Abstract
In many countries worldwide, sex workers often have no other choice than to carry out their profession in illegal and dark environments. Repressive policies might force them to work in difficult or dangerous fields. They often need to struggle against incomprehension, moral disapproval, prejudices, and increasing stigmatization by society and
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politicians. In New Zealand, the attitude toward a new legislation was never based on a ‘let’s-get-rid-of-prostitution’ vision. Repressive or restricting sex industry policies have never been cogent options in this country. By enacting the Prostitution Reform Act (PRA) in 2003, the New Zealand parliament decided to decriminalize the entire commercial voluntary sex industry. The implementation of the PRA marks a significant turning point in New Zealand’s sex industry. Sex work became seen as legitimate service work. Moreover, the sex branch became able to operate under the same legal rights as any other occupational service group. This integrative policy distinguishes from sex industry policies in other countries in that morality and emotions about prostitution – within its policy making – have been replaced with pragmatism and rationality. A central focus has been placed on human rights improvements for sex workers – promoting their welfare and occupational health and safety, and protecting them from exploitation – as well as on harm minimization, destigmatization, and on promoting public health. In addition to a substantial improvement of the sex workers’ working and living conditions, this new sex industry legislation has a material positive impact on mental aspects such as sex workers’ self-esteem and self-respect. This thesis aims to contribute to existing literature by providing in-depth insights on the effects of this unique sex industry policy with particular reference to the experiences of the sex workers themselves and on the role the New Zealand Prostitutes’ Collective (NZPC), as a social movement organization, played in the decision process. The enactment of the PRA, and NZPC’s influence on the policy process, meant a development that distinguishes itself from the efforts of its allies abroad. NZPC was and still is considered by stakeholders to be a reliable and capable partner in negotiations. It is the first port of call for other stakeholders. This is remarkable given that worldwide, sex worker organizations encounter considerable barriers to effectively organize themselves in a way that sex workers have a successful impact on policy, public tolerance, destigmatization, or improvement of working conditions. The non-paternalizing liberal sex industry policy in New Zealand encourages a minimal intervention in consensual adult sexual agreements, and is focused on self-organization. The voices of the people most involved – the sex workers – are heard and taken seriously.
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