The Importance of Decriminalizing Sex Work in America

By criminalizing voluntary and consensual sex work, the government is providing consenting adults with rules on who they can have sexual relations with along with the circumstances. Criminalization of sex work induces vulnerability towards sex workers regarding violence, rape, assault and murder due to the fact that sex workers are seen as easy targets because of the negative stigma placed upon sex workers, Human Rights Watch. 

There are so many reasons why sex work should be decriminalized, without it there is a negative impact on other human rights. Where sex work is criminalized, sex workers are often less likely to advocate for their rights, work together to support themselves, protect themselves and be organized as workers, Human Rights Watch. 

Does Decriminalizing Sex Work Protect Sex Workers?

Decriminalizing sex work actually increases the safety of sex workers by promoting legal action and allowing human rights such as access to health care. Sex workers are exposed to violence due to the fact that they are often working in criminalized environments. Decriminalization of sex work can induce safety and reduce crime such as sexual violence against sex workers, ACLU.

Often, sex workers will go without medical attention due to the fear of arrest or even poor treatment due to the criminalization and stigma regarding sex work. Because the law does not view sex work as a “real” job, there is no employer based health insurance, making it even more difficult for a sex worker to receive and afford health care.

Decriminalization of Sex Work Challenges State Control Over Bodies and Sexuality

How can we access the right of privacy and freedom over sex and sexual expression? Decriminalizing sex work!! There is such a large difference of treatment towards sex work work from other types of work, this is a great example of the governments extreme history of having control over bodily autonomy and sexuality. 

Decriminalization of sex work result in respect for gender equality and sexual rights. These laws that criminalize sex work impose boundaries regarding the control over bodies of women and LGBTI persons, making up a large majority of sex workers in America. 

Similar to state controls over reproductive rights as well as sexual acts between consenting adults, criminal laws that criminalize sex work, strive toward legislating morality with little to no regard or thought for bodily autonomy, Open Society Foundations.

How Would the Decriminalization of Sex Work Affect Society and Sex Workers?

Not only would the decriminalization of sex work reduce the stigma around sex workers, but also the ongoing discrimination towards them. Sex workers have developed the knowledge in avoiding police, they have created their own sense of security and decriminalization of sex work would mean they are no longer breaking laws because they work in sex. Sex workers would be able to openly advertise their services and openly state boundaries with clients. Being able to work without constant fear of arrest would make such a difference for sex workers as it is their profession and should be treated as so. Sex workers would be able to openly report discriminatory or abusive behavior in the workplace, they would also have the option to work alone, for someone or even hire employees of their own to help with work such as finding and booking clients. 

Sex workers deserve the same legal protection as everybody else with access to the same healthcare rights. Decriminalization would bring sex workers out of the fearful margins and lead them into a protected work place from both society and law, ACLU. 

There are so many reasons why the decriminalization of sex work would make such a positive impact on America. The reduction of police violence, access to health care, and increased financial independence are just a few crucial examples of why decriminalization is so needed. 

How to Support Sex Work and Sex Workers

If you’re not a sex worker you can still support the cause, get involved and help in many ways like donating and protesting. There are lots of different organizations that work towards decriminalizing sex work in America such as ACLU, Harm Reduction, Swop USA and Human Rights Watch. By donating to these organizations, you are making a difference as most are only funded by people like you as many don’t accept money from the government. 

It is so important to get involved in this cause due to the toll it takes on sex workers and the stigma surrounding sex work in society. On a positive note, there are lots of private companies that are working to decriminalize sex work in America, making it easily accessible to help out.