The recent police action targeting OnlyFans model Cinque Mingma Angel Crimson Brothers, 24, over the alleged use of a CBD apartment for sex work represents a condemnable and outdated approach to consensual adult activity. This case highlights the urgent need to decriminalize sex work and stop the unjust harassment of individuals exercising agency over their own bodies and livelihoods.