Pressure is mounting on the South Australian parliament to decriminalise sex work with supporters of proposed reforms saying it will end discrimination and reduce the stigma associated with the industry.
Members of the Sex Industry Network are calling for a bill currently before the house to be passed.
It's considered to have a good chance with MPs from both the major parties recently offering support.
The network says decriminalisation is seen as a best practice model by sex workers and community-based organisations.
"Sex work is skilled labour," the network said.
"We deserve the same industrial protections as any other worker in South Australia and, currently, what sets us apart is the criminalisation of the industry within which we choose to work."
The calls for reform come ahead of International Sex Workers Day on Sunday and follows research at Flinders University into the rights and safety of sex workers.
PhD candidate Roxanna Diamond said under current laws there remained a heightened fear among sex workers with figures showing a recent increase in police raids.
"No-one can stop the sex industry," Ms Diamond said.
"It will continue to operate, so therefore it is vitally important that conditions are improved for all sex workers."
Ms Diamond said the passing of the proposed bill in SA would add to a proud legacy of SA firsts, from women's right to stand for parliament through to leading reforms that tackle various discriminations.
"If this bill gets passed, South Australia will be the first place in the world to fully decriminalise all sex work and set an important international precedent," she said.
"It is an area where SA could show political and social leadership, and reclaim the mantle of progressiveness."
