swopwa - Magenta

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Newsletter
November 2011
Want to Share
Something
with us?
We want to hear if you
have a story, advice/tips,
poem, joke or even a
funny cartoon you want
to share about working in
the sex industry. Bring it
in so we can put it in the
newsletter! Contributions
are anonymous and can
be about anything you
wish to share – the good
the bad or the funny.
Please contact Magenta
staff about contributing.
Welcome to our new home!
Come and visit Magenta staff at 122 Aberdeen Street, Northbridge.
Everyone is welcome to visit us to access the many services we offer or
to JUST HAVE A CHAT with one of our friendly Educators. In response
to feedback from our customers Magenta will be open Tuesday to
Friday 9am to 4pm. From January 2012
Magenta and SWOPWA closed over Christmas & New Year
Magenta and SWOPWA will close at 11.45am on Thursday the 22nd
December to re-open on Tuesday the 3rd January 2011. There will be
no outreach during this time. The Magenta and SWOPWA staff take this
opportunity to wish you all the very best of the season and we will see
you in the New Year.
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Magenta and SWOPWA newsletter
Magenta Sex Worker Clinic
Friendly Female Doctor Available
•
•
•
•
•
•
Clinic Appointments Free of Charge
No Medicare card needed
You do not have to use your real name
FREE STI, HIV and Hepatitis Testing
Contraception Advice
Anonymous and Confidential
Call Magenta on (08) 9328 1387
to book an appointment
Magenta suggests sex workers have STI screenings
every three months. We provide confidential and
anonymous checks for sexually transmissible
infections and blood-borne viruses. We also
provide free Hep A & B vaccinations. No Medicare
Card needed. Interpreters can be arranged for the
clinic – let us know ahead of time if you require
one.
Magenta诊所
Please ring for an appointment and let Jacky or
Kat know if your appointment is urgent. Our clinic
books out quickly so please give us a few weeks’
notice. We can suggest other sex worker friendly
clinics you can attend if needed. Contact Magenta
immediately if you notice any symptoms before
your next appointment is due or if you experience
a broken condom.
我们的诊所是非常繁忙的。所以请你提前几个星期跟
Magenta建议小姐每三个月要进行性感染检查。 我们
对此是完全保密的。 我们提供免费甲肝和乙肝的疫
苗。这个不须医保卡的。 我们的诊所也提供翻译服
务。 如果你要找翻译，请跟我们预约。
我们预约。 如果有需要的话，我们也可以提议其他
关心小姐的诊所给你。 如果你有急事，请跟Jacky 或
Kat 联系。还有，如果你发现身体有某种症状， 或有
安全套破裂，请尽快告诉我们。
Useful Numbers
Magenta/SWOPWA
9328 1387
Royal Perth Sexual Health Clinic
9224 2178
FPWA Sexual Health Services
9227 6177
Sexual Health Helpline
9227 6178 (metro)
1800 198 205 (country callers)
B2 Sexual Health Clinic (Fremantle)
9431 2149
Contact
Magenta
9328 1387
[email protected]
[email protected]
www.magenta.org.au
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Magenta and SWOPWA
newsletter
Showers
SWOPWA clients can now enjoy
shower facilities for free at our
Aberdeen Street premises. We
have fresh towels, nice warm
water, bath gel and friendly staff
to make you feel welcome. Our
opening hours are from 9:00am
to 4:00pm Monday to Thursday at
122 Aberdeen Street. So come on
by, freshen up and enjoy a cuppa
with one of our educators.
Magenta shop
Magenta has a brilliant new shop, stocking
a full range of supplies at 122 Aberdeen
Street. We are a not-for-profit organisation,
so our products are priced at an affordable
rate. All stock is stored in an air-conditioned
room to prevent any deterioration caused
by extremes of the environment and
to ensure the quality of the product is
maintained.
The shop stocks four brands of condom,
Ansell, Glyde, Four Seasons and Durex in a
range of sizes and flavours. Condoms are
available for purchase in varying quantities,
from full boxes to small packets, to suit your
needs and budget.
Magenta stock five different kinds of
lubricant: Glyde, Wetstuff, Wetstuff Gold,
Wetstuff Secrets, and Durex 2 in 1 with sizes
ranging from one litre to 60 grams. Other
products available are flavoured dams,
finger cots and various size gloves.
And there’s more…
Magenta carries a range of toys – Don’t
go to sex shops, come to us. Our toys are
priced at just above cost price and if we
don’t have your favourite toys in stock, let
us know and we’ll do our best to get them
in for you.
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Magenta and SWOPWA newsletter
Dear Daphne
The cons of using sponges
girl friends of
Some working
t
told me abou
mine recently
me
. Can you tell
using sponges
se?
a
out them ple
a bit more ab
the
And what are
?
fe
sa
ey
th
re
A
.
of using them
pros and cons
Thanks,
Steph
Hi Steph,
Thanks for your enquiry.
Some ladies like to wear sponges (aka
“Beppy’s”) when they have their period. They
are made out of high density, sterile, low allergy
foam and act similarly to a tampon. When used
correctly they are as safe as using tampons.
