The legislation set aside 4,8 million Euros to offer ‘help’ for those who want to leave sex work. Foreign sex workers will be granted a temporary 6 month residence permit if they exit sex work and find another job. Sex workers claim those measures are not aimed to help them: “although prostitution is seen as a form of violence against women, only repenting victims deserve support.
Image above: Demonstration in Toulouse 8th of March 2014. Marie (leftt) with Sonia (right), nurse at Griselidis. Image provided by Marie.
NSWP: Hello Marie and thank you for taking the time to do this interview! Can you start by telling us how you got involved with the sex workers’ rights movement?
The demonstration was organized by the Sex Workers’ Union (STRASS) and the association of Chinese prostitutes “Steel Roses”. The protesters voiced their opposition to the bill that will be discussed on June 12 in the second reading at the Assembly, and should confirm the principle to punish those who use sex services of a sex worker.