Sex work, justice and decriminalisation: beyond a politics of recognition in promoting a social justice response to women at the margins

Ryan, A. (2020) Sex work, justice and decriminalisation: beyond a politics of recognition in promoting a social justice response to women at the margins. In: Buxton, J., Margo, G. and Burger, L. (eds.) The Impact of Global Drug Policy on Women: Shifting the Needle. Emerald Publishing Limited: Bingley, YK, pp. 91-100. ISBN 9781839828850 (doi: 10.1108/978-1-83982-882-920200015)

Abstract

This chapter explores sex work and compares legal regimes in two case study contexts of Scotland and New Zealand. It highlights parallels in policy norms and approaches towards women in sex work and women who use drugs, including stigmatisation and punishment of ‘deviant’ women or alternatively, approaches that seek to ‘rescue’ women and which frames them as victims. Different policy approaches and regulatory regimes are discussed but the chapter argues that without attention to social justice issues, the structural drivers of women’s engagement in sex work will continue to be overlooked. Participation in policy processes by those with lived experience is emphasised, both to ensure better understanding of sex work by policymakers, and also in recognition of the citizenship, voice and agency of sex workers.

• Item Type: Book Sections
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Ryan, Dr Anastacia
• Authors: Ryan, A.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Urban Studies
• Publisher: Emerald Publishing Limited
• ISBN: 9781839828850
• Published Online: 19 November 2020
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 Anastacia Ryan
• First Published: First published in The Impact of Global Drug Policy on Women: Shifting the Needle: 91-100
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License