CARNAL NATION

L'Express reports that a number of sex worker advocacy groups in France have merged to form the Syndicat du travail sexuel or Strass [Sex Work Union] in a renewed effort to fight for the rights, health, and safety of the nation's sex workers. The Union was announced at the close of the third annual Prostitution Conference held last week in Paris. Mistress Nikita, a key figure in the movement for sex workers' rights, commented, "[We are also capable of being political agents. With this Union, we want to put pressure on institutions and politicians, to fight against the convictions that victimize us, and to change the law.]"

The main target of Strass will be the Domestic Security Act of 2003, specifically its newly defined offense known as "passive solicitation" (le racolage passif). The Domestic Security Act expanded the definition of the crime of soliciting sex for money by including passive solicitation, which could be broadly defined by police and applied to such activities as loitering or even failing to discourage solicitation. The crime is punishable by imprisonment for 2 months and a fine of up to 3,750 Euros (approx. U.S. $5,000). Sex worker advocates say the expanded law puts sex workers in danger. Strass also hopes to be an advocate for the health and safety of sex workers by openly discussing the risks of contracting HIV and the need for condom distribution. The challenge for Strass will be to gain enough legitimacy to make its voice heard and to advance its agenda.