News

Tauranga Community Base has closed permanently

Kia ora Sex Workers in the Tauranga, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Rotorua Lakes area, and Taranaki
Our Tauranga Community Base has had to close. The building owner has sold it pending demolition.
If you need supplies or to talk anything through you can contact us by phone on 027 571 0640. We can courier condoms to you for free.
Either contact our outreach worker on: [email protected] or our Auckland Community Base on: [email protected]

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HIV – what sex workers in Aotearoa New Zealand need to know

There has been a lot of news recently about the increase in the prevalence of HIV in Fiji. This has prompted many discussions in relation to the way in which the transmission of HIV can be prevented. HIV is transmitted through unprotected sex and the sharing of needles and other injecting drug equipment. And in Fiji, babies born to mothers with HIV have become infected through birth, and breast milk. Understandably, Fiji is gearing up their prevention strategies.

For example, Fiji is introducing needle exchanges which will give people who inject drugs access to clean needles and syringes and other drug using equipment to reduce the risk of HIV being transmitted.

So what about HIV in Aotearoa New Zealand?

The numbers of people living with HIV in Aotearoa is low, and many people are successfully  on treatment and are therefore unable to transmit HIV. This is because when a person is on a successful treatment plan, HIV cannot be found in their blood after a while. As a result, they cannot transmit HIV unless they stop their treatment. Undetectable viral loads means HIV is classed as untransmissible. The term for this is U=U (Undetectable equals Untransmissible). 

A person who has an undetectable virus load will not die from HIV related illnesses and will live as long as anyone else. They can also have unprotected sex without passing on HIV. Women who are living with HIV, who are on treatment, and are undetectable can give birth to healthy babies who do not have HIV. So we have come a long way in Aotearoa New Zealand, and globally. We expect Fiji to catch up with these modern prevention and treatment programmes for HIV.

Sex Workers, HIV, and Safe Sex

Sex workers in Aotearoa New Zealand have a long history of using condoms for anal, vaginal and oral sex, (and dams for oral) which is a practice that has contributed to low prevalence rates for HIV and other STIs here. 

Sex workers and clients are legally required to take all reasonable steps to use condoms and dams for anal, vaginal, and oral sex. (Please note: NZPC does not support the criminalisation of people living with HIV). 

Despite having so many progressive treatment options, it’s important to not become complacent. We know HIV may still be transmitted and passed on via unprotected condomless sex, mainly anal and vaginal sex. We also know unprotected oral sex is not considered a realistic risk for transmitting HIV but other STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and syphilis can be easily transmitted and passed on through oral sex. So, condoms and dams for oral sex are a great prevention tool as well.

Sex Workers, HIV, and Safe Injecting.

One way of preventing the transmission of HIV is to have needle exchanges. There are needle exchanges in many parts of the country. Not sharing injecting drug using equipment is an important way to prevent the transmission of HIV and Hepatitis C.

NZPC also has a needle exchange at our community base in Tamaki Makaurau Auckland. So, drop in if you need clean injecting equipment, or contact us and we can point you in the direction of an exchange near you in other places. If you are injecting peptides, you can also go to community based needle exchange services that can provide clean needles for you. Some pharmacies also provide a needle exchange, and you do not need to provide a name.

Testing and Treatment for HIV and other STIs

Where can sex workers get a test?

If you  think you have been at risk of acquiring HIV or other STIs and would like a test, you can have one at our NZPC community drop in centres in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. These are designed especially for the needs of sex workers. You can also have a test at your GP. You can even have a test sent to you if you go to www.gettestednz.org. And of course you can also contact Sexual Health Services for information and make appointments for testing.

There are also great treatment options available for people who acquire, and are living with, HIV to reduce the effects of HIV. There are effective antibiotic treatments for STIs such as syphilis, gonorrhoea, and chlamydia. It’s important to remember that people who are living with HIV and are on treatment are no longer expected to die early, and can, because of regular testing, early diagnosis, and treatment options, can expect to live as long as anyone else. 

