Benefits of Decriminalization: Better Business Practices
Most of the regulatory practices listed on this page, as touched upon earlier, can’t be made into laws but they are still very important in the effort to improve the business practices of the sex worker market. Some ways to implement the tips listed are to pass them on to sex worker organizations and brothel owners, or to create programs that will pass these tips on to sex workers, maybe with the incentive of pay to encourage the workers to take the day off to receive these helpful tips.
One outcome of the regulations, from decriminalization, of sex work is better business practices, for the workers, clients, and sex worker establishments (brothels). In the “Occupational Health & Safety Handbook” [7] written by the St. James Infirmary teaches sex workers efficient ways, to stay safe while still maximizing their profits. The book is an important resource for improving the occupation of sex work.
One major contribution of this book is allowing the profession to be safer to work in. It gives the worker’s advice on how to remain safe from violence and the importance of checking ones health regularly. There need to be regulations implemented, by sex worker establishments and sex worker agencies, to take advantage of these tips such as the importance of condom use, how to handle stress, the value of health checkups, and how to handle violence from clients and one’s family. The book also stresses the importance of not working alone and having other workers there to look out for one another. These tips if implemented correctly can go a long way in the effort, to make the sex work environment safer. They will not only improve the working conditions of the women but also their future potential clients, who may fall victim to STIs from unsafe sex with workers, who could be carriers.
The handbook also discusses the importance of “Working Smarter, Not Harder”. [8] This illustrates the ways in which sex workers can maximize their profits without having to overwork themselves. The tips it lists regard the best times of day to work, the importance of setting goals and going home once they are met, how to advertise oneself properly, and the best way to dress to attract clients but still remain safe. These tips need to be passed on to the workers, in more a more formal manner in order to reach more workers, so they can get the training they need to improve their business practices. It will allow the women to profit from the business, which they labor for, while still being able avoid overworking one’s self.
Lastly, the handbook then talks about the legal aspects of the occupation, just like any other job. It discusses the importance of knowing ones rights, and how to recover unpaid back wages from employers, such as strip clubs and brothels. It even pushes the issue of how this is a business by talking about the importance of still paying your taxes no matter where the money came from. These workers need to be informed of their rights and how to file complaints when they are mistreated. This will lead to better off workers and decrease the amount of exploitation against them.
[7] [8] Akers, Naomi, MPH, and Cathryn Evans, eds. Occupational Health & Safety Handbook. 2010.