An important part of Project Respect’s work involves working with the community to raise awareness and understanding about the issues facing women in the sex industry. Project Respect offers specialised training to community organisations, such as health centres, legal centres and women’s services, as well as government agencies including the police and immigration. The training is aimed at educating community groups in the following areas:

• Trafficking of Women and Girls for prostitution – issues and responses
• Working with women in the sex industry

These training workshops are one day in duration and based on over 13 years of working with women in the sex industry. Project Respect staff are also actively involved in speaking at community groups as well as Schools and Universities across Victoria to raise awareness of this issue. For more information on the above workshops or if you would like Project Respect staff to speak at your event please contact info@projectrespect.org.au

Advocacy

Complementing our direct outreach services is our key role in lobbying the Australian government. We are committed to global solutions to the problem of violence against women in the sex industry, and work closely with regional and international organisations addressing sexual exploitation. We applaud the Federal and Victorian Government’s continued commitment to combating trafficking but there is still more to be done to improve the lives of trafficked women and other women in the sex industry. Our advocacy work includes lobbying for:

• Exit programs for women in the sex industry
• Adoption of the Swedish legal model of prostitution laws
• Visas and comprehensive support for all victims of trafficking
• Better access to compensation for victims of trafficking
• Adoption of court procedures which make testifying easier for victims of trafficking, such as those available to victims of sexual assault
• Local government laws requiring brothels to display signs stating that sex slavery is a crime in Australia and letting people know where to get help
• Better services for women in the sex industry

You can help support Project Respect’s work by writing to your local MP. To find out more, visit our Take Action! page.

Project Respect's Submissions 

As part of our advocacy, education and community building, Project Respect makes submissions to government inquiries on an ad hoc basis to improve responses to trafficking and prostitution.

Victorian Government Response to Inquiry into People Trafficking for Sex Work, 2011

The Drugs and Crime Prevention Committee's final report into the Inquiry into People Trafficking for Sex Work was published in June 2010, and made 27 recommendations for Victorian Government Action. In December 2011, the Victorian Government released its response to this paper.

Project Respect believes that many of the recommendations need further consideration and action to effectively address trafficking into the Victorian Sex Industry. Please read Project Respect's further recommendations to the Inquiry. 

The Criminal Justice Response to Slavery and People Trafficking, Repatriation, and Vulnerable Witness Protections, 2011

The Minister for Justice, the Hon Brendan O'Connor MP, invited public comment on available criminal sanctions for slavery and people trafficking offences. Comment was also invited on matters with relevance for people trafficking prosecutions including protection available for vulnerable witnesses, the use of victim impact statements, and the availability of reparation orders in criminal proceedings. Submission closed in February. Please read Project Respect's submission. 

Reforms to Australia's Counter-Trafficking Response, 2009 

Project Respect's detailed recommendations to provide a more humanitarian response to trafficking in Australia. 

Draft Exposure Bill, Criminal Code Amendment (Trafficking in Persons), 2004

In October, the Federal Attorney-General's department asked for comments on a draft amendment to the criminal code regarding trafficking in women for sexual servitude. The amendment is commendable as it is a step towards Australia ratifying the United Nations Protocol on Trafficking. Please read Project Respect's submission.

Parliamentary Joint Committee to examine Australian Crime Commission's response to trafficking in women for sexual servitude. September 2003

The inquiry was held in response to large media coverage of trafficking in women for prostitution, in particular allegations that government agencies were mishandling the cases of trafficked women. A significant issue examined was the deportation of women who were found to be victims of trafficking, in response to their breaches of migration law. The Committee's finding made a number of important recommendations, including that victim impact statements be used in trials for traffickers, that Australia ratify the UN Protocol on Trafficking, and that the visa system for trafficked women be revisited. Please read Project Respect's submission.