This morning 1st April, 2020, Victorian DHHS (Department of Health and Human Services) have issued a clarification that “sole practitioner sex workers” (as referred to by Consumer Affairs Victoria as “exempt sex work service providers”), also known as escorts or private workers are now prohibited from operating for the duration of the “Restricted Activities Directions”. This is a clarification provided this morning to the Stage 3 Directions issued on 30/03/2020. This notice has been sent to police and justice departments and effectively means that private sex workers will be penalised if they are caught working.

As we have seen play out in other states, it will mean that private sex workers will likely be targeted through their advertising and fined. Under these Stage 3 restrictions, penalties for failure to comply with the directions can be up to 120 penalty units or $19,826.40 for an individual. Please note that updated directions are being issued by the government regularly. We will provide notice of changes as we receive them.

We have been in contact with the Sex Industry Coordination Unit (SICU) and will continue to remain in contact and will provide updates to community as they arise. Vixen Collective, Scarlet Alliance, and SICU agree on the need for clear communication at this time, clarity on proposed police actions in regard to sex workers, and the need for a retained focus on the ability of sex workers to report to police as victims and/or witnesses to crime. While SICU are the key police unit tasked with matters relating to the sex industry, they are not the only police who will be enforcing these directives in relation to COVID-19.

As Victoria has been declared a state of emergency as at 16 March 2020, a number of different government agencies have been empowered to enforce restrictions and directives in relation to COVID-19. Please be aware that there have also been additional police officers assigned to enforcing COVID-19 measures in Victoria.

Vixen and Scarlet Alliance are continuing to advocate for crisis funding for sex workers. If you are a sex worker who needs urgent financial assistance please complete self assessment tool linked below.

Emergency Support Fund for Sex Workers in Australia https://chuffed.org/project/emergency-support-sex-workers-Australia

If you are able to donate to the emergency fund please do so!

If you are a sex worker with a query about the emergency funding please contact Scarlet Alliance on info@scarletalliance.org.au If you are a sex worker who requires peer support or further information about this directive please contact Vixen Collective on vixencollectivemelbourne@gmail.com