Is commercialised sex a crime? Or should only those who sell their services be free of criminal prosecution while those who patronise them or who benefit in any way financially, remain guilty of a crime? Alternatively, should commercial sex be regarded as work, be decriminalised, and be subject to broadly the same labour legislation as any other legitimate means of earning a living.?
These questions were brought to the fore in South Africa over recent weeks following the call by the international human rights group, Amnesty International, to decriminalise “sex work”. Cureently, in South Africa, all aspects of commercial sex are regarded as criminal.
Below, in four segments, is a video discussion featuring Jeremy Routledge of Embrace Dignity (who support partial decriminalisation) and Sally Shackleton of the Sex Workers Education and Advocacy Taskforce (full decriminalisation):
Cape Town, South Africa-based journalist commentator and author specialising in political and economic analysis and labour matters. 
Terry Bell Writes 
Phaks
September 4, 2015
Who should work 4 who; if it is decriminalised;? The whole industry is built through exploitation nd abuse of of women, bt is no surprise because that’s hw capitalism thrives
Terry Bell
September 4, 2015
Actually, the industry has both female and male practitioners, on both a hetero and homo sexual basis. I agree that it is probably an example of the particular economic and social system in which we live, but therefore, it is not surely necesary to see it as yet another aspect of work?
Dave
September 4, 2015
I’m totally for decriminalization, it would facilitate health services and protection for the workers, like most any other industry. Criminalizing sex work simply disempowers and leaves vulnerable to abuse those in that industry.
Terry Bell
September 5, 2015
Thanks Dave. You have summed up succintly the argument for decriminalisation.