In limbo and in danger: street based sex workers and the issue of tolerance zones

The issue of illegal street-based prostitution in St Kilda, a suburb in Melbourne's south-east, has long seemed an intractable social problem with visibly damaging consequences for both sex workers and the local community.' In March 2001, the Victorian Attorney-General established a Street Prostitution Advisory Group (the Advisory Group) re examine the issue with a view to enhancing the safety of sex workers and reducing some of the undesirable social aspects associated with their trade. In 2002, that Advisory Group recommended, as the cornerstone of a comprehensive strategy, that the State Government establish designated 'tolerance zones' so that street-based sex workers could 'service' clients in 'street worker centres' without fear of prosecution by law enforcement authorities.