Stand Against Legal Exploitation South Africa (“SALE!SA”) gives an unequivocal NO to the Full Decriminalisation of Prostitution in South Africa and raises several worrying issues that are ignored, deceptively portrayed, and obfuscated.

Pretoria, South Africa – SALE!SA is a collective, dedicated to eradicating Sexual Exploitation in South Africa (including Prostitution) and strongly opposes the South African Government’s efforts to Fully Decriminalise not only Prostitution, but a far wider ecosystem of abuse and violence (Read our Manifesto).

SALE!SA opposes the Full Decriminalisation of Prostitution, based on the lived experiences of Prostituted women, Prostituted Persons, Survivors of the System of Prostitution, and so-called ‘workers’ in the System of Prostitution, as confirmed by independent research evidence (Read our Analysis of the Bill).

We declare that Prostitution is violence against women and Prostituted Persons. We have united with various stakeholders - individuals, organisations and cultures - as well as poor and disadvantaged individuals who live in South Africa. We recognise that the faces of those bought, sold and exploited in the System of Prostitution, are predominantly women, as well as those of marginalised and vulnerable communities.