The pros of using sponges
Due to the texture of the sponge they are
popular with working girls as they are virtually
undetectable during intercourse. Also, there is
no string attached which makes them invisible
from the outside of your body. You can leave
a sponge inside your vagina for 6-8 hours and
they are highly absorbent which makes them
very convenient. The Beppy sponge is made
specifically for this use, unlike sea sponges or
car sponges which are not sterile, nor are they
high density. Beppy sponges also tend to be
less messy than conventional tampons as the
lack of external string makes the sponge less
likely that you will show signs of having your
period. (A good thing if you want to keep working
and providing a full service.)
The biggest con to using sponges, (which comes
from experience as well as talking to women
who’ve tried them) is that they can sometimes
be tricky to remove. This can be particularly so
if you are unfamiliar with your own anatomy (i.e.,
you haven’t explored the inside of your vagina
with your fingers before.) To be honest I did
have a troublesome experience myself once. On
this occasion I’d had a busy day and had seen a
particularly large gentleman who was also quite
vigorous.
What if I lose a sponge?
Don’t panic!!! The sponge cannot travel to
any other part of your body. It is most likely
caught between your cervix and vaginal wall. Try
squatting on the floor (this opens up your pelvis
more) and feel for the sponge with your finger.
Having a warm bath may fill the sponge with
water and make it heavier; this may help it to
move down in the vagina and be easier to reach.
If you still cannot remove the sponge you can
resort to hands on (with gloves!) peer support
or see a health professional who can easily
remove it in the clinic. DO NOT attempt to use
any foreign instruments to remove the sponge.
As with tampon use, there are always
associated risks when inserting foreign objects
inside the vagina such as toxic shock syndrome
and irritation of the vaginal wall.
Good luck Steph
Write to Daphne for working advice and
sexual health info at [email protected]
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Magenta and SWOPWA
newsletter
Pelvic floor health
As women, most of us are aware of how to look
after ourselves, general hygiene and things to
look out for regarding our sexual health. When
everything is ticking along nicely it’s great and
your body does what it’s meant to. After child birth,
wear and tear, and generally getting a bit older
there’s another issue that may or may not rear
its head and this is the good old pelvic floor.
Pelvic floor weakness can cause problems
such as the inability to hold on when you
need to go to the toilet and in advanced
stages, may lead to a prolapse, where the
uterus falls from its suspension into and
beyond the vagina.
What is the pelvic floor?
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles
and ligaments which support the
bladder, uterus (womb) and bowel.
The openings from these organs,
the urethra from the bladder, the
vagina from the uterus and the
anus from the bowel pass through
the pelvic floor. The pelvic floor
muscles attach to your pubic bone
at the front and the tail bone at
the back and from the base of
your pelvis.
It is recommended that all
women exercise their pelvic floor
muscles everyday throughout life,
to prevent weakness and improve
strength. Exercising weak muscles
regularly, over a period of time can
strengthen them and make them
work effectively again. Regular gentle
exercise, such as walking can also help
to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles.
Basic pelvic floor exercise
Close your eyes, imagine what muscles you
would tighten to stop yourself from passing wind
or to ‘hold on’ from passing urine. If you can’t feel a
distinct tightening of these muscles, ask for some
help from a women’s health physiotherapist. She
will help you to get started.
Now that you can feel your pelvic floor muscles
working, tighten them around your front passage,
vagina and back passage as strongly as possible
and hold for three to five seconds. By doing
this, you should feel your pelvic floor
muscles ‘lift up’ inside you and feel a
definite ‘let go’ as the muscles relax. If
you can hold longer (but no more than
a maximum of eight seconds), then do
so. Remember, the squeeze must stay
strong and you should feel a definite
‘let go’.
Repeat up to ten times or until you feel
your pelvic floor muscles fatigue.
Rest for a few seconds in
between each squeeze.
Ideally, this is an
exercise that you
will maintain
throughout your
life. The great
thing about
pelvic floor
exercise is that
it only takes a
few moments,
you can do
it anywhere
and nobody
will know when
you’re doing it.
This information
was taken from
The Royal Women’s
Hospital Victoria
fact sheets www.
thewomens.org.au/
pelvicfloorexercises
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Magenta and SWOPWA newsletter
Safe sex in toy land
Sex toys can be lots of fun whether you are playing
by yourself or with a partner. A few basic hygiene
tips can make sure it’s all good clean fun. Many
people don’t realise that toys can pass on HIV and
other sexually transmissible infections (STIs). So
be sure you’ve got some latex and lube in your toy
box, and follow the cleaning guidelines below.
Latex and lube
Like other forms of unsafe sex, sharing toys puts
you at risk of contracting and passing on HIV and
STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, hepatitis, and
genital warts. Many people with an STI have no
symptoms, so unless you and your partner(s) have
been tested you have no way of knowing what
you do or don’t have. While there is no cure for HIV,
many STIs (e.g. chlamydia) can be easily treated
with a simple course of antibiotics.
The best way to keep your toys safe and clean is
to cover them with a condom every time you use
them. Use a new condom each time, and replace it
when you switch between vagina, anus or mouth,
and if you share a toy with a partner. Condoms
stop bodily fluids like blood, semen and vaginal
fluids from being exchanged.
Using lubricant with toys can enhance pleasure
and reduce friction, which lessens the chance
of causing abrasions that can allow viruses and
bacteria to enter the body more easily. Always use
water-based lube, such as KY jelly or Wet Stuff.
Oil-based lubricants, such as massage oils, Vaseline
and baby oil, weaken condoms and increases the
risk of breakage, and can damage some sex toys,
and make them difficult to clean.
