Decriminalisation of sex work
CGE ‘step closer’ to having sex work decriminalised
Parliament tabled the Commission for Gender Equality’s investigative report into the impact of police abuse against sex workers.
The study, which was compiled over a period of year, found that a high number of sex workers are afraid of the police.
The Commission for Gender Equality has urged faith based organisations not to view decriminalisation of sex work negatively but as a step in the right direction to help South Africans trapped in the industry.
Decriminalisation would see criminal penalties being removed for sex workers as well as those making use of their services.
Human settlement portfolio committee chair Nocawe Mafu confirmed the ANC decision on Wednesday after giving feedback on discussions about social transformation at the party's conference at Nasrec.
Nosipho Vidima of Sweat described the abuse and harassment of sex-workers, especially by the police.
The criminalisation of sex work renders these workers to vulnerable to exploitation, abuse and HIV infection.