Criminalization, protection and rights: Global tensions in the governance of commercial sex

In this special issue we examine the global trends in the governance of commercial sex over the past decade and set out where this collection contributes to critical understandings of the governance of commercial sex through an analysis of the global legal, policy and policing trends. This collection of articles addresses the continued moves towards state control of sexual behaviours and sexual activities that do not fit dominant scripts for what constitutes appropriate' citizenship. The focus on the lived experience of the law, criminal justice system and policing practices for sex workers is the overarching theme of this special issue, as we contemplate the realities of the governance of sex work.