An industry ignored by many, yet older than time itself, prostitution is a world many Newcastillians cannot wrap their heads around due to the violence, extortion and abuse these people endure. However, following the recent Sex Workers Symposium held in Pietermaritzburg by KZN Legislature—sex workers might soon find themselves in a decriminalised industry, a massive triumph, according to a few prostitutes we spoke with.
Firstly, the symposium saw sex workers, municipal and legislature officials, and sex work advocates, including Sisonke, Asijiki, Sex Workers Education and Advocacy Taskforce (Sweat), discuss the realities of sex workers in KZN. During the event, it was highlighted that Gender-Based Violence could not be separated from the abuse sex workers faced. It was further noted that prostitutes are often stigmatised, with few people willing to stand up for their rights.
Among the challenges they faced, it was stated police brutality and discrimination by healthcare workers at specific clinics when collecting their HIV medication were noteworthy. Moreover, it was mentioned that due to prostitution being illegal, sex workers could not receive any government support, especially during the hard lockdown.
With the above in mind and public participation playing a pivotal role in the event, the KZN Legislature resolved to fast-track the process of decriminalising and regulating sex work, intending to provide sex workers across the country with much-needed freedom.
In an interview with our editor, according to Lihle, a woman who has been working as a prostitute for seven years—with the potential legalisation changes coming into effect, she and her colleagues could conduct their work more professionally and discreetly. “We would not have to work on the streets but rather from a building.”
Being able to work from a residence, Lihle notes that she and her fellow sex workers would not have to stand outside, enduring the elements, being exposed to potential crime. “We would also not have to worry about losing our cellphones in the grass or damaging our clothing. By working in rooms, our customers don’t have to worry about being seen by other people.”
However, another sex worker, Lindiwe, explains that the decriminalisation of prostitution would protect them from the police. Having worked as a prostitute for 11 years, she states, “The police force us to have sex with them. They will even take videos of us having sex with their partners, and threaten to put the videos on social media. We can’t have these videos go out, as our children do not know what we do for a living and if they or their school friends see the videos, imagine what it would do to our children.”
Moreover, Lindiwe highlights police also assault sex workers, use pepper spray on them, and will refuse to pay for sex. According to this hooking veteran, if a prostitute makes a scene, the police will take them into the station and charge them a fine of R1 500. “We can’t pay these fines and we can’t say anything, because who do we go to?” she announces. The two “ladies of the night” explain by legalising prostitution, a safer environment will be created, ensuring they do not have to stress about their safety—as abuse, rape, and theft, currently form part of their daily lives.
What are your thoughts on the matter? Do you feel sex work should be decriminalised and why?
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