NSW Department of Disability, Ageing and Home Care - Sex Worker and Sex Aids policy for service providers (to people with disability)
This policy now applies to the disability services provided by the Department of Disability, Ageing and Home Care following the formation of the department in April 2001.The policy statement is in line with the Principles of the NSW Disability Services Act (1993), and the application of the Act.
The requirements for service providers to provide a full range of assistance to people with disability are clearly laid out in the following extract.
11. SEXWORKERS AND SEX AIDS
1. A consumer's choice and right to use a sex worker or sex aids is to respected and treated with confidentiality by staff members.
2. The employment of sex workers is to be closely matched to meeting a consumer's sexual needs. Sex workers are to be considered as only one of a range of options in meeting the sexual needs of a consumer and should not be the first strategy for meeting a consumer's need for intimacy.
3. The employment of a sex worker is not an appropriate strategy for meeting a consumer's identified need for developing friendships.
4. It is not legal to place an advertisement for a sex worker.
5. Staff roles and responsibilities do not extend to providing physical
assistance with masturbation and sexual positioning. Visual aids and appropriate
resources are available to assist staff members to address these issues
according to the needs of the consumer and should be incorporated in the
Individual Plan. (See 13. resource and Support Services. Department Of Community
Services - Policies for Working with People with Disabilities Version 2
Oct 1996 6.25 - 11).