Source: QNP

A NATIONAL sex worker organisation fears the already high level of violence against prostitutes in Queensland will increase if the State Government does not soon reform prostitution laws. Scarlet Alliance convenor Sue Metzenrath said yesterday that prostitutes in Queensland were already subjected to the highest level of violence in the country. An issues paper on sex law reforms and a safety package designed to provide safeguards for sex workers were expected to be discussed at Tuesday's state cabinet meeting. They were not and Premier Rob Borbidge said they had not been on the agenda. He said the Government had other more important issues to handle. This is in spite of the murder of a Brisbane prostitute in February and two other reported violent attacks in recent months. Ms Metzenrath said that since Queensland changed its prostitution laws in 1992 there had been a dramatic increase in the violence faced by sex workers. Queensland prostitutes can only work as sole operators and are not able to hire security guards, drivers or receptionists. Ms Metzenrath said prostitutes should have the same entitlements as any other legal business operators.