the Equal Opportunity Act 2010. As of today, sex workers cannot be discriminated against on the basis of their work, or refused accommodation because of their profession.

These anti-discrimination protections will help reduce the social stigma towards sex work, and promote the health, safety and human rights of all sex workers in Victoria.

Changes to the Equal Opportunity Act

  1. New attribute: Profession, trade or occupation

The ‘profession, trade or occupation’ attribute ensures sex workers cannot be discriminated against because of their work.

This will also protect others who face discrimination and stigma because of their job.

  1. Changes for accommodation service providers

The Act was also amended to ensure sex workers can’t be refused accommodation.

Our work

We will work with key peer and other sex worker support services to develop resources on the rights of sex workers under the Equal Opportunity Act. These resources will raise awareness of sex workers’ rights and, where appropriate, support them to make complaints of discrimination.

For more information on the decriminalisation of sex work, visit vic.gov.au/sex-work-decriminalisation

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