---
title: "When sex workers use the word "decriminalize", they mean remove all…"
date: 2020-07-03
source: facebook
type: Archer T. Ships shared a link.
---

# When sex workers use the word "decriminalize", they mean remove all…

*July 3, 2020 · Facebook*

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[https://www.businessinsider.com/sex-worker-explains-the-difference-between-legalizing-and-decriminalizing-prostitution-2015-6?op=1](https://www.businessinsider.com/sex-worker-explains-the-difference-between-legalizing-and-decriminalizing-prostitution-2015-6?op=1){target="_blank"}
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When sex workers use the word \"decriminalize\", they mean remove all criminal penalties and not impose any new regulations. In other words, treat sex work like any other profession.\
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When they use the term \"legalize\" they mean to make legal but regulated, where regulations include things like: mandatory STD screening, red light zoning laws, anti-pimping regulations, etc. While sex workers prefer legalization to an outright ban, they prefer decriminalization to both.\
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It\'s confusing because \"decriminalize\" and \"legalize\" have opposite meanings in the context of drug law reform.\
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More on the issue here:\
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[https://www.businessinsider.com/sex-worker-explains-the-difference-between-legalizing-and-decriminalizing-prostitution-2015-6?op=1](https://www.businessinsider.com/sex-worker-explains-the-difference-between-legalizing-and-decriminalizing-prostitution-2015-6?op=1){target="_blank"}
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