- Media Releases

"Union pushes for sex worker visas" October 14, 2005, AAP

Most Asian sex workers trafficked into Australia want to go on working as prostitutes and should be given visas, says a sex industry union. A sex workers association forum in Melbourne was told Asian sex slavery in Australia was largely a myth.

Cheers and Jeers over brothel ban, Michelle Paine, Tasmanian Mercury, 7 Oct 2005

ANTI-Prostitution lobbyists were jubilant yesterday over Attorney-General Judy Jackson's backflip on sex worker regulations. Tasmania's brothels - of which there are between 15 and 50 - have been warned of $50,000 fines and five-year jail terms.

"NT volunteers help put sex workers first" National Australia Bank 19/09/05

Without a dedicated and passionate group of volunteers, the Scarlet Alliance would never have got its start in life – an important fact when you consider the significance of what they do, working to improve the wellbeing of sex workers throughout Australia. That makes their announcement as state winner in the Health and Wellbeing Category of the 2005 National Australia Bank Volunteer Awards all the more important.

"Volunteer Awards" Northern Territory News 21/09/05

Two Territory organisations have taken out categories in the 2005 National Australia Bank Volunteer Awards. YMCA of Katherine won the Education and Youth Development category and Scarlet Alliance won the Health and Wellbeing category. Both will receive $7000. The not-for-profit organisations were chosen from 1200 community groups nominated across seven diverse categories.

"Gong for Volunteers" Darwin Palmerston Sun 21/09/05

The Scarlet Alliance NT - working to improve the lives of sex workers - were named state winners in the National Australia Bank Volunteer Awards. Alliance secretary Alina Thomas said it was great the alliance was being acknowledged. The Scarlet Alliance represents sex workers at a policy level. (Dow Jones and Reuters)

"Sex and the city" by Erin O'Dwyer, 11/09/05, Sun Herald

What you see in celluloid is a far cry from the reality when it comes to sex workers. Erin O'Dwyer goes beyond the red light to explode the myths. THE BROTHEL owner sits cross-legged on the floor, wearing Buddhist prayer beads and quoting Shakespeare. "The perception is that we're unintelligent, that we're desperate, and that we're second-rate people who don't have much integrity," says Catherine, who opened The Site in Sydney's western suburbs four years ago. "But," she continues, "it's like Shakespeare said - nothing is good or bad but thinking makes it so."

Sex Work Laws Changing in Northern Territory

Melinda James from Stateline, ABC Darwin, reports on sex industry laws in the Northern Territory, and interviews Janelle Fawkes, Scarlet Alliance President, and Alina Thomas, SWOP NT spokesperson. Broadcast 3 December 2004. Sex workers are unhappy with current level of police intervention in licensing and registration of the sex industry.

Sex Workers Demonstrate AIDS protection

Australian sex worker, Janelle Fawkes, and her unidentified compatriot who dressed as a male client, show hot to put on woman protection gear to delegates at the 15th International AIDS Conference in Bangkok, Thailand Thursday, July 15, 2004. Fawkes demonstrated how to check clients for sexually transmitted diseases and negotiate safe sex. The conference is running until Friday. (AP)

Zi Teng; "Prostitution 'just another' job' May 3 2004

KELVIN CHAN, South China Morning Post The world's oldest profession should be decriminalised, speakers told Hong Kong's first international conference on sex workers' rights yesterday.

SCARLET ALLIANCE SLAMS WA HEALTH MINISTER OVER SEX WORK PROJECT June 2003

Scarlet Alliance the national forum for sex worker organisations & projects is outraged by the announcement of the withdrawal of funding for member organisation Phoenix by the Western Australian health minister Bob Kucera.

South Australian Magistrate Should Be Dismissed Say National Drug User and Sex Worker Organisations May 2003

Janelle Fawkes, President of Scarlet Alliance stated that “people who engage in street-based sex work are doing so to support themselves financially. It is clear the offensive comments directed at Tashara are a result of incorrect and ill-informed stereotypes.”

Scarlet Alliance slams the latest version of the Prostitution Control Bill 2003 - May 03

This Bill is an insult to the sex workers and community groups who put submissions into the Police Minister. “The cake is the same underneath. It’s only the icing that’s changed. If you look past the 100’s and 1000’s you’ll find mouldy spounge. Licensing has been tried in Queensland and in Victoria and both states are left with a foul taste in their mouths.” Janelle Fawkes, President, Scarlet Alliance

Sex Workers Protest Proposed New Laws 23 June 2002

Sex worker representatives fear prostitutes could be forced onto the streets if the proposed changes to WA sex industry laws come into effect. Scarlet Alliance and other sex worker representatives joined forces yesterday to speak to journalists of their concerns about the planned legislation. Sunday Times (WA) article

Sex Workers Gather To Denounce New Laws November 21 2002

Angry sex worker representatives from around Australia will join a protest in Perth tomorrow against planned changes to WA’s sex industry laws. Members of the national sex worker body, Scarlet Alliance, have denounced the proposed new sex industry laws as the “worst in Australia”. AAP article

Tricks of the Trade 29 August 2001

Workplace health and safety is one of the key components of the code of practice for licensed brothels in Queensland. It was compiled with input from the National Guide to Best Practice in the Sex Industry produced by Scarlet Alliance and Australian Federation of Aids Organisations. Courier Mail, Karen Milliner