Project Respect is a non-profit, feminist, community-based organisation, that aims to empower and support women in the sex industry, including women trafficked to Australia. 

Established in 1998, we began as a direct service conducting outreach and offering support to women in the sex industry across Victoria. We have no religious affiliation, and work with all women in an inclusive manner, maintaining impartiality at all times.

The Project Respect team is made up of a diverse range of people committed to supporting women in the sex industry, including women who have been, or still are involved in the sex industry holding positions throughout the organisation; from the Committee of Management, to staff, right through to volunteers. This enables Project Respect to have extensive and current insight into the Australian sex industry. 

Mission Statement

Our mission is to support women in the sex industry of Australia and to help prevent the exploitation and enslavement of women, by the industry.

We aim to see this fulfilled through:

• Empowerment: of women who are or have been in the sex industry to rebuild their lives outside the industry and to educate about the impacts of prostitution;
• Education: of the community, led by women from the industry, to bring a greater awareness of the impacts of prostitution and trafficking, and to assist women to address these;
• Advocacy: promoting government, community and individual policies and practices which reduce the conditions that cause the sex industry to thrive and which promote feminist responses to prostitution and trafficking;
• Activism: based on the expertise of women in the sex industry, which tackles discrimination and structural inequalities which support prostitution and trafficking.

Our Vision

A world where there is no longer demand for prostitution and trafficking in persons

Project Respect works towards:

• Adequate support given to women in the sex industry, including trafficked women, such as access to shelter, health care, legal support, compensation, and alternative employment pathways
• Eradication of the abuse and inequalities, including between men and women, different cultures and different classes, which underpin and are strengthened by the sex industry
• Individuals, organisations and communities informed and mobilised to support women in the sex industry

Read about our history