Politicians in NSW and Queensland are trying to further liberalise prostitution in those states, claiming that removing restrictions around prostitution will “promote health” and “safety”, ensuring it is treated “like any other job”.
But the assault, rape, trafficking, PTSD, homelessness, drug and alcohol abuse rampant throughout the prostitution industry are incompatible with both of these. Prostitution is nothing like "any other job", and the violent commodification of women’s bodies can never be made “safe”.
Moreover, in countries where prostitution is legalised or “decriminalised”, there is evidence to show that there is such a significant expansion of the prostitution market that human trafficking in those countries increases. In other words, removing restrictions on prostitution fuels demand which in turn fuels sex trafficking.
Sex trafficking is one of the greatest injustices of our time, and its victims are overwhelmingly women and girls.
‘Buying Her’ tackles this critical injustice as the first documentary ever to explore the lives of sex buyers and what drives them.
This week, Women’s Forum Australia joined with US non-profit Exodus Cry for the Sydney premiere of ‘Buying Her’ at our International Women’s Day event tackling sex trafficking and how we can end its demand.
We are especially grateful to US non-profit Exodus Cry for bringing the film 'Buying Her' down to Australia from the US and to our panellists Ally-Marie Diamond, Survivor Leader and Co-Founder of Wahine Toa Rising, Blake Loaney, Reach Manager at A21 Australia, Women’s Forum Australia CEO Rachael Wong, Daniel Principe, Youth Advocate & Educator, and Dr Marshall Ballantine-Jones, Researcher & Educator.
As the film and panellists both made abundantly clear: If we want to end sex trafficking, we must end the demand that fuels it.
Women’s Forum Australia is an independent think tank that undertakes research, education and public policy advocacy on issues affecting women and girls, with a particular focus on addressing behaviours and practices that are harmful and abusive to them. We are a non-partisan, non-religious, tax-deductible charity. We do not receive any government funding and rely solely on donations to make an impact. Support our work today.
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