Support

• Priscilla Alexander, Co-founder of the National Task Force on Prostitution. "Contextual Risk Versus Risk Behaviour". Research for Sex Work. 2001 – "For HIV/AIDS prevention to succeed, the conditions of risk have to change. The context – legal, social, economic – of sex work has to change, with repeal of criminal laws, access to visas and work permits, freedom of movement and association, and occupational safety and health regulations, to reduce the imposition of risk from above. Until then, it will be heroic, strong individuals that can insist on safe behaviours, leaving those who are less heroic, those who are more timid and afraid, to suffer the consequences of the context of risk."[1]

• Glenn Betteridge, LL.B., Senior Policy Analyst for the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network. Quoted in December 13th, 2005. "Report Calls On Federal Government To Decriminalize Prostitution" – "These laws [criminalizing acts associated with prostitution], and the way in which they’re enforced, push sex workers into situations that put their health and safety at risk, and leave them open to stigma and discrimination, violence, and possible exposure to HIV."[2]

• Gabriela Silva Leite, Co-ordinator of Rede Nacional de Profissionais do Sexo. NewsHour with Jim Lehrer’s. July 16, 2003 – "…[Legal] prostitution is definitely helping to stop AIDS. Since 1989 we were one of the first movements, along with the gay men’s movement, to engage in this fight and to work with prevention. Demanding condoms for men, we’ve been working with the government seriously, and we are one of the players in this fight inside the Brazilian solution to AIDS."[3]

• Australian Federation of AIDS Organizations (AFAO) policy analyst John Godwin. "Two Steps Back?". HIV Australia. April/May 2003′ – "Australian sex workers have very low rates of STIs and HIV, and most enjoy better sexual health than the general community. There is a strong culture of safe sex in the industry and condom use is now an almost universal practice. Excellent sexual health standards have been developed voluntarily, without criminalising the involvement of sex workers with STIs or HIV in the industry."[4]