The Sex Worker Advisory Group, or SWAG, is a unique collaboration between the New Zealand Police, the New Zealand Prostitutes' Collective (NZPC), and groups like Rape Crisis to help sex workers better access support services after sexual assault.
Aotearoa/New Zealand decriminalised sex work in 2003, and since then sex workers can call on police for protection without fear of arrest. SWAG was founded after Sara Kennedy, a detective constable with the Hutt Valley Adult Sexual Assault Team, received a number of suggestions for improving support from a sex worker who was an alleged victim of sexual assault. Kennedy approached NZPC about upgrading their combined offerings and, as a result, SWAG was born. Their most recent work, released late last year on International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, was the publication of the new resource ‘What to do - A guide for sex workers who have experienced sexual assault’.
Sexual assault in the sex industry
Sexual assault isn’t common in the industry, according to SWAG’s coordinator, Tanya Morrison, however there is still stigma around sex work in New Zealand. When many people’s attitude is, as Morrison put it, “Aren’t you getting sexually assaulted in a daily basis?”, finding non-judgmental support can be incredibly difficult. Kennedy also acknowledges the role of internalised stigma. “Shame and embarrassment are just massive today”, Kennedy said. “Even though it’s legal and should be.”
