Decrim now world news digest for December 2025

French Far-Right Politicians Want To Reopen Brothels as Sex-Worker Cooperatives

France, Paris

December 12, 2025

The current system, in which paying for sex is illegal, doesn’t work, said Jean-Philippe Tanguy, a National Assembly member.

France’s far-right political party, known as National Rally, is preparing to introduce legislation to bring back legal brothels, according to French newspaper Le Monde. Under a bill being prepared by French National Assembly member Jean-Philippe Tanguy, these brothels would operate as sex-worker-run cooperatives.

Marine Le Pen, the former National Rally president and current National Assembly member who has run for president three times, also supports the brothel initiative, Tanguy said.

Tanguy told Le Monde that he got interested in the issue after working with a group that helps sex workers and meeting women who were leading very tough lives and women who were very proud of their work. He said he’s come to believe that the current legal framework, in which paying for sex is illegal, does not actually make life better or safer for sex workers, since it drives the industry underground—where violence still takes place, but people ignore it. He called the system "the height of bourgeois hypocrisy."

It was only in 2016 that France made paying for sex acts a crime. But the country officially ended its legal brothel system back in 1946. (Prostitution still remained technically legal, but many activities related to it were criminalized.)

Interestingly, the woman who advocated for the brothel closures—Marthe Richard, a former spy and sex worker whom the law was named after—later seemed to regret it, saying that prostitution couldn’t be eradicated and brothels were a "lesser evil," according to the French radio and TV network BFM.

A move to decriminalize clients and allow sex workers to work together would be a step in the right direction for sex worker rights and safety. But any plan that allows this exclusively in brothels would still perpetuate many of the harms of criminalization.

"Brothels yes very well, but it must be an OPTION, not an obligation," suggested French commentator Edouard Hesse on X, urging Tanguy to listen to sex workers. "We need to decriminalize this activity, protect rights, fight against coercion."

Forging an alliance between the far-right party and sex worker rights advocates could prove difficult, no matter the particulars. Parisian sex worker Mylène Juste, a spokesperson for the group STRASS, told Le Monde there was no way they were going to ally with the National Rally, a nationalist and populist party that wants to drastically reduce French immigration.

But National Rally politicians aren’t the only ones who want to revise France’s prostitution laws. Philippe Juvin, a Republican member of the National Assembly who last year introduced a bill aimed at securing sex worker rights, said this is also an issue he intends to revisit.

Juvin complained to Le Monde about the current situation, in which both social stigma and the law prohibit sex workers from working safely and normally. He cited Belgium—where sex work was decriminalized in 2022 and further moved to secure sex worker rights and autonomy last year—as a good model to follow.

Source portal reason.com

Miami-Dade activists march to end violence against sex workers

USA, Miami

December 15, 2025

A sex worker-led organization is calling on Florida lawmakers to decriminalize sex work, arguing that criminal penalties increase violence and limit access to basic protections.

Community supporters joined members of Decrim 305 during Saturday’s sixth annual Slut Walk Miami, an awareness demonstration aimed at drawing attention to violence against sex workers.

The march was held in advance of the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, which will be observed on Wednesday, Dec. 17.

Chants of "Slut Lives Matter" echoed during the demonstration — a phrase organizers say is intentionally provocative to confront stigma surrounding sex work.

Decrim 305 is calling on the state of Florida to eliminate criminal penalties tied to sex work. 

"What [decriminalization] means is it’s not a crime to be a sex worker," said Miss Mei, the co-founder and executive director of Decrim 305, and a sex worker with 14 years of experience. "What it doesn’t mean is that trafficking is legal. Trafficking is not going to run rampant under decriminalization."

Miss Mei said criminalizing sex work pushes people into more dangerous situations and makes it harder for sex workers to access healthcare, seek legal protection or report abuse without fear of arrest.

Source portal wlrn.org

Supporting national efforts to end violence against sex workers

United Kingdom, London

December 17, 2025

The International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers (IDEVASW), observed annually on 17 December, is a moment to recognise the realities many sex workers face and to amplify the importance of safety, dignity, and access to justice.

At Crimestoppers, we believe everyone has the right to live safely, wherever they live or work. Our charity stands firmly against all forms of violence and exploitation. Speaking up about crime can save lives, and we are committed to ensuring that people - no matter their circumstances - have a safe, anonymous route to share what they know.

Standing together for safety

Violence against sex workers too often goes unreported due to stigma, discrimination, and fear of repercussions. IDEVASW is a reminder that safeguarding must include every community.