Cleaning your sex toys
To reduce the risk of infection, sex toys should be
cleaned after each use. Most toys, including rubber,
latex and vinyl toys, and jellies, can be washed
with a mild soap and warm water then rinsed well.
When cleaning vibrators, any plastic attachments
can be submerged in warm soapy water, but be
careful not to let the part that holds the batteries
get wet. Electric vibes should not be submerged
at all. Silicone toys that aren’t battery-operated
can be boiled or cleaned with a bleach solution
and thoroughly rinsed (follow the directions on
the bottle). Items made from Cyberskin should
be rinsed with hot water or lightly rubbed with a
cloth dampened with an alcohol cleaning solution
(avoiding any electrical parts). Vinyl and leather
harnesses can be wiped with a damp, soapy
cloth, and nylon webbing harnesses can go in
the washing machine. Sex toy cleaning fluid can
also be used and is available from some adult toy
stores.
Don’t put toys away when they are wet – let them
air dry first, as bacteria cannot live on clean, dry
surfaces.
How to use condoms with toys
1. Gently open the packet and take out the
condom (be careful not to tear it with your teeth,
fingernails or rings).
2. Check that the condom is the right way up by
unrolling it slightly (it will only unroll one way).
Unroll it all the way down so that the part of the
toy coming in contact with the genital area is
covered.
3. Use a water-based lubricant on the outside of
the condom or around the partner’s genital area
– oil-based lubricants like Vaseline and baby oil
can weaken the condom and increase the risk of
breakage.
4. Occasionally check that the condom is still
covering the toy during sex. If it rolls up, roll it back
into place immediately. If it comes off put a new
condom on the toy before sex continues.
5. After sex, remove the condom from the toy and
throw it in the bin.
6. Always use a new condom when switching
between the vagina, anus or mouth, or if sharing
the toy with a partner.
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Magenta and SWOPWA newsletter
Disability friendly
Sex workers
SARC
FPWA has organised a working party to
investigate the needs of people with a disability
who seek the services of sex workers. We
would welcome the participation and input
of interested persons by becoming a part of
the committee or completing the survey that
is being circulated by Magenta Educators or
by following the link on our Facebook page.
Your input will assist us with gathering current
information and in formulating plans to assist
clients with a disability to access services safely
and successfully. The information collected will
also assist in identifying the support and training
required by sex workers to enable them to
provide services to people with a disability. The
next meeting will be held at FPWA in February,
please contact Krissy or Bec at Magenta if you
would like to attend.
The Sexual Assault Resource Centre (SARC) is
a free and 24 hour service. SARC can help to
prevent pregnancy and sexual disease, collect
physical evidence of sexual assault, and can
help you in reporting incidents to the police
if you want. Evidence is best collected within
two weeks of the incident, will be kept for three
months and can be kept by SARC for up to 12
months if you wish - giving you time to decide if
you want to report the matter to the police.
For more information or help call the SARC
Crisis Line (08) 9340 1828 or Freecall 1800 199
888.
Need a read?
Have you checked out FPWA’s library? Annual
membership costs only $10 ($5 concession) but you
can also just come in and browse without joining.
The next time you’re Northbridge drop into FPWA
and check it out. FPWA is on the corner of Roe and
Lake Street in Northbridge and the library (located
upstairs) has a huge range of books, DVDs, videos
and journals on all things related to sex! Topics
covered include sexual health, men’s and women’s
health and relationships. This is the largest sexual
health library in the Southern Hemisphere
so you’re sure to find something of interest!
For more information visit: www.fpwa.org.au/
library
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Magenta and SWOPWA newsletter
Magenta country
Many sex workers live, work and travel throughout
WA and Magenta is always looking for ways to get
in touch with and support rural workers in any
way we can. Twice a year Magenta Educators go
to Kalgoorlie, Port Hedland and Karratha. In the
future we are hoping to visit other regional centres
including Bunbury and Busselton.
During our stay we catch up with as many workers
as we can to swap information and to discuss any
issues relevant to workers in local areas. We have
lots of information and gifts to give out such as
our revamped Worker Information packs, Scarlet
Alliance STI handbooks, Legislation information
packs, Ugly Mug reports and free samples of
different sizes and flavours of condoms, as well
as lube, finger cots and dams. We also carry
limited boxes of supplies for workers to buy at
much cheaper than local rates. Educators visit
other agencies (such as Population Health where
you can get your free regular STI check-ups) to
foster friendly relations between these important
services and regional sex workers.
One of the services that we have been trialing in
Kalgoorlie is the offer to bring a sex worker-friendly
Population Health Nurse to parlours or to your
private place of work to do on-the-spot STI testing.
The aim of this is to encourage a friendly and
effective relationship with local health services and
to offer workers testing at a time and location that
might be more convenient. Magenta Educators
also visit a range of other services in regional
towns to encourage local sex worker- friendly
practices.
Magenta visits local parlours as well as private
workers, female, male and trans-gender workers,
Australian workers and workers of many different
nationalities and languages. We always advertise
in the classifieds to let workers know we are
coming to town and we usually phone everyone
who is advertising to introduce ourselves and
to set up a meeting if we can. We would love to
hear from any workers in regional WA to share
information on local conditions and experiences.
Workers doing fly-in/fly-out tours – we can give
you all our information and also contacts for sex
worker support organisations in other states.
Don’t forget we can send you C.O.D. orders of
cheap supplies. Just give us a call during working
hours.
