Laws affect sex workers

 By LEAH OMAE

LAWS for sex workers need to be defined clearly to avoid issues cropping up in their work,” an executive from the Friends Frangipani sex workers’ organisation says.

Ian Ako says sex work is criminalised in PNG and the law under section 55 of the Summary Offences Act of 1977 states that a person who knowingly lives completely on the income of prostitution is guilty of an offence. This law has been used to arrest sex workers.

 “In section 56 and 57 of the Summary Offences Act and the section 231 of the Criminal Code Act of 1974 covers criminal offences against people who own or manage places where sex activities happen,” he said.

Ako presented some issues on behalf of the organisation on how laws had affected their lives as sex workers and people living with HIV, including their ability to get treatment and care.

He said information on stigma and discrimination, problems faced with police and lack of support to health service were put together through consultation with sex workers two years ago. 

He made this known to UNAIDS donors and development partners who met with the National AIDS Council and key population living with HIV virus in Port Moresby yesterday.