The mermaid on stage bats her aquamarine eyelashes, sequin dress shimmering in the stage lights. New Zealand decriminalized sex work in , and while sex is a topic that rarely comes up in mainstream kiwi culture which tends to be more prudish than American culture , it was something that people talked about pretty openly within feminist and queer spaces. Since , it has been legal in New Zealand for any citizen over 18 years old to buy and sell sexual services, including street-based sex work and running a brothel.
Just as in , in , New Zealand ranked in the highest tier for anti-trafficking standards, as considered by the U. What opponents of decriminalization fail to mention is that the Prostitution Reform Act enabled sex workers to be protected under the Employment and Safety Act, allowing them to better advocate for their rights and report harassment. Additionally, the Nordic Model assumes all sex workers are victims of their work rather than autonomous, self-determined people.
In fact, decriminalization can help give sex workers legal rights , making it easier to seek out resources without fear of legal repercussions. Contrary to common fears, decriminalization could actually allow for more effective responses to combat human trafficking.
Like in New Zealand, decriminalization in the U. Become a Monthly Member News Donate.
