ПРОЦЕНКА НА ПОТРЕБИТЕ НА МЛАДИТЕ СЕКСУАЛНИ РАБОТНИЦИ ВО ОДНОС НА ЗДРА Проценка на потребите на младите сексуални работни | Page 31

Sex workers who participated in the discussion in the focus group have pointed out
that there is a significant difference between the work they do on the outdoor scene
(on the streets), where the risk of violence and abuse is far greater, compared to the
work in an indoor scene (in apartments and hotels), where they feel more protected
and sheltered. Despite the need to change their profession, sex workers have stated
that they have begun doing sex work voluntarily and independently, without being
forced, and that sex work is their only source of existential income. Nevertheless, they
wish to do another job because of the bad and unfavorable conditions they work in.
None of us who work indoors or outdoors was forced to do this. This is what we have
chosen for ourselves. Someone feels more secure, others not so much. For example, it is
far worse to work in front of MTV. – transgender sex worker.
I am raising five children on my own; I don’t have a husband and I go out on the street
when I have to. – female sex worker.
Considering past experiences of sex workers and their colleagues and friends who also
work as sex workers, they have concluded that whenever they are to use a particular
service, there are numerous hindrances and obstacles, the likes of which include the
difficult access as well as the fear of the personnel who is supposed to provide the
service for them. The traveling distance to the destination where they are to utilize a
service, the complex requirements related to documentation and registration, as well
as the fear of uncovering their identity have been mentioned as the most common
obstacles when it comes access to services. In certain situations, 40% of the participants
stated that they refuse to use a service due to the previously mentioned reasons.
4.4 Measures for Services Improvement and Their Availability
In the last segment of the discussion, key relevant issues were addressed in terms
of what needs to be done in future so that services are made more available for
sex workers, how to overcome the obstacles and what kind of support sex workers
need by civil organizations to improve the accessibility of the required services.
The focus group participants have particularly singled out the need for a law
that would regulate sex work in the Republic of Macedonia as one of the most
important things regarding their rights and work safety. Currently, sex work in
our country is regulated by Article 19 of the Public Order and Peace Disturbance
Law (Gazette of the Republic of Macedonia No. 66/2007) which states: “Those
who resort to prostitution, as well as rent, i.e. make abodes available for the
purposes of prostitution will be fined from 600 to 800 EUR in MKD currency.”
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