Time to read
National AIDS Trust, and our friends and colleagues in the HIV sector, are in full support of a briefing from Decrim Now calling for the decriminalisation of sex work.
The briefing shows how the government’s goals of reaching zero new HIV transmissions by 2030, as set out in the HIV Action Plan, and sex work decriminalisation are inextricably linked.
Decrim Now, a grassroots campaign group, are leading the call for the decriminalisation of sex work, to ensure the health, safety and human rights of sex workers, and everyone living with HIV.
Oluwakemi Agunbiade, Senior Research & Policy Officer, said:
“If the government wants to reach its target to end new HIV transmissions in England by 2030, they must end all criminalisation of sex work in the UK.
We agree with UNAIDS, and the World Health Organisation that decriminalisation of sex work is fundamental to overcome the systemic barriers to accessing HIV testing, treatment and care.
Whilst we welcome the government recognising in the HIV Action Plan that there needs to be a needs assessment for sex work, sex workers will remain worried about accessing essential healthcare services for fear of arrest. If the government want to champion HIV prevention, this is not possible without sex workers feeling safe against abuse, arrest and stigma for their work.
We will continue to stand in solidarity with Decrim Now, other grassroots organisations and the existing campaigning work already done by sex workers.”
Read the full briefing.
Support Decrim Now.