Our joint submission with Respect Inc responds to the Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council’s Ripple Effect consultation paper on sentencing for sexual assault and rape. Drawing on cases supported by Respect Inc, we show how good character references, plea deals and court delays tell sex workers our word counts for less, making us less likely to report sexual violence.

We recommend non-contact orders protecting sex workers from repeat offenders, informing and consulting survivors on sentencing and plea deals, considering temporary visa holders’ needs when cases are delayed, use of pseudonyms, and restorative justice mechanisms where survivors agree to this.