Map: Traralgon Sex workers working as escorts in Victoria feel unsafe under the current 'no in-call' laws that make it illegal for escorts to bring a client to their own space. Whether that is a hotel room, booked residence or their own home, escorts can be charged with running a brothel. In Victoria, the person paying for the escort's company, usually a man, has to invite the sex worker to his space. Victoria is the only state where escorts can not work out of their place of choice β other than South Australia where sex work is criminalised.
Sex workers who work as escorts and travel to areas where there are no brothels have only one option β going into an unknown space. She came to Australia from China and sends money back to her family.
Her family in China does not know what she does for work here and she said they would disown her if they did. Coco said she originally tried to find other work but found it hard because she had very little English language skills.
Coco said the no in-call laws were tied to the stigma that still surrounded sex work, and she wished the stigma would change. Linda works throughout Victoria as an escort and said it was time the community was more open-minded.
How can independent escorts operate in each state and territory? Victoria: Cannot work from a place of choice. Escorts can go to a client's space only. Up to two escorts can work together New South Wales: Can work from a place of choice, can work with others Queensland: Can work from a place of choice, can only work alone South Australia: Sex work is criminalised. A bill to decriminalise sex work is currently in Parliament Western Australia: Can work from a place of choice, can only work alone Tasmania: Up to two sex workers can work from their own place of choice Australian Capital Territory: Can work from a place of choice, can only work alone Northern Territory: Can work from a hotel, not a place of residence.
