Sex work is criminalized mostly by banning the sale of sexual services and legislation prohibiting sex solicitation, sex work earnings, brothel-keeping, or the procurement of sexual services. Moreover, because of laws that criminalize same-sex sexual relations, many male and transgender sex workers face harassment, prosecution, and violence.

For non-criminal offenses such as loitering, vagrancy, and hindering traffic flow, sex workers are most often penalized. By restricting the freedom of sex workers to negotiate the use of contraceptives with clients, accessing public services such as health care, and promoting and protesting for their rights, criminalization increases the vulnerability of sex workers to abuse, extortion, and health risks.

Decriminalization of Prostitution refers to the abolition of all criminal and administrative sex work restrictions and penalties, including laws against clients and owners of brothels. It varies from legalization, which is a legislative framework defined by major regulations—many of which can restrict rights and protections, establish authorities abuse systems, and other adverse effects on sex workers.