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Magenta and SWOPWA newsletter
Tips for workers touring
Regional areas
Port Hedland & South Hedland useful
contacts
• In many northern mining towns,
accommodation can be extremely
expensive and in short supply. Make sure
you have a return airfare so that you can
leave if things go suddenly wrong or if you
are not making as much money as you were
expecting;
• Let someone know where you are going
and how long you expect to be there;
• Drug and alcohol consumption is high
in many regional areas - be prepared to
negotiate at times with intoxicated clients;
• For safety reasons it’s best to be discreet in
regional areas;
• Private workers: work and travel in pairs if
you can;
• Arrange the timing of private bookings
effectively so your place of work doesn’t
attract unwanted attention
• Gather information on local services that
you might need;
• Call Magenta for help, information and
cheap supplies by post.
Women’s Refuge/Safe House
Phone (08) 9173 1948
Sexual Assault Resource Centre
Acacia Support Centre
Lotteries House - South Hedland (shopping centre
car park)
Phone (08) 9172 5022 (24 hrs. crisis line 9172 5044)
South Hedland Police Station
Forrest Circle, South Hedland
Phone (08) 9160 2100
Population and Health Unit
Colebatch Way
Co-located with Gemini Medical Centre
South Hedland WA 6722
Phone (08) 9158 9241 Mobile 0411 041916
Well Women’s Centre
3A Leake Street South Hedland
Phone (08) 9140 1124
JEMS (Previously Port Of Call)
14 Pinnacles street, Wedgefield 6721
(half way between Port & South Hedland)
Phone (08) 9172 3333 Mobile 0415 806 027
Where to get your STI check-up in
Regional areas
Karratha useful contacts
Population Health:
Karratha Police Station
Bassett Road, Karratha
Phone (08) 9143 7200
Coastal and Wheatbelt (Northam)
(08) 9622 4320
Gascoyne (Carnarvon)
(08) 9941 0515
99410519
Goldfields (Kalgoorlie)
(08) 9080 8200
Great Southern (Albany)
(08) 9842 7525
Kimberley (Broome)
(08) 9194 1630
Midwest (Geraldton)
(08) 9956 1965
Pilbara (South Hedland)
(08) 9172 8306
(Karratha)
(08) 9143 2221
South West (Bunbury)
(08) 9781 2350
Women’s Refuge/Safe House
Phone (08) 9185 2807
Pilbara Population Health (opp BP Service
Station)
Warrambie Road, Karratha
Phone (08) 91432221 Mobile 0417 189 949
Port Of Call:
9A Crane Circle Pegs Creek 6714
Phone (08) 9144 4380
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Magenta and SWOPWA newsletter
Kalgoorlie useful contacts
Population Health
Anonymous and free (first name only) STI screenings
and Pap smears available at the clinic or will visit you.
Also provides information, support and counselling
for women’s health issues. No booking required.
36 Ware Street, Kalgoorlie
Phone (08) 9080 8200
Goldfields Women’s Health Care Centre
The Women’s Wellness Clinic provides STI screenings
and Pap smears. Free with Medicare card only, and
bookings required. Also offers support, information
and referral regarding any women’s health issue.
15 Dugan Street, Kalgoorlie
Phone (08) 9021 8266
Centrecare Goldfields – (Drug Arm)
Support for alcohol & other drug use. Victim Support
Service: including sexual assault and family violence
support. Financial counselling available.
Accountants
Pat Duddy & Associates
Sex Worker Friendly Tax Consultants.
11 Dugan Street, Kalgoorlie Phone (08) 9021 5566
WA Police Service
Brookman Street, Kalgoorlie
Phone (08) 9021 9777
The Pink House
Hay street, Kalgoorlie
(08) 9021 4897
The Red House
Hay street, Kalgoorlie
(08) 9022 8222
Langtrees
Hay street, Kalgoorlie
(08) 9026 2181
FPWA
Sexual Helpline
Country callers: 1800 198 205 (Monday – Friday)
168 Dugan Street Kalgoorlie
Phone (08) 9080 0333
Freecall:1800 671 833
Translating services available for all services
Goldfields Women’s Refuge
Crisis Accommodation for women and children, 24
hour crisis service available. Useful numbers – Metro
Phone (08) 9021 2836
Crisis Care 1800 199008 (24 hour)
Email: [email protected]
FPWA Sexual Health Services
Sexual health appointments, referral and counselling
(08) 9227 6177
Sexual Health Helpline, for advice on sexual health
issues (08) 9227 6178
Kalgoorlie Hospital
Piccadilly Street
Phone (08) 9080 5888
NSP Coordinator at Regional Hospital
Piccadilly Street Kalgoorlie Hospital
Phone (08) 9080 5384
Non-metro callers 1800 198 205
Poisons Information 13 11 26
Health Direct 180 0022 222
Lotteries House
Information on local services.
