The aim of this European report is to provide transparency about the legislation on sex work throughout Europe and its impact on the human rights of sex workers, including their access to public health services. The report assesses legislation and policy developments on sex work, migration and health policies on a national and European level and includes a critical evaluation of the various approaches relating to the interrelated issues of sex work, migration and health.

This European Mapping Report is one of the products of the TAMPEP 8 project. Sixteen years’ experience of working with sex workers across Europe and the development of a network of sex work projects currently covering 25 countries in Europe have resulted in TAMPEP establishing an extensive experience and knowledge base. Regular mapping of sex work in Europe has enabled the monitoring and reporting of changing trends within the sex industry and the living and working conditions of sex workers. Annexes to this report are separate documents within the NSWP resource listing.

The criminalisation of sex work in Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa leaves sex workers vulnerable to sexual and physical abuse, as well as extortion, from law enforcement officers such as police and border guards. Human rights violations and a lack of safe and supportive working conditions render sex workers particularly vulnerable to HIV. These are some of the findings of this report on the health and rights challenges confronted by female, male, and transgender sex workers in Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa.