A REPORT that speaks to a possible decriminalisation of sex work has been completed and will soon be made public, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Thursday. The deputy president was asked what government’s position is on the decriminalisation of sex work was, in light of the fact that sex workers remained the most vulnerable to HIV infection because of the continued criminalisation of sex work.
“The South African Law Reform Commission has completed its report on the issue of the possible decriminalisation of sex work,” the Deputy President said.
He said Cabinet has decided that the report should be released for public comment as part of a broader consultation process.
“Once comments have been received from the public, government will finalise a position on the various options proposed in the Law Reform Commission’s report,” he said.
Read Also: Prestondale brothel shut down
In 2016, the South African National Aids Council launched the National Sex Work Sector Plan to, among other things, reduce the spread of HIV among sex workers.
“It calls for national coordination of a range of interventions to respond to the biomedical, behavioural and social and structural barriers that confront sex workers on a daily basis. The plan seeks to support sex workers not only with healthcare services, but it is also supporting them with human rights, psycho-social and economic empowerment services,” he said.
Read Also: Sin tax for brothels mooted
- Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter to keep up-to-date with local news or follow us on WhatsApp on 060 532 5532.