40 Wilson Street, Kalgoorlie
Phone (08) 9091 6200
Fremantle Hospital B2 sexual health clinic
Free services (08) 9431 3333
Royal Perth Hospital sexual health clinic
Free services (08)9224 2178
Quarry (STI clinic for under 25’s)
(08) 9430 4544
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Magenta and SWOPWA newsletter
Check out these
helpful websites
that relate to sexual
health and sex work
http://www.fpwa.org.au/healthinformation/
infosheets/
This is the larger organisational body of Magenta
services. On the FPWA Sexual Health Services, you
will also find a link to our own website.
www.services4sexworkers.eu
Is a European website which supports sex
workers in Europe, offering resources around
accommodation, health, social services, and legal
advice.
www.scarletalliance.org.au/
The Australian Sex worker lobbying group Scarlet
Alliance is a peer-based organisation.The website
has useful links and information regarding the
law, sex worker communities and upcoming
events,law changes and support.
www.touchingbase.org
Touching Base is an organisation that provides
resources, training and information on the subject
of disabilities and sexual health.
http://nothing-about-us-without-us.com/tag/
perth/
The LASH (Law and Sexual Health) website covers
a range of topics relating to sex work in Australia
and internationally.
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Magenta and SWOPWA newsletter
Prostitution bill 2011 summary
This year the State Government conducted
a review of the prostitution laws in Western
Australia and changes to the existing act
have been proposed in a draft Prostitution
Bill 2011. Attorney General Christian Porter
released the draft legislation in June for
public comment and submissions.
Submissions were considered and
significant changes were made to the draft
as a result of this. These changes and the
Green Bill are available at the following
website: http://www.department.dotag.
wa.gov.au/P/prostitution_law_reform.aspx
A Green Bill outlining the proposed
changes to the prostitution laws in
operation in Western Australia has now
been released for public comment; it is
important to note that the Green Bill does
not necessarily represent the Government’s
settled position. The Prostitution Act 2000 (WA) is currently
the principal legislation governing
prostitution in Western Australia and
until the proposed Bill has been passed
by Parliament these are the laws that are
applied.
The proposed Bill will repeal the Prostitution
Act 2000 (WA) and the Prostitution
Amendment Act 2008 and the Prostitution
(Restraining Orders) Regulations 2000 (WA).
The Green Bill includes most of the existing
provisions in the Prostitution Act 2000 (WA).
There is still an opportunity for you to
influence this bill by getting in touch with
your local Member of Parliament and
voicing your concerns about the proposed
changes to the law and how this will affect
you. You can do this anonymously by snail
mail, email or phone.
For more information, please see the link
above, or phone or come in to speak to a
Magenta educator.
Magenta and SWOPWA newsletter
13
Staff Profile
Hi!!! I’m Pete and I am a new peer educator
at Magenta. This is my second coming as I
previously worked with SWOPWA in 2005.
Outside of the industry I have been busy
studying for qualifications in counselling,
psychology and sexology. I have also
worked in various jobs in the social services
sector.
Magenta has recently undergone many
changes which have given our service a
sparkle. This is a great place for ex-workers
to work, as our industry experience is
valued and drawn upon. It’s also a lot of
fun, engaging and we have lots of juicy
conversations. For the past three months
we have been working on ways to engage
with more male workers and within a short
space of time we are seeing more men
coming in for a chat and using our services,
resources and products. We have also
revamped our workers pack for men and
have more male products. Guys!!! Let us
know if you have some ideas about how we
can better meet your needs.
My story as a working lad is that I entered
through the backdoor, Lol!! I was doing
remedial massage with a sensual twist and
began accepting invitations to have sex
with the clients afterwards. At some stage,
a client worked up enough courage to ask
to pay for a happy ending and that started
the ball rolling. I was accepting male and
female clients and offering a range of
services.
The more I talk with other workers about
what is happening within their work and
lives the more I see how unique and diverse
our experiences are. You are most welcome
to come in and chat with us.
14
Magenta and SWOPWA newsletter
Trans sex worker information pack in progress
Magenta has Sex Worker Information packs for female and male workers and we are currently working
on producing a trans-specific information pack. If you have anything that you think would be useful
to include or have any questions you would like us to answer in our upcoming Trans Sex Workers
Information Pack, please call us on (08) 9328 1387 or email us at [email protected]
Tucking tips:
Many Trans use tucking to hide the look of their penis under their clothing. The idea is to gently push
the testicles up inside the body and then pull the penis back between the legs. Everything is then
either held in place through the use of tape or tight fitting underwear.
• If you are planning to father a child any time
soon, then forget tucking and wear loose
dresses or pants. Tucking reduces your sperm
count, since your testicles are very close to your
body and the body temperature effects sperm
production.
• Relieve yourself before you plan to tuck and
keep this area as dry as possible.
• Shave the scrotum and surrounding area with
a good razor and good shaving cream or gel. If
you do not want to shave, cut the hair in your
groin really short especially if you are using
surgical tape.
• If you are using tape, make sure it is surgical
tape. Using other types of tape like duct tape
can take your skin off when you remove it. Tapes
that do not breathe like duct tape can create an
environment that is ideal for bacteria to grow.
• Glue is not recommended as it tends to take
the skin with it. An alternative is Johnson and
Johnson’s Liquid Band-Aids.
• You can apply an ice pack so your penis will
shrivel up a bit.
• Sitting down must be practiced, because sitting
too hard is like being kicked in the groin.
• It is important to change the tape at least once a
day and massage the area.
• As the urethra is in close proximity to the
perineum, your risk of developing a urinary tract
infection may increase. Keeping the area clean
and wiping from front to back can reduce the
risk of infection.
• Do not tuck for too many hours and never stay
tucked when not necessary because chafing or
sores may occur.
• For removing surgical tape, baby oil works really
well and it will take all the sticky goo off as well.
By Hanieh Tolouei
15
Magenta and SWOPWA newsletter
Hep C and sexual transmission.
