A RECENT review of Tasmania's sex industry legislation has been a cause for both hope and concern for three Hobart sex workers.

Cindy, Emma and Lucy said there were several positive recommendations made in the Justice Department's review of the Sex Industry Offences Act 2005, but that they had concerns about some views put forward by anti-sex industry advocates.

The Australian Christian Lobby's submission to the review stated that "prostitution is inherently exploitative", a view the three women disagree with.

"I think a lot of sex workers find that attitude really offensive," Cindy said.

"I started working about 10 years ago and I did that because I was curious about the industry ... I found that I really enjoyed it.

"It's actually a really privileged position; people give you a lot of trust and a lot of affection.

"I often at the end of a day at work (feel) I’ve made people feel good about themselves, I’ve alleviated some loneliness or some stress”

Emma agreed.

"It's probably difficult for a lot of people to understand how girls can work and be happy doing it," she said.

"The Christian lobby represents workers as abused and they don't have a choice ... I don't feel abused at all; I have lots of lovely men come to see me.

Lucy said as a churchgoer she was offended by the view held by some that being a sex worker means the "line to God is cut off”.

“I grew up in a family of faith,” she said

She also feels many opponents of the industry view sex workers as sex workers first and foremost.

But as a mother, home-owner and university graduate, Lucy says there is more to her life than just her work.

“When I finish my day at work I am many other things other than a sex worker, “she said

The women also feel strongly about workplace health and safety issues.

“It’s an industry, it’s a place where people go to work and so legislation needs to be around industrial issues, occupational health and safety issues and the experts on that are sex workers, “ Cindy said.

“One recommendation (from the review) that we were really excited about is that they were considering funding a proper peer education program here.”

Emma said brothels should be legalised in Tasmania and run the same as any other small business.

She said brothels should be safe, clean and run by people who care about the workers.

“It’s the same complexities in any business, “ she said.

The women said that they were urging the Government to show “strong leadership” and consult with sex workers when” when considering the recommendations of the review.

“The sex industry in not going to go away,” Emma said.

“There is a need for brothels…they just need to find a model that works.”