Access to justice is a fundamental right that ensures everyone is treated equally under the law and able to seek and receive fair protection without fear of discrimination, stigmatisation, or legal repercussions.
However, for sex workers, this right is usually severely restricted. Criminalisation, stigmatisation, and social marginalisation result in crimes against sex workers being infrequently reported, inadequately investigated, and rarely handled with the necessary care. Additionally, when targeted as offenders, including for the (unauthorised or unlawful) provision of sexual services, soliciting, working together for safety, vagrancy, loitering, littering, or causing a public disturbance, or under repressive migration regulations, the rights of sex workers are often violated, and they are excluded from the legal protections to which they are entitled.
Exposed From All Sides: The Role of Policing in Sex Workers' Access to Justice uses participatory research methodology - it is a study designed and conducted by sex workers themselves. With over 200 interviews across 11 countries, it is the biggest sex workers' led research ever conducted in Europe.
Full report available now - read here!
If you’re pressed for time and can’t dive into the full report right now, we've got you covered! Below you will find a concise policy brief that captures all the essential insights and key takeaways.
Read the Policy Brief!
To commemorate this important occasion, ESWA organised a two-day convening to celebrate the report’s launch, which culminated in a presentation at the European Parliament hosted by MEP Estelle Ceulemans. The event was live-streamed, and you can watch the recording here or see the event agenda here.