Does it occur?
Although there is some
uncertainty about hepatitis C
being transmitted sexually, it’s
not classified as an STI (sexually
transmissible infection). General
scientific knowledge supports
this position.
Some people, unable to identify
any other risk factors, believe
they may have contracted hep
C sexually. Additionally, some
research suggests that a small
percentage of people do contract
hep C through sexual contact.
Thus, transmission of hep C
during sex is seen as possible but
is believed to be rare.
General transmission of hep C
Hep C is most commonly transmitted through
blood-to-blood contact, i.e. when the blood of
someone with the virus enters the bloodstream of
someone else.
This can occur through:
• sharing needles or syringes or any other drug
injecting equipment; or
• unsafe tattooing or body piercing.
Less common means are from mother to baby
at birth (vertical transmission), household
transmissions (e.g. sharing razors and
toothbrushes) and occupational transmission
(mainly through needle-stick or sharps injuries).
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) has not been found in
the breast milk of mothers with hepatitis C. Breast
feeding is encouraged unless a mother’s nipples
are cracked and/or bleeding.
Before HCV tests were introduced in Australia
(in 1990), some people received contaminated
blood transfusions or blood products. All blood
donations in Australia are now screened for
hepatitis C.
There is a slightly increased rate of hep C
transmission in people with multiple sexual
partners and high levels of sexual activity. Studies
showing this, though, have usually found it difficult
to exclude other possible routes of transmission,
e.g. injecting drug use.
16
Magenta and SWOPWA newsletter
HCV transmission during sex: is it possible?
If hep C is transmitted during sex, it is likely to be
through blood-to-blood contact. This emphasises
the need for safe sex practices where there is a risk
of blood-to-blood contact, e.g. sex when you have
cuts or lesions on or close to the genitals, during
anal sex (because the anus lining is easily broken),
during menstruation, and during sexual practices
that may involve bleeding or broken skin.
Transmission of hep C through sexual body fluids
(rather than blood) is thought to be rare. It is
probably more likely to occur when the amount
of HCV circulating in the blood is high. This may
occur in the initial acute stage of infection or
when the immune system is suppressed (e.g. coinfection with HIV). In such cases, though, the
hep C-negative sexual partner would additionally
require a break in their skin to allow entry of hep C
into their bloodstream.
Research increasingly suggests the risk of
sexual transmission of hep C either through
blood-to-blood contact or sexual body fluids is
minimal.
Sex and relationships
When one or both partners are hep C positive,
couples need to assess their sexual practices
to reduce the risk of blood-to-blood contact
during sex. People need to balance the desire for
unprotected sex against the very small risk of hep C
transmission.
It is currently believed that a decision to use safe
sex methods depends on the nature of the sexual
relationship. With new or casual sexual partners,
or any instances where there may be blood-toblood contact during sex, safe sex practices should
always be used to protect against the wide range
of STIs. Within monogamous sexual relationships
where there is little risk of blood-to-blood contact,
there is no need to adopt safe sex practices just
because one partner is hep C positive.
Safe sex and sexually transmitted diseases
All sexually active people should consider
safe sex because of the risk of contracting a
sexually transmissible infection. STIs include
conditions such as genital herpes, HIV, hepatitis B,
gonorrhoea, syphilis, chlamydia, crabs and genital
warts. If you have any condition that involves
scratching, sores or blisters (especially when these
may come into contact during sexual activity)
the possibility of blood-to-blood contact and
transmission of STIs is increased.
Produced by the Hepatitis C Council of NSW with assistance from
NSW Health, Drs Ingrid van Beek, Alex Wodak and Leena Gupta, and
Profs Geoff McCaughan, Geoff Farrell, Michael Kidd, Sue Kippax and
Bob Batey.
Reproduced with kind permission from the Hepatitis C Council of
NSW.
© 2007 QOL Series
17
Magenta and SWOPWA newsletter
Welcome to the
Scarlet Letters
Scarlet Alliance is the peak body of individual
sex workers, sex worker organisations, projects,
and groups in Australia. We represent issues
affecting sex workers at a national level. The
Scarlet Letters pages are for sex workers of
all genders and sexualities. It is through our
objectives, policies and programs, that Scarlet
Alliance works to achieve equality, social,
legal, political, cultural and economic justice
for past and present sex workers. We use The
Scarlet Letters and the Scarlet Alliance website
(www.scarletalliance.org.au) to keep sex
workers in Australia up to date with what is
happening nation wide.
Death of Ally Daniel
We are saddened to announce the loss of
Scarlet Alliance Presidential Double Ally Daniel.
She was a valued leader of the sex worker rights
movement, and will be sorely missed by Scarlet
Alliance and our membership.
She is pictured below with Jules Kim (left)
participating in the 2011 Sydney Mardi Gras in
the Our Bodies Say Something float.
Scarlet Alliance, Australian Sex Workers
Association Inc.
Scarlet Alliance membership is spread
throughout Australia and made up of
individual sex workers and community-based
sex worker organisations/projects/groups with
a philosophy that matches ours. We have
an affirmative action policy that ensures our
membership is made up of sex workers and
that the level of input from sex workers is high.
In practice this means we speak out against
discrimination and stigmatisation of sex
workers, lobby for more equitable laws,
develop policy and position papers, present
workshops and information to raise awareness
of issues affecting sex workers and to break
down stereotypes. As part of the sex worker
rights movement we utilise the media,
publications, journals and public events to
raise awareness and visibility of sex worker
communities.
