Tackling sex stigma in NSW

OPINION

By Mary Anne Ghobrial

31/05/2014

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It’s a part of town many know but very few mention. Where beneath the layers of designer

clothing and flirty smiles, women dress in provocative outfits and lead men into rooms designed

exclusively for pleasure.

 

But at a time when sex is becoming a more transparent feature in society – from advertised

condoms to models in scantily clad outfits – it’s surprising to find the sex industry is still

stigmatised as taboo.

 

I met Madison Ashton several weeks ago in her private residence. Charismatic and amicable,

the CMQ escort was nothing like the papers made her out to be – a woman hell-bent on taking

her former lover’s money and one on the verge of bankruptcy. Because of this, I garnered an

unwavering curiosity about her life.

 

She spoke of her career, former brothel, as well as the social stigma associated with what she does. All the while she answered my questions with a slight smile, a smile I now wonder whether genuine or simply feigned indifference.

 

Because surely one cannot be so easily accepting of the stigma associated with what they do. A director of the Sex Workers Outreach Program (SWOP) even seemed insulted when I first informed her that I wished to conduct a story removing the negative characterisation of those associated with sex work.

 

Her response was a chuckle, then a sarcastic comment saying she’d been trying to do so for years, so what hope did I have? At first I was annoyed but I now understand the validity of her statement. In a world where the past defines the present and the past most astutely defined sex to be wrong, of course it would be difficult to remove these stereotypes.

 

And yet, if one were to actually research and observe today’s sex workers, they might find a type of glamour associated with the industry. Some rooms are luxuriant, the outfits sensual. Of course, that isn’t to say every worker enjoys their job – but nor does every accountant or retailer.

 

It is important to recognise that the sex industry is just like any other institution in Australia. In 1995 NSW legalised prostitution. 19 years later, and over 250 recorded brothels stand in NSW alone.

 

And yet, despite this, there are still media commenters who differentiate between legal and illegal sex work. Media publications will headline stories on the industry by using the term ‘legal brothels’. This, however, is odd considering all NSW brothels are legal. One does not use the term ‘legal bakery’ when publishing a story, nor does one call vintage dress shops as ‘legal retailers’.

 

So why this distinction between legality when it comes to sex?

 

Chris Seage, the head of the government consulting body Brothel Busters, says it’s because they are making the distinction between brothels that are approved and not approved by the government. But is it more than that? Perhaps it’s because media personalities believe the wider public is unaware that prostitution is legal in NSW. Or maybe it’s because society continues to find it a novelty that paid sex is an accepted trait in Australia?

 

Whatever the case, Ashton appears indifferent to these people. She says, “I stereotype you, just as you stereotype me. I mean, when I look at you I see a shark, a shark with a sweet face, but still a shark”.

 

The irony, however, is that when I see her I don’t see the stereotypical image of a sex worker. Instead, I see someone with confidence in their sexuality and an unwaveringly dismissive outlook on anyone who tells them to be anything than what they are.

 

That, I find, is the true distinction between sex work and present society, something I’d rather not put a label on.