The notion of human dignity is frequently, yet enigmatically, invoked in legal and political debates on sex work, where many people use it without much elaboration on exactly what they mean by it. Sex Work and Human Dignity: Law, Politics and Discourse sheds light on this enigma, by exploring how dignity-based discourses are used by those who write and talk about prostitution and also what role these discourses may play in shaping wider cultural understandings of sex work and sex workers. The book draws on political discourse theory and is international in its scope, with analysis of legal cases, textual sources, and empirical data gathered through interviews with activists from several different countries in the Global North and South. The book traces how the concept of dignity is used in a range of legal and political discourses on sex work and ultimately asks to what extent dignity-based discourses help to advance, or hinder, sex workers’ social inclusion. This book will appeal to students and researchers interested in sex work and feminism, as well as those who study human dignity. Its interdisciplinary nature means it will appeal to those working in a range of disciplines, including law, sociology, philosophy, and political theory.

Changes in the regulation of sex work have been observed over the last two decades. The trend towards the partial criminalization of sex work, targeting clients, has gained significant support at the European level under the arguments of gender violence and human trafficking. However, this regulatory approach has not adequately addressed the negative consequences for sex workers themselves. In order to determine whether the European Convention on Human Rights provides protection for sex workers in this context, this paper examines the contrasting feminist perspectives influencing the debate, the legal framework at the national, regional, and international levels, and case law. The case pending in Strasbourg, “M.A. and Others v. France” is analysed in the light of the potential protection of the right to life, the prohibition of degrading treatment, and the right to respect for private life.

This book examines the history, theological beliefs and current contextual practices of faith-based NGOs who work in the area of human trafficking that involves the sex industry. There are hundreds of religious organizations around the globe who minister with human trafficking survivors and sex workers, but what is really happening on the ground and how do theological beliefs support a faith-based response? Many of these groups represent their work as a cosmic battle against evil forces, yet important structural critiques are ignored in the urgency to rescue women and children. Using perspectives from both NGO staff and sex workers, an interdisciplinary panel of contributors examine specific organizations, highlight marginalized voices, and analyze undergirding methodologies. In doing so, the authors provide clear critiques and establish best practice guidelines for faith-based NGOs and future religious leaders, affirming an intersection of justice based upon critical reflection and careful action. This book addresses with nuance an important topic that is often over-simplified. It will, therefore, be of great interest to scholars studying the interaction of religion to sex work and human trafficking, as well as academics of religious studies and theology more generally.

Post-apartheid South Africa has yielded enlightened judicial decisions in contrast to the limited interpretation of human rights in Ireland. The value of human dignity with its central position in international law underpins both countries’ Constitutions, but has left a more striking mark in South Africa. There it has impacted significantly on punishment for crimes, family life, children’s rights, defamation, sexual violence investigations, substantive equality and socio-economic rights. Practical guidance can be gleaned from South Africa to revitalise Irish jurisprudence. While its focus is on South Africa and Ireland, this book draws on the experience of many countries and regions.

In Reenvisioning Sexual Ethics, Karen Peterson-Iyer's profound feminist Christian reframing of sexuality examines contemporary social practices and ethical sex, facilitating meaningful discussion about sexual agency and flourishing.

This edited collection showcases innovative, up and coming researchers’ work in the field of sex work studies across labour/work and relationships. This research is pushing the boundaries of the subject, asking new questions, carving new methodological terrain, and contributing new ideas and empirical findings to the existing literature. Drawing on sociology, criminology, media studies, social and health policy, law and socio-legal studies, the chapters reflect a range of new topics in the sex work studies literature such as religious readings, porn workers and their interactions with fans; romantic relationships, and humour at work. Studies are drawn from Europe, South America, Turkey, Ireland, New Zealand and the USA. This book speaks to academics across the social sciences and humanities who are interested in sex work studies.

Sex and sexuality are an integral part of human life and vital for the survival of the human race, but sexual freedoms in many countries have yet to be enshrined as constitutional rights. Focusing primarily on Japan, Shigenori Matsui explores the extent to which governments should be allowed to restrict or influence sexual autonomy. Should a constitution encompass rights including: to decide or change sexual or gender identity; to have children, through natural birth or through medically assisted reproduction; or to not have children, through access to abortion? This rigorously detailed legal analysis has implications for government policy in all countries facing similar issues.

This study argues that the decriminalization of sex work in China can contribute to HIV prevention and human rights protection. The argument is supported by six key concepts: the universality of human rights, rights-based approaches to HIV, sex work as work, risk environment for HIV transmission, decriminalization of sex work as a preferred model for HIV prevention, and rights-based responses to HIV and sex work. Three research methods are used, including research methods from law, social science, and public health. Recommendations are provided to reform Chinese law and HIV policy.

This book makes a significant contribution to the ongoing global conversations on the various understandings of equality. It illuminates the many ways in which diverse equality guarantees clash, or are interrelated. It also sets out principled approaches on how they can be coherently interpreted to address the myriad inequalities in Kenya. Taking a comparative approach, the book considers how other jurisdictions including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, South Africa, India and Botswana have approached the conceptualisation, interpretation and application of various equality concepts. The book focuses on important issues such as: - transformative constitutionalism in relation to the interpretation of Kenya's 2010 Constitution; - expanding the list of enumerated grounds for non-discrimination; - affirmative action; - accommodating religious and cultural diversity versus gender equality; - the interrelation between socio-economic rights and status-based equality.