RhED in 2011 ~ knowing where we’ve come from PCV to RhED What RhED does Shirley Where to from here PCV in 1995 and worked 2 years in street sex work program Moved into brothel/escort and private in 2007 and have continued there on a part time basis PCV was managed by peer workers until 2000 and then the funding was transferred to Inner South Community Health Services Since then, RhED has been made up of peers and other professionals The program has grown to include Pathways to Exit program, the Arrest Referral Program and Hustling to Health

for sex workers (of all sexes, genders and sexualities) clients families and significant others Funded to provide: Health education Information Counselling/support* Referral Advocacy *Support with housing, exiting and legal matters RhED is for – female, males and trans across Victoria Funded to provide Health education around STIs, sexual health – Information re laws Debriefing/support – supported accommodation assistance program Exiting – Pathways to Exit Arrest Referral Program - Referrals – to sex worker friendly accountants, lawyers Advocacy

How is it done …. Ugly Mugs Funded by: At 10 Inkerman St – drop in 1-5pm Tue-Fri H2H – Friday 5-11pm By telephone On outreach Street, health bus, foot patrol Brothels/escort agencies/private workers throughout Victoria Community presentations and campaigns The RED magazine Funded by: The Department of Health – Department of Human Services Department of Justice Project funding Funding bodies include The Department of Health Department of Human Services Department of Justice Project funding Project funding is ongoing. We all do this by telephone, on site and on outreach On outreach – street – condoms/lube, safe injecting equipment To brothels – magazine, resources aimed at brothel workers’ needs – and sponges and other “freebies” eg female condoms Resources: magazine RED published twice yearly, starting out pack, POWER, LIP and UGLY MUG reports circulated to street and brothel/escort Ugly Mugs

What has changed Professionalisation The internet Social media The 1800 number Increased regulation Red Rendezvous Clients Changes: The sex industry has professionalized – regulated under PCA 1995 and now Sex Work Act – changing language can … RhED has professionalized – from a small group of people to a team of 10 with two paid peer workers and three volunteer workers. RhED is on the internet with a website and a Facebook page Sex industry businesses are on the internet – and the internet is now the chosen choice in advertising for exempt escorts RhED has a 1800 number Red Rendezvous – a network of sex workers Clients are now used to condom use and STI checks – mandatory since 1995 (although used prior to this) Position paper/Stiletto Patrol /

What has not changed The general community’s perception of the sex industry The unregulated industry What has not changed: The community’s perception of the sex industry The tip of the iceberg - visual images of street sex workers that are portrayed by the media – research also is skewed to street sex work industry Vulnerable group – with many support services. Underneath that tip is the legal industry - Sex workers, receptionists, managers, owners, clients, families of all those groups and then others including accountants, cleaners, suppliers, regulatory bodies, health bodies, Over the years, people have asked why provide services to a legal industry : Because the majority of sex workers in Victoria do not tell their communities they are sex workers Because the owners and managers operate in a highly regulated arena and cannot advertise for any managerial staff, reception staff, cleaners, accountants and so on Because the majority of owners do not want the general public nor their families to know they run a brothel (due to stigma and discrimination) There is often the comment “why don’t brothel owners form lobby groups (similar to the clubs with pokie machines) –the majority of sex industry owners do not want to be identified – To date there is only one real estate company that in the sex industry The unregulated industry – so street but also the illegal brothels or massage parlours that are dotted around the state – 

Red Rendezvous Focus groups Outreach H2H Peer Red Rendezvous Focus groups Outreach H2H Shirley notes

Where to from here RhED aims to improve the health and wellbeing of sex workers across Victoria To seek safe spaces for street sex workers to work from To access resources/funds for migrant sex workers To advocate on behalf of exempt escort workers to be able to work from a range of settings to prevent OH&S risks Shirley notes