Stand Against Legal Exploitation - South Africa - SALE!SA

"Prostitution is nothing but the microcosm of a society where exploitation is
a general rule. It is a symbol of the contempt men have for women."

- Thomas Sankara

"Prostitution is the exploitation of human beings by the dominant system of purchasing power." - Thomas Sankara, 1986

South Africa is on its way to fully decriminalizing prostitution. Yes, this means that prostituted persons will no longer be criminalized - a good thing. BUT it also means that it will be legal to pimp, run a brothel and buy sex.

DO WE REALLY WANT SOUTH AFRICA TO BECOME THE BROTHEL OF AFRICA THE WAY GERMANY IS NOW THE 'BORDELLO' OF EUROPE?

Is this the direction in which we want to push our people - especially our youth - who are struggling to find work, survive and/or provide for their families?

Instead of protecting them, is this our answer for the vulnerable and marginalized (because global research confirms they make up the highest percentage of prostituted persons)?

We could list a hundred reasons as to how harmful a practice prostitution is: from the trauma, to the health hazards, to the strong link with drug abuse and addiction, to the violence experienced within the system (which, by the way, will not change through Full Decriminalization or the next step of Legalization).

You simply need to look at countries like Germany and Spain, and more recently Malawi, to see how Full Decriminalization hasn't made the system any better or safer for those being prostituted. New research (Nov 2022) also shows how legalizing prostitution in Germany has failed, and brings forth some shocking insight from sex buyers themselves - the ones who are driving the demand for this "service".

BUT DID YOU KNOW that one needn't simply decide between "Full Decriminalization" or the current status of "Criminalization". There is a third option, that of "Partial Decriminalization". Survivors are calling for this model, and there is much research and many resources where you can learn more about Partial Decriminalization and why it might be the better option: decriminalizing the prostituted persons (allowing for no arrest and also providing exit programs to assist those wanting to leave prostitution) but keeping pimps, brothel owners and sex buyers criminalized.

But for some reason Partial Decriminalization isn't being highlighted or offered as a viable option - despite being the second recommendation of the SA Law Reform Commission, after their first recommendation of keeping things fully Criminalized! They also made a clear recommendation AGAINST Full Decriminalization as a viable option for South Africa... SO HOW IS THIS NOW EVEN ON THE TABLE?!

Friends, we have until 31 January 2023 to submit our comments. PLEASE take the time to add your voice to this critical decision for South Africa and all her people. Because this move is going to affect every level of society.

"For every woman and girl violently attacked, we reduce our humanity. For every woman forced into unprotected sex because men demand this, we destroy dignity and pride. Every woman who has to sell her life for sex we condemn to a lifetime in prison. For every moment we remain silent, we conspire against our women." - Nelson Mandela

Photo by Kristel Hayes on Unsplash

INCREASE DEMAND FOR SEXUAL SERVICES

Decriminalising (or Legalising) “sex buyers” and therefore fuelling the Demand for Prostitution – “Sex buyers” are at the root of the System of Prostitution. Sex buying is equivalent to treating people as products for consumption. This is not just.

FREE PASS THOSE WHO EXPLOIT THE VULNERABLE

Decriminalising (or Legalising) pimps, brothels, brothel-keepers, buyers and others who profit financially from the sexual abuse and exploitation of Prostituted Persons.

REMOVING HUMAN DIGNITY

Violating international and domestic human rights law – Prostitution is, in itself, recognised as incompatible with the dignity and worth of the human person (UN Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others, ratified by South Africa) and is inherently degrading to women (Constitutional Court of South Africa, O'REGAN J and SACHS J, 2002). The decriminalisation of sex-buyers and pimps will also prevent South Africa to fill its obligations towards the CEDAW Convention, in particular its article 6, and the Palermo Protocol.

SEXIST CULTURE

The normalisation of a sexist culture that promotes commodification and de-valuation of people, mostly marginalised women and girls, who are desperate to survive and provide for their family, by turning them into products of servitude to a system built on Gender Inequality.

INCORRECT TERMINOLOGY

Incorrect terminology and use of wording in the media and public spheres, such as “Sex work”. Sex is not “work” and nor should it be labelled as “work”. Our reasoning and view on this, is in line with International Labour Standards. Furthermore, no International Convention uses the term “Sex work”. Victims are not “Prostitutes” nor “Sex workers”. They are Prostituted Persons. We find these terms problematic and deeply offensive. Sex Trafficking is also not “migration for sex work.” Sex Trafficking includes the abuse of vulnerability, and forcing or coercing a person for the use and exploitation of their body.

SEEING "FORCED" AS "FREE" CHOICE

Dissociating Free Prostitution and Forced Prostitution, as they both serve the interests of pimps and Traffickers.

ABUSE FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS

The abuse from Law Enforcement Officials and the South African Police Service employees who harass, exploit, arrest and deport migrant Prostituted Persons, instead of offering support and protection.

LEGALISING SEX ACTS

The SA Government moving towards FULLY legalising Prostitution – as the next step for the Government will then be to regulate the system.

SALE!SA - Stand Against Legal Exploitation