On 2 June 1975, around 100 sex workers occupied the Saint-Nizier Church in Lyon to protest against their displacement and the threat to their safety – the beginning of the whore movement. Even today, sex workers still face massive stigmatisation, which results in structural discrimination and restrictions in their everyday lives.
Currently, abolitionist movements are gaining strength, often supported by fundamentalist Christian and/or transphobic feminist groups. They demand a ban on sex work and the criminalisation of clients.
This is happening in the context of anti-immigration and racist politics, where sex work is often equated with human trafficking or portrayed as involuntary – while differentiated, realistic perspectives are lacking.
Sex workers are often seen as victims who need to be rescued, and/or their life choices are considered deviant. This denies them the ability to act and make decisions, even though the right to sexual self-determination is central to a free society.
Biological notions of gender and racist and sexist prejudices also persist in institutional and social structures, leading to systematic inequality. Strict legal regulations and stigmatising practices, such as mandatory examinations, further contribute to the marginalisation of sex workers.
The consequences are serious: sex workers, especially migrants and refugees, experience severe discrimination, social exclusion, legal uncertainty, economic disadvantage and health risks.
This derogatory attitude is reinforced and perpetuated by media coverage, which continues to portray sex workers in a stigmatising and biased manner, thereby promoting misrepresentation and discrimination.
On the 50th anniversary of the whore movement, Austrian specialist counselling centres and self-organisations are calling for the social recognition of sex work as gainful employment and the rejection of moral judgements.
Nine recommendations for fair reporting on sex work (or for fair treatment of sex work)
- Do not moralise sex work
- Sex work is a self-determined, physical service. Sex workers make their own decisions about it – this must be respected.
- Adequate terminology: sex work ≠ human trafficking
- Self-determined sex work must not be confused with human trafficking or sexual exploitation, even if it takes place outside official regulations. The term ‘forced prostitution’ confuses violence with legal activity and is therefore inappropriate. Sex workers are not criminals and should not be treated as such.
- Show diversity
- Sex work is diverse – people of all genders, sexual orientations and backgrounds are involved, either full-time or part-time. This should also be reflected in media reports.
- Respect self-determination
- Life choices are individual and context-dependent. Sex work can also be a conscious and legitimate choice. Pity or condescension are out of place.
- Do not portray sex workers as victims
- Sex work is legal but often overregulated. Instead of ‘rescue,’ sex workers demand fair working conditions, legal security and an end to stigmatising and discriminatory practices.
- Protect anonymity
- Photos and personal data may only be published with consent. Being outed can threaten a person’s livelihood.
- Involve those affected
- Sex workers have expertise. Their participation in all processes that affect their lives must be guaranteed without others speaking for them. Their perspectives and voices should be included in well-informed reports.
- Careful image selection
- Show sex workers as actors, not objects. Sensational images are harmful and distort reality.
- Recognise sex work as work
- Sex work is regulated differently in each federal state in Austria, but it is legal. Recognising sex work as work and decriminalising it opens up opportunities for marginalised people in particular to work more independently, gain access to fundamental rights, organise themselves and represent their interests.
All social actors – especially the media – have a responsibility not to reproduce and reinforce discriminatory representations.
The Allianz PROSEXWORK, together with representatives of sex workers and specialist counselling centres, has published a fact sheet for journalists as part of the ‘Sexual Services’ working group. This provides clear dos and don’ts for objective and respectful reporting on the subject.
Click here for more information on the fact sheet: Sensitive reporting on sex work
Events surrounding the 50th anniversary of the sex workers’ movement:
Innsbruck: On 2 June, the 50th World Sex Workers’ Day, iBUS will paint a mural and run an information stand to strengthen solidarity with sex workers and women in general.
Where: PEMA building/Adlers Hotel, near the underpass to Sillpark, 2 June from 10:00 to 17:00
Salzburg: 2 June 2025: 50 years of the whore movement: dialogue & song recital @academy café-bar, Franz-Josef-Straße 4, 5020
1800 Discussion with Christine Nagl and Sabrina Stranzl: What we are fighting for.
19:30 Elisabeth de Roo sings an Vyara Shuperlieva plays the piano
3 June 2025@ Empress Elisabeth Monument, 18:00, City walk: In the footsteps of commercial lust
Linz: 2 June Street work: Discussion groups with sex workers on the decriminalisation of sex work
Vienna: 2 June 2025: Film ‘Sexarbeit und Beziehung’ (Sex Work and Relationships) followed by a discussion with Red Edition and LEFÖ organised by AG Feministischer Streik Wien@Kollektiv Kaorle, Ottakringer Straße 201, 1160 Vienna
Photo: Helena Manhartsberger