Sex work

The former complex rules governing sex work advertising have been repealed.

Section 39(1) of the SO Act states that the Governor in Council may make regulations with respect to advertisements for commercial sexual services. At the date of publication there are no such regulations in force. Section 38F of the Crimes Act makes the publishing of an advertisement that contravenes the regulations an offence punishable by 40 pu.

It is a serious crime to advertise for the purpose of deceptively recruiting another person in order to provide commercial sexual services. Deceptive recruiting is punishable by up to five years’ imprisonment (s53F Crimes Act). If the person who is recruited is under the age of 18 years, and the person advertising knows that they are; this is considered aggravated deceptive recruiting for commercial sexual services and is punishable by up to 10 years’ imprisonment (s 53G Crimes Act).