In this episode, Mel sits down with Janelle and Penny from Respect Inc, Queensland’s sex worker–led organisation advocating for safety, rights, and dignity in an industry long shaped by stigma and criminalisation. It’s a conversation arriving at a historic moment: after decades of campaigning by groups like Respect Inc and DecrimQLD, Queensland has now passed laws to decriminalise sex work, a reform designed to improve safety, workplace rights, and personal autonomy for sex workers across the state.

Janelle and Penny unpack what this shift really means on the ground, how outdated laws once restricted basic safety strategies, forced most workers outside the legal framework, and criminalised everyday practices that other industries take for granted. They speak candidly about the challenges that still remain, from the legacy of policing practices to the gaps in support services and the ongoing need for community education and cultural change.

The conversation also explores the recent updates to Queensland’s consent laws, and how these reforms intersect with the lived experiences of sex workers - particularly when it comes to reporting violence, navigating the justice system, and holding offenders accountable. They highlight the reality that while legislative change is a crucial step, true safety requires a shift in how society, institutions, and systems value and protect sex workers.

Together, they offer a clear, grounded picture of where progress has been made, where barriers persist, and what a fully equitable future for sex workers in Queensland could look like. It’s an honest, insightful, and deeply necessary discussion with two advocates who have spent years pushing for evidence‑based reform, human rights, and respect.

Laws in Queensland https://respectqld.org.au/sex-work-and-the-laws-in-queensland/

Consent Laws https://respectqld.org.au/new-consent-laws-for-qld-what-you-need-to-know/

Respect QLD | Support for Queensland sex workers

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(1) Instagram Respect Inc

On behalf of the Hair Therapist we acknowledge the Turrbal and Jagera people, the traditional custodians of the land on which this podcast is produced.

The topics in this podcast are of general nature, we are not licensed professionals, so if any of the content brings up anything for you, please turn it off and reach out for support:

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CREDITS:

Host: Melissa Alsemgeest

Guest: Janelle and Penny

Editor: Robert Alsemgeest

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