PrEP and PEP

If you have a broken condom, you may be able to get PEP, depending on the risk factors involved. PEP stands for Post-Exposure Prophylaxis, and can prevent you from getting HIV if you have been exposed. You can get this from a doctor or nurse practitioner, as long as you qualify. You will be asked questions, including if the client or person you had sex with was HIV positive or not, to establish whether or not you qualify for PEP. Of course, with clients, there’s usually no way of knowing. Remember, for anything to do with health, there are eligibility criteria. Some sex workers may qualify for this form of treatment used to prevent HIV infection. To be effective, you need to start PEP within 72 hours of exposure to HIV; however, the earlier the better, and within 24 hours is recommended. 

You may also qualify for a form of HIV medication that is called PrEP, (PrEP stands for Pre-exposure Prophylaxis). It can prevent HIV from taking hold in your body similar to PEP. Again, there are questions, and there are criteria but these have been lifted. When introduced, it was only for gay men, now it’s for any person who is part of a key population. Sex workers are one of these key populations. The criteria are strict, so not everyone will get it, but if you are thinking about it, you can go to the NZPC Clinic nearest you for a non-judgemental appointment.

Ending HIV

Globally, people living with HIV and other key populations such as sex workers, transgender people, men who have sex with men, and people who inject drugs, have been at the forefront of campaigning for effective testing and treatment options which have massively contributed to further prevention tools to eliminate the transmission of HIV. It’s a realistic goal that one day we will be able to say that HIV is no longer being transmitted in Aotearoa New Zealand.

No, you cannot get HIV from:

• Kissing;
• Shaking hands or touching;
• Sharing utensils (knives, forks, spoons);
• Sharing cups, glasses;
• Hugging;
• Coughing, sneezing, or spitting;
• Sharing food or drink;
• Doorknobs, toilets, toilet seats, phones, and other household utensils;
• Showering with someone with the virus;
• Swimming pools and hot-tubs;
• Mosquitoes or other biting bugs;
• Dogs, cats, or other household pets;
• Tears, sweat, or urine;
• Faeces;
• Donating blood (donating equipment in Aotearoa New Zealand is used only once and is sterile before use, and all donated blood is tested for HIV so that chances of catching it from a transfusion is virtually nil, and is nil if the person donating blood was Undetectable).
• People with an undetectable viral load.

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BREAKING NEWS!!! HEALTH AND SAFETY GUIDANCE FOR SEX WORKERS OUT NOW

New health and safety guidance specific to our community is out now.
Worksafe, NZPC, and community have worked together to develop a fresh new health and safety guide for SWers and SW workplaces.

It is relevant and comprehensive.

Regardless of where or how you work, whether you are managed or independent, it will be useful!
We are incredibly grateful to all those who shared thoughts and experiences about their health and safety at work so that it is fit for purpose.
And we encourage ALL SW workplaces to be familiar with this benchmark.

You can find it here or on our resources page 

Pānui – We’re bringing back SIREN

SIREN
Sex Industry Rights and Education Network zine is returning in 2024!
If you are part of our community and want to contribute stories, top tips, art, drawing, advice, puzzles, sexual health info, poetry, anything(!) please email [email protected]

We will also be hosting ZINE MONDAYS in Auckland and Wellington (Christchurch and Tauranga TBC). Contact your local branch to get the details.

MPOX and SEX WORK

Aotearoa now has its first cases of Mpox, and here is what we need to know:
Mpox is more easily spread during sex due to skin-to-skin contact, which puts our community at higher risk of transmission.

Similar to covid, avoid close contact with people with flu-like symptoms. Also avoid close contact if someone has a rash. We advise continuing to screen clients for flu-like symptoms and also rashes, as well as recent overseas travel.

Mpox is transmitted when there is contact with lesions or scabs, through close or prolonged skin contact, contact with bedding or towels, and also in respiratory droplets. 

Symptoms may include headaches, fatigue, fever, rash or lesions or swollen glands.

If you have flu like symptoms and/or a rash or chicken pox type lesions appear – seek medical advice.

NZPC has confidential clinics for SWers in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

Call us if you have any concerns or email [email protected].

Or contact your local sexual health service, GP, or call Healthline on 0800 611 116.