Realising Justice for Sex Workers

Through the lens of social rather than criminal justice, this lively collection of essays asks questions about how the rights of sex workers can be realised, with the ambition of finding real possibilities for positive social change. Embedding the needs, choices, circumstances and experiences of sex workers in everyday institutions, policies and services, the task ahead to achieve full citizenship is made clear. Calling for an Agenda for Change, these authors showcase exciting new empirical work which moves the focus from the individual sex worker to broader conditions we all should be privy to in a civilised society. The topics covered embrace a whole range of issues: equality; governance; legislation; migration; gender; rights and racism. -- Teela Sanders, Professor of Criminology, University of Leicester
These thoughtful essays lay out a compelling argument for decriminalization as the first step in achieving recognition and redistributive justice for sex workers. They also detail the need for new forms of knowledge of sex work, gained from incorporating sex workers in the deliberative process.  -- Judith Walkowitz, Professor Emerita of History, Johns Hopkins University
Despite the inherent legality of prostitution in most jurisdictions, sex workers remain stigmatised and made vulnerable by laws and policies that treat them as criminal or exploited. This important volume addresses this head-on, and asks what rights sex workers should have if they are to be given the liberties and freedoms most take for granted. Drawing on case studies from a range of international contexts, and informed by a range of theoretical perspectives, this fascinating book goes beyond description to offer a prescription that will be essential reading for all scholars of sex work. -- Phil Hubbard, Professor of Urban Studies, Kings College London
Never at any other time in history have sex workers been so vocal and organised in defence of their rights. In a context of increased criminalisation and ideology-based prohibitionism, Realising Justice for Sex Workers offers new ideas and innovative approaches which prioritise sex workers’ needs and demands as part of its collaborative and transformative “Agenda for Change’. -- Luca Stevenson, Coordinator of the International Committee on the Rights of Sex Workers in Europe