Resourcing Health & Education

This is a service for the sex industry in Victoria. The service operates from 10 Inkerman Street, and provides site based and outreach services five days per week. It is committed to respecting and reflecting the needs of the sex industry, and actively promoting the rights of sex workers

RhED operates from a harm minimisation approach providing practical and realistic information about safer sex. It aims to provide a service that recognises that health is not only a physical dimension but includes a person’s emotional and social wellbeing. The focus is on providing relevant health information to assist people make lifestyle choices with the information they need and support from the RhED program staff.

The program aims:

• To provide health, education, support and advocacy services for sex industry workers
• To share understanding and knowledge of safe sex practices through the promotion of positive health and well being strategies
• To be inclusive of sex worker views and experience through peer based mechanisms
• To participate at a national level to promote solidarity amongst workers in the sex industry

RhED works with:

• Sex workers (female, male and transgender) at brothels, escort agencies, in private situations, on the streets, and in other illegal situations
• Commercial and private partners of those associated with the sex industry

Services available through RhED:

• Free confidential telephone, drop-in and outreach services
• Support and debriefing
• Counselling by appointment
• Information, referral and advocacy
• Sexual health screening, allied health services and health information
• Education about sexually transmissible infections, HIV and blood borne viruses to individuals and groups within the community
• Development and distribution of educational resources
• Supplies of needles and syringes, condoms and lube
• OH&S education and support
• Ugly Mugs Reports and distribution to street, brothel and escort workers
• RED – sex industry magazine
• Provision of interpreter services and translated educational materials