If you want to support sex workers in our fight for safety, you can:

- email your MP using this tool: decrim-email.netlify.app

- Sign up to our newsletter: decrimnow.org.uk/get-involved/

The briefing was co-signed by the following organisations @nat.org.uk @bhiva.bsky.social @positivelyuk.bsky.social @sophiaforum.bsky.social @positiveeast.bsky.social @nazprojectlondon.bsky.social @phoenixhealthm.bsky.social

We’ve written a briefing on sex work decriminalisation and ending HIV, which you can read on our website: decrimnow.org.uk/2025/12/03/b...

If the government wants to reach it’s target to reduce new HIV transmissions in England to zero by 2030, they must end the criminalisation of sex work.

Globally, any criminalisation of sex work is opposed by public health organisations, including the World Health Organisation, UNAIDS, Medecins du Monde, AIDS Action Europe, Global Commission on HIV and the Law, and European AIDS Treatment Group.

Research published in The Lancet estimated that full decriminalisation would reduce new HIV infections by up to 46% over a ten year period.

They named full decriminalisation of sex work as the single intervention that would have the greatest impact on limiting new HIV infections, and helping those who already live with HIV to access treatment and support.

UNAIDS’ Global AIDS Strategy calls for the removal of all punitive and discriminatory laws on sex work.

Criminalisation of sex work leads to greater barriers to accessing testing, treatment, care and support. If sex workers fear being reported to the police, they are far less likely to engage with healthcare and other support services, including HIV testing and access safer sex supplies like condoms.

Sex workers who are more vulnerable and experiencing higher levels of poverty are less able to insist on safer sex practices such as using condoms.

Police have used carrying condoms as evidence that someone is a sex worker, leading to fines and arrests.

Any criminalisation of sex work doubles sex workers’ likelihood of acquiring HIV.

Criminalisation of sex work leads to reduced condom notes.

If you cannot attend the event, but still want to take action to support sex workers you can:

📧 Sign up to our newsletter

📲 Contact us for advice on organising within your trade union to support sex workers, by filling out the form here: decrimnow.org.uk/workers4decrim/

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We need trade union members to take action with us, and support sex workers in accessing the same labour rights and protections as other workers.

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Some Labour MPs are pushing for further criminalisation of sex work. We know this will only increase poverty and violence against sex workers.

Sex workers need rights, not criminalisation.

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Under any form of criminalisation, sex workers are unable to access the same basic labour rights and protections afforded to all other workers.

This leaves us acutely vulnerable to exploitative labour practices, as we are unable to access the means to challenge them.

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If you can’t make it to the protest, you can still help by emailing your MSP using Scotland for Decrim’s template tool, to ask them to stand with sex workers and oppose Ash Regan’s bill. scotlandfordecrim.netlify.app

The Nordic model (client criminalisation) has led to more violence against sex workers in the countries, plus higher rates of poverty and poor health amongst sex workers - we can’t let this model be implemented in Scotland. We need everyone’s help to stop this bill.

There will be speakers including representatives from Scotland for Decrim, PCS Union, and our favourite Scottish Parliament ally @maggiechapman.bsky.social ❤️