Top 5 Myths About Victoria’s Licensing Model

The Myths

The Facts

Myth 1

Sex work is already decriminalised in Victoria.

Fact 1

Victoria’s licensing model does not decriminalise sex work.¹

Myth 2

It helps prevent the spread of sexually transmissible infections and HIV.

Fact 2

Licensing models of sex work do not combat the spread of STI’s and HIV, they inhibit measures designed to do so

Myth 3

    Only street-based sex work is against the law.

Fact 3

All four sectors of the sex industry are criminalised to varying degrees.³

Myth 4

Licensing/legalisation of sex work is the same as decriminalisation.

Fact 4

Legalisation of sex work is very different from decriminalisation

Myth 5

Victoria’s sex workers operate within the law as the industry is legalised.

Fact 5

The current system means most sex workers are working outside the law

  1. Basil Donovan et al, The Sex Industry in New South Wales

A Report to the NSW Ministry of Health (The Kirby Institute 2012) Page 10, Table 1

<https://www.nswp.org/resource/the-sex-industry-new-south-wales-report-the-nsw-ministry-health>

  1. Basil Donovan et al, The Sex Industry in New South Wales

A Report to the NSW Ministry of Health (The Kirby Institute 2012) Page 7, Recommendation 2

<https://www.nswp.org/resource/the-sex-industry-new-south-wales-report-the-nsw-ministry-health>

  1.  Basil Donovan et al, The Sex Industry in New South Wales

A Report to the NSW Ministry of Health (The Kirby Institute 2012) Page , Legal Responses to Sex Work

<https://www.nswp.org/resource/the-sex-industry-new-south-wales-report-the-nsw-ministry-health>

© Sex Work Law Reform Victoria 2020

Last updated: 9 April 2020