About SWEAR WA - our history:

Western Australia’s sex work laws are complex and confusing, with legislation split between 3 different bills, creating complex, confusing and potentially criminal ‘grey areas’ for sex workers. The potential introduction of draconian new laws under the Prostitution Bill in both 2011 and 2013 set to put WA sex workers in more restrictive, stigmatising and dangerous circumstances, with zero consultation with those it affects: the sex workers themselves.

A small group of sex workers united in opposing the Bill, and arising from the need to give WA sex workers a voice, formed ‘People for Sex Worker Rights WA’ in early 2013, and we have since re-branded in 2017 to ‘SWEAR WA’ - which stands for Sex Work: Education, Advocacy & Rights (Western Australia).

What SWEAR WA does:

- Provide peer support and peer-to-peer education to WA sex workers of all diversities

- Provide referrals for sex worker friendly services, including a free, anonymous sexual health clinic, referrals to legal and financial advice services, and more

- Provide education to the community, educational institutions, and the organisational sector, with the aim of reducing stigma surrounding sex work

- Host regular peer-only social events, as well as operating peer-only online safe spaces, to allow sex workers to socialise, network and unwind in a safe, friendly environment

- Lobbying for legislative change and decriminalisation in WA by contributing to government and community consultation on sex work and related issues wherever possible

- Ensure sex workers voices are represented in decisions made on sex worker issues, and challenging media stereotypes of sex work, via government consultation, and effective media response strategies

How can I help?

SWEAR WA is unfunded and is solely run by sex workers who volunteer their time. We are always looking for peers and allies to help us achieve our aims.

So if you are a current or former WA sex worker with a passion for sex worker rights and a few hours per month to spare, or you are a stakeholder or business interested in collaborating or sponsoring SWEAR WA, please email swear.wa@gmail.com or fill in our ‘Contact Us’ form here.