What legal reform and other measures, would decrease HIV incidence among sex workers?

Abstract

By using a qualitative method of research, this research study answers this question: What legal reform and other measures, would decrease the HIV incidence among sex workers? This research project starts by acknowledging that the right to health should apply indiscriminately to all, including sex workers. Given that sex workers are exposed to an increased risk of contracting HIV, an ulterior barrier is created by a criminalised legal framework which is adopted in the Maltese legal system. By referring to decriminalised and partially decriminalised legal policies which are adopted in New Zealand and Sweden respectively, the research question will be answered through findings which suggest what legal reform and other measures should be implemented to attract sex workers to take advantage of HIV prevention programmes and to monitor and diminish the incidence of HIV among such a vulnerable group.