Harm reduction

SEX WORK

Médecins du Monde works with other associations to ensure that health policies address the specific needs of sex workers, with an approach based on harm reduction. We are fighting against the criminalisation of sex work and for increased support to community health organisations, which are in the best position to address the needs.

Our work

Our programmes in Paris, Rouen and Montpellier promote sex workers’ access to health and rights through outreach, reception and support activities. We also run a nationwide programme to combat the violence to which their work exposes them.

Key figures

In 2020, 120 volunteers worked on our programmes. They established more than 12,600 contacts and offered support to nearly 1,300 people – despite the COVID-19 epidemic.

Our challenges

In response to the growing vulnerability of sex workers and the rise in violence seen on the ground, MdM is advocating in favour of:

— guaranteed effective access to health and rights and continuing harm reduction measures;

— improvements to the range of support and protection measures available to victims of violence;

— involving sex workers in the drafting, implementation and assessment of health policies that concern them;

— the repeal of the pathway for exiting prostitution as defined in the French law of 13/04/2016 to promote genuine measures enabling those wishing to find other income-generating activities to do so;

— the repeal of the criminalisation of clients and the decriminalisation of sex work. DRUG USE

Despite the fact that harm reduction was incorporated into law in 2004, Médecins du Monde’s actions are still impeded by the limits of the legal framework (prohibition and criminalisation of use). This repression considerably hinders the impact of healthcare policy and heightens the stigmatisation of people who use drugs. Médecins du Monde is advocating in favour of drug policies focused on human rights and public health.

Our work

Médecins du Monde continued to work on the transfer of the “XBT” programme that is developing a generalised drug testing service as a harm reduction measure in collaboration with 50 partners.

Our challenges

In 2020, Médecins du Monde worked to ensure effective access to harm reduction measures and tools despite the COVID-19 epidemic.

The year was also marked by the fiftieth anniversary of the law criminalising drug use in France and generalising the payment of a fixed-rate fine for drug use. The Collectif pour une nouvelle politique des drogues (Collective for a New Drug Policy), comprising more than twenty associations, was strengthened and carried out a number of advocacy actions warning of the ineffectiveness and harm caused by this repressive approach.