Sex Work and COVID-19 in the New Zealand Media
Avoid the Moist Breath Zone
By Gwyn Easterbrook-Smith
Published
Jun 13, 2023Page count
162 pagesISBN
978-1529230345Dimensions
203 x 127 mmImprint
Bristol University PressPublished
Jun 13, 2023Page count
162 pagesISBN
978-1529230352Dimensions
203 x 127 mmImprint
Bristol University PressPublished
Jun 13, 2023Page count
162 pagesISBN
978-1529230352Dimensions
203 x 127 mmImprint
Bristol University Press
Sex Work and COVID-19 in the New Zealand Media
New Zealand’s relatively recent decriminalisation of sex work and its unusual success in combatting COVID-19 have both attracted international media interest. This accessibly written book uses the lens of news media coverage to consider the pandemic’s impacts on both sex workers and public perceptions of the industry.
Analysing the stigmatisation of sex work in both short- and long-term contexts, the book addresses the impacts of intersectional oppressions or marginalisations on sex workers, and the ways sex work advocacy relates to other social justice movements. It unpicks how New Zealand’s decriminalisation approach functions under stress, offering valuable information for advocates, activists and scholars.
“A fascinating account of how decriminalisation matters for sex workers in a pandemic as seen through an analysis of media reporting.” Gillian Abel, University of Otago
“A novel and insightful account into the status sex workers are afforded in the unique decriminalised context at a time of crisis. A must-read for anyone interested in the rights of sex workers, and how they are represented in the media.” Lynzi Armstrong, Victoria University of Wellington
"While stigma continues to shape media discourse around sex work, even in the decriminalised New Zealand setting, in this book Easterbrook-Smith carefully unpacks how stigmatising discourses are unevenly applied and how these discourses were resisted and negotiated by sex workers and advocacy organisations during the COVID-19 crisis." Fairleigh Gilmour, University of Otago
Gwyn Easterbrook-Smith is a researcher based in Aotearoa New Zealand. They have most recently taught in the School of Humanities, Media and Creative Communication at Massey University, Wellington.
1. Introduction
2. Sex Work and COVID-19 in 2020
3. Sex Work and COVID-19 in 2021
4. Implications and Developments
5. Conclusion