Crimestoppers works closely with organisations that share a commitment to protecting those at risk. One such partner is Vivastreet, who continue to prioritise safety across their platform and wider community. Our charity partnered with Vivastreet in April 2023, establishing a safe and anonymous reporting route for web visitors to pass on their concerns.

Vivastreet has developed a dedicated Sex Worker Safety Hub, offering practical guidance, wellbeing support, and direct links to specialist organisations. This resource empowers individuals with tools to stay safer and feel supported, whether they work online or in person.

A safer future for everyone

IDEVASW is not just a date - it’s a call to action. By raising awareness, supporting trusted partners, and ensuring anonymous reporting routes remain accessible, we can help reduce harm and stand beside those who need it most.

Crimestoppers will continue to work with organisations like Vivastreet to promote safety, prevent crime, and give a voice to those who cannot speak out.

“Prioritising the safety of sex workers is vital and Vivastreet is committed to creating a safer environment for all. Due to the stigma and discrimination that still exists, we’re proud to have partnered with Crimestoppers to enable users to report their concerns completely anonymously.”
Will Bandy, Head of Safety & Compliance at Vivastreet

“We know that many people are unwilling to speak up about criminality directly to the police, including those who use Vivastreet, Thanks to the platform’s partnership with our charity, we continue to empower users and workers to have greater peace of mind.”
Lydia Patsalides, Crimestoppers lead for violence against women and girls

Source portal crimestoppers-uk.org

Protest outside Dáil calls for decriminalisation of sex work

Ireland, Dublin

December 17, 2025

A demonstration was held outside the Dáil tonight to mark International Day to End Violence against Sex Workers, and appeal for the decriminalisation of sex work.

The event was backed by Amnesty International and the People Before Profit/Solidarity TD, Ruth Coppinger.

Speakers asserted that laws currently in place, which claim to protect sex workers and keep them safe, actually result in a heightened risk of harassment and violence.

Organisations, like the Red Umbrella Collective, suggested that what was actually required was the decriminalisation of sex work.

Deputy Coppinger said she plans to introduce legislation to that effect into the Dáil next year, and she appealed for cross party support.

"If you are involved in sex work, because many aspects of it are illegal, it does make it more dangerous," she said.

The Solidarity TD contended that attempts to legislate on this issue, by criminalising the purchase of sex, "hasn’t worked."

She asked: "Criminalising somebody who is working in sex work, mainly for economic reasons is what most people have cited here this evening, what’s the benefit of that?"

Deputy Coppinger also argued that the reality of the existing law was that sex workers "have to hide even more to protect your client, to protect your income."

She said decriminalisation would mean that sex workers would "not have to hide" or take more measures to protect themselves and not have to remain "under the radar" from both the Gardai and the judicial system.

Source portal rte.ie

New York enacts law to protect trafficking survivors and sex workers from prosecution

USA, New York

December 24, 2025

New York State has enacted new protections aimed at helping survivors of human trafficking and sex workers report crimes without fear of arrest or prosecution.

Decriminalize Sex Work (DSW) applauded the signing of legislation A1029-B/S3967-B by Governor Hochul, calling it a landmark step toward improving public safety and survivor protections. The bill passed unanimously in both the New York State Assembly and Senate with bipartisan support.

The new law provides conditional immunity from prosecution for prostitution-related offenses when a person is a victim of or witness to a crime and seeks help, including medical care, or otherwise acts in good faith. Supporters say the change removes a major barrier that has historically prevented survivors and sex workers from reporting violence, exploitation, or other crimes.

The DSW release says the legislation is modeled in part after New York’s Good Samaritan law, which protects individuals from prosecution when they seek emergency help during an overdose. Lawmakers and supporters say both laws are designed to prioritize safety and encourage people to come forward in emergency situations.

DSW Legal Director Melissa Broudo said,

This law recognizes that safety must be prioritized over punishment. The immunity bill removes fear of arrest for survivors, creating safe pathways to seek help and access support. It is a vital and common-sense public safety measure that strengthens law enforcement’s ability to identify, investigate, and convict perpetrators of violence and trafficking.

Supporters also say the new protections could help prevent cases from going unreported, citing investigations where fear of criminalization may have discouraged witnesses from sharing critical information. Advocacy groups argue that safe reporting laws ultimately benefit communities by improving cooperation with law enforcement and increasing accountability for violent offenders.

With the law now in effect, New York joins eleven other states that have enacted similar immunity protections. DSW says it plans to continue advocating for survivor-informed policies, harm-reduction approaches, and the decriminalization of consensual adult sex work nationwide.

Source portal cbs6albany.com