Understanding the Law’s Relationship with Sex Work: Introduction to ‘Sex Work and The Law: Does the Law Matter?’

This special issue of The International Journal Gender, Sexuality and Law, edited by Laura Graham, Victoria Holt Mary Laing, brings together a range voices knowledges on the Sex Work Law: Does Law Matter? Mirroring global national sex worker campaigns, official consultations, policy wider debates over last two decades, there has been much academic interest in legal responses to work (Scoular O’Neill, 2007; 2017; Munro Della Giusta, 2008). Much this evaluated varied current work, how they impact workers’ lives, law might be reformed. There is also significant governmental comparative research looking at across jurisdictions (Armstrong Abel, 2020; Levy, 2014). takes broad, critical approach relationship between law, inspired Jane Scoular’s (2010) question: does matter work? In doing so, offers an interdisciplinary exploration complex work. addresses trends towards criminalisation often predicated upon stopping trafficking, considers these workers, their rights, working practices, marginalisation. It further examines law’s response new emerging issues, such as COVID-19 digital reflecting particularly impacts over- under- regulating spaces. finally reflects resistance – laws, expansion lack inclusion around law. Throughout issue, workers are integrated prioritised, commitment expert world.