NZPC

A powerful day of learning in Aotearoa 🇳🇿 Engaging with @DrLynziA & MP Ricardo Menéndez March on what decrim looks like in practice more than 20 years on. From research that sustains advocacy, to policymakers who listen to the people — these conversations matter & matters for 🇿🇦

Grateful to Aotearoa @NZPC_ for hosting SWEAT & Asijiki. Over 20 years since they achieved decrim & we’re here to learn directly from sex workers, organisers & policymakers, because in the face of misinformation — lived experience matters. #DecrimSexWork #SexWorkisWork

A small, unexpected moment — finding SWEAT & @Sisonke_ZA in Aotearoa 🇳🇿 Even here, decades after decriminalisation, the connection to SA remains. Because this movement is bigger than borders — and it doesn’t end with one win. ✊🏽🌍 #decrimsexwork

We can more freely contribute to and participate in society.

We experience less violence.

Tuesday the 3rd of March was International S*x Workers' Rights Day. We know that when s*x workers' rights are upheld by law:

Bravo to the SW who stood for justice in Belgium.

REPOST from @NZPC Auckland Things I wish I had known about when I started SW 🍒 “I wish that I had done more research on places to work from before I started” Every establishment and style of work has it’s pros and cons - different strokes for different folks! Just remember that if you are unhappy with your work situation, you can always change it up. “two words - dental dams” The use of dental dams is definitely becoming more standardised in the industry...slowly but surely! Dental dams are a great way to protect against STIs. We use c0ndoms for B Js right, why not protect vulv@s too? “If I could go back, I would tell myself to manage my money better”. This is a really common one! and extra hard at the moment with the cost of living. When people first start doing SW, they are usually not used to being paid cash. It can be hard to adjust. It’s a good idea to put money aside for when it’s unexpectedly quiet at work, and for tax at the end of the year. “It took me awhile to get comfortable with telling clients what to do and not do. I wish I had known earlier” Absolutely. It’s so important that if you’re going to do SW, you feel confident in being assertive, discussing consent and establishing boundaries with clients. I think sometimes new workers (and the general public) have this perception that because you’re being paid for services, you are obliged to do whatever the client wants... which is so not the case! Workers should have full control of what happens in the room. We decide, we direct and we can choose to end the booking at any moment, for any reason.

It gives people more time to think about what they want to do next. NZPC can support you through this process.

CW: SA Kia ora SWrs in Aotearoa: do you know about 'just in case' forensic examinations? A 'just in case' is a forensic examination that can be done after a s*xual harm (within seven days) which allows for evidence to be stored without immediate police involvement.

@Sex_Workers So frustrating... our appeals have gone unanswered as well.

@NZPC_ We had that problem with Facebook. It suspended the page of WHORE it held for 15 years supposedly for violation of community standards. Our appeals to have it restored was met in silence.

Update: our original account has been deleted by Instagram... follow our new Instagram account @nzpc.aotearoa 🩷

Why is the 'Wh*rearchy' problematic? This idea of ‘good wh*res vs bad wh*res’ perpetuates stigma and harms us all. Disproportionately targets workers who are already marginalised. Creates divide amongst the SW community.