Sex Work
Sex workers face physical, psychological, sexual, economic, and other forms of violence from a wide range of perpetrators, including police, clients, health care providers, government bodies, and others. Human Rights Watch research has repeatedly found that the criminalization of sex work – including partial criminalization – exacerbates, or is one of the underlying causes, of much of this violence. Human Rights Watch encourages all governments to work directly with sex workers to enact data-driven, rights-based policies, including the full decriminalization of consensual adult sex work.
-
Global
November 28, 2023
-
Europe/Central Asia
September 7, 2023
-
Europe/Central Asia
Videos
Videos-
August 7, 2019
-
May 6, 2015
Greece: Police Abusing Marginalized People
Target the Homeless, Drug Users, Sex Workers in Athens
-
June 18, 2013
“Treat Us Like Human Beings”
Discrimination against Sex Workers, Sexual and Gender Minorities, and People Who Use Drugs in Tanzania
-
News
-
-
September 12, 2023
Open letter of the European Coalition on Sex Workers’ Rights and Inclusion to Members of the European Parliament Re: Prostitution Report
-
January 26, 2023
Spain Debates Dangerous Sex Work Law
Across Europe, Criminalization is Linked to Increases in Sexual Assault, Harassment, Attacks
-
December 14, 2022
South African Leadership Makes Moves to Decriminalize Sex Work
Decades of Activism by Sex Workers Has Highlighted Dangers of Criminalization
-
September 20, 2021
South Sudanese Officials Intimidate Sex Worker on Camera
Government Should Protect Sex Workers, Enhance HIV/AIDs Education
-
January 21, 2021
Norway Arrests Highlight Impact of Pandemic on Sex Workers
Governments Should Include Sex Workers in Public Health and Financial Support Responses
-
November 25, 2020
Sex Workers’ Safety in the Balance in Scotland
Consultation Ignores Safest Option for Workers — Full Decriminalization
-
May 4, 2020
Sex Workers Struggle to Survive Covid-19 Pandemic
Criminalization Makes a Bad Situation Worse
-
January 30, 2020
More Americans Favor Decriminalizing Sex Work
Decriminalization Could Help End Abuses Against Sex Workers in the US
-
September 19, 2019
US: Block Law Endangering Sex Workers
Human Rights Watch, Partners to Appeal 2017 ‘FOSTA’ Law