Membership forms are available on the Scarlet
Alliance website. Individual membership costs
$20 for one full year and $50 for three full
financial years.
Scarlet Alliance has moved to a new office
space! Please note our new details.
Postal - P.O. Box 2167
STRAWBERRY HILLS NSW 2012
Office - Suite 9, 245 Chalmers St
REDFERN, Sydney
Phone - 02 9690 0551
Fax - 02 9690 1013
Email - [email protected]
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Inclusion Working Party
Scarlet Alliance has started a working party
aimed at developing ways to increase the
participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander sex workers in Scarlet Alliance activities
and improve representation for Indigenous sex
workers in Scarlet Alliance and in the Australian
sex worker rights movement. We want to better
reflect the wants and needs of Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander sex workers in our work. To
get involved, email [email protected].
au and ask to be added to the mailing list or
call 02 9690 0551 on a Tuesday or Wednesday
and speak to Heather.
How you can help
The grapevine is the best way to get active with sex worker networking, so you can start by
letting other sex workers know about Scarlet Alliance! Check out the website, join a working
party, or send us your latest review or article to be published on our website. We look forward
to hearing your concerns and getting more sex workers involved.
Additionally, writing letters to the editor (which can be done under an alias or by requesting
your name be withheld) or adding your opinion to online articles about sex work helps us all
present an alternative understanding of who sex workers are.
www.scarletalliance.org.au
18
Magenta and SWOPWA newsletter
Scarlet Letters
Scarlet Alliance update
Scarlet Alliance CEO Janelle Fawkes at the UN
High Level Meeting in New York
Anwernekenhe Conference
In June, Scarlet Alliance CEO Janelle Fawkes was
invited to attend the United Nations High Level
Meeting on HIV/AIDS and related side events as
part of the Australian delegation. The delegation
was headed by the Foreign Minister, the Hon.
Kevin Rudd MP, and included people living with
HIV, representatives from civil society, medical and
other experts, Parliamentarians, and Australian
Government representatives. This is the first time the
delegation has included a sex worker. The purpose
of the UN HLM included reviewing progress achieved
in realising the 2001 Declaration of Commitment
on HIV/AIDS and the 2006 Declaration on HIV/AIDS
with a view to guiding and intensifying the global
response to HIV and AIDS by promoting continued
political commitment and engagement of leaders
in a comprehensive response at the community,
local, regional and international level to halt and
reverse the HIV epidemic and mitigate its impact.
In August, Scarlet Alliance Vice President Audry
Autonomy and Scarlet Alliance Communications
Officer Heather Walker, both representing the
Scarlet Alliance Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Inclusion Working Party, travelled to Cairns for the
Anwernekenhe National Aboriginal & Torres Strait
Islander HIV/AIDS Alliance (ANA) 5th National
HIV/AIDS and Sexual Health Conference. They
presented on Indigenous Sex Workers, Stigma and
Discrimination, which was very well received, and
participated in four days of workshops, presentations
and networking. They also promoted the Working
Party and Scarlet Alliance membership to Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander sex workers.
This is the first time the declaration named the key
affected populations, including sex workers. The
UN HLM committed nation states to establish clear
budget codes for HIV program spending targeting
key populations to redirect HIV resources to maximise
impact in order to achieve universal access.
members visited Scarlet Alliance in Sydney for an
intensive program of workshops aimed at supporting
Friends Frangipani to develop and consolidate their
capacity and demonstrate their ability to be a more
independent organisation that can manage funding
and activities directly. The workshops covered
budgeting, financial accountability, organisational
planning, administration, reporting, monitoring and
evaluation and governance. Highlights included
time spent with Scarlet Alliance Executive and staff in
exchanges of skills and experience, and observing a
NSW sex worker consultation meeting. The after-hours
activities gave the group an opportunity to experience
Australian sex worker advocacy discussions, social life
and to visit workplaces.
Friends Frangipani Visit
Friends Frangipani is the national sex workers
organisation of Papua New Guinea. Friends
Frangipani has sub committees in eight places, with
over 250 members, and has an elected Executive
Committee providing governance and leadership.
Friends Frangipani has worked with Scarlet
Alliance in a capacity development partnership
since 2005. The current work focuses on capacity
development for the greater independence of
Friends Frangipani, as they prepare for a greater
role and responsibility within the PNG HIV response.
In August 2011 a group of seven staff and Executive
Attendees of Anwernekenhe (meaning “Us Mob,
Meeting Together, Here in This Place”) were in general
agreement on the need for better representation
and support for Indigenous sex workers.
After the program, three representatives travelled on
to South Korea for the ICAAP conference, where they
presented on Friends Frangipani’s recent advocacy
work on law reform.
It’s Time To Renew Your Scarlet Alliance Membership
The time has come to renew your Scarlet Alliance membership. Ongoing support of Scarlet Alliance allows
us to do critical advocacy and representation work that we are not currently funded to undertake as well
as producing a annual magazine that is not funded.
Scarlet Alliance recognises that membership is not just about money. Having a strong membership base
enables us to consult with and communicate directly with the diversity of the sex work community. It also
demonstrates to Government, other organisations and the wider community that we have the support of
sex workers for the advocacy and representation work that we do.
To renew your membership email [email protected] or call (02) 9690 0551.
Membership Fees: $20 for one year/$50 for three years.
Membership fees are a tax deductible work expense.
www.scarletalliance.org.au/scarletmen
19
Magenta and SWOPWA newsletter
Scarlet Letters
Around Australia
South Australian Rally for Decriminalisation
On June 2nd, International Whores Day, Adelaide
sex workers and their supporters including health
professionals, friends, family and clients took to
the streets to call on the Rann Government to
decriminalise sex work in South Australia. Member for
Ashford, the Hon Stephanie Key was presented with
a petition signed by more than 2000 South Australians
calling on the Government to decriminalise sex
workers in South Australia thus affording them
their basic human rights. Steph Key had previously
announced she would use the rally to launch a
discussion paper outlining the key aspects of the sex
work bill that she will introduce in September.
The rally was part of the local celebrations for
International Whores Day and aimed to help spread
the message that there are no bad whores, just bad
laws.
National Forum 2011 November
22nd - 24th in Darwin
The Scarlet Alliance National Forum is held once
a year. It consists of three days of workshops,
presentations, skillshares, policy development,
peer education, discussions, and includes the
Scarlet Alliance AGM and a party. The Scarlet
Alliance National Forum and all included events
are sex worker only and sex industry business
owners and operators are excluded from
attending. The Agenda can be found here:
http://scarletalliance.org.au/events/
This year, the Scarlet Alliance National Forum is
heading to Darwin. If you would like to attend, fill
in the RSVP form at http://www.surveymonkey.
com/s/QQRXHQZ or contact Heather on (02)
9690 0551 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Sex industry legislation in South Australia has not
changed in more than sixty years, and it remains the
only state in Australia with full criminalisation of sex
work.
An interview with Ari Reid, Manager of SIN, can be
found here: http://tinyurl.com/3k64k4a.
Open Day at Gold Coast Respect Office
The Respect Inc Gold Coast office held a sex
workers only open day on Monday 22nd of August
to introduce their services, staff, management
committee members and volunteers to the Gold
Coast sex worker community.
Although it was raining, there was a high turnout,
with sex workers dropping in throughout the day
to share stories and experiences and socialise with
each other expanding on community development.
Future plans were discussed, as well as how sex
workers could contribute to the organisation and
provide input on what they would like to see going
on in the centre.
The open day was a great opportunity to share
information and tips with each other, give
experiential advice and referrals, sign up new
memberships and discuss volunteer projects and
opportunities within Respect Inc.
NSW Sex Industry Legislation Meeting and Advocacy Clinics
In August, Scarlet Alliance hosted a meeting to discuss the proposed changes to NSW sex industry laws.
The meeting was held in the Scarlet Alliance Red Umbrella Room and was open to all past and present sex
workers. It was aimed at facilitating the opportunity to develop shared strategies within a sex worker only
space.
An introduction to the proposed changes and an overview of the situation to date was given, then the
attendees broke up into small groups to brainstorm strategies. Finally, a list of outcomes was produced, with
members of the group volunteering to be responsible for various roles.
Scarlet Alliance has also been co-ordinating Advocacy Clinics, where sex workers meet at the Scarlet
Alliance offices to increase advocacy skills, understand parliamentary process, and write lobbying letters
to politicians and media focussing on the proposed NSW and WA changes to sex industry legislation. To find
out about future Advocacy Clinics, contact [email protected] or call (02) 9690 0551.
Scarlet Alliance believes that sex work is work and that as sex workers our skills and experience make us the
experts on issues affecting us. Policy and laws about sex work directly impact on our ability to work safely,
negotiate safe sex and have control over our work environments. We believe that politicians should respect
the views and voices of sex workers as the experts on our lives and work, and develop policy accordingly.
www.scarletalliance.org.au
The following information appears translated in Thai, Korean,
Chinese and Vietnamese
Friendly staff at Magenta are here to help you and to answer your questions. We have some
information in your language. Give us a call, come in and see us or we can talk to you at your
workplace.
เจ้าหน้าที่ซึ่งให้ความเป็นกันเองของมาเจนตาจะประจำ�อยู่ที่คลินิกเพื่อช่วยเหลือคุณ และตอบคำ�ถามของคุณ เรา มี
ข้อมูลเป็นภาษาไทย โปรดโทรศัพท์มาหาเรา หรือมาพบกับเราที่คลินิก หรือจะให้เรามาพบกับคุณ ณ ที่ทำ�งาน ของ
คุณก็ได้
Magenta 的職員，態度友善，盡力解答妳的問題，和給妳幫助。本診所備有一 些以中文印製的资料。
歡迎親來診所或以電話詢問。本診所亦可派員到妳服務 處跟妳晤談。
Magenta 의 친절한 직원은 여러분을 돕고 여러분의 질문에 대답할 준비가 되어 있습니다. 정보가
한국어로 비치되어 있으니, 전화상으로 또는 직접 오셔서 아니면 저희가 여러분의 직장을 방문하여
상담해 드리겠습니다.
Các nhân viên rất thân thiện tại Magenta luôn sẵn lòng giúp bạn và giải đáp các thắc mắc. Chúng tôi
có các thông tin bằng tiếng Việt. Hãy gọi điện thoại cho chúng tôi, đến gặp chúng tôi hoặc chúng tôi có
thể nói chuyện với bạn tại nơi bạn làm việc.
Magenta and SWOPWA
9328 1387
[email protected]
[email protected]
www.magenta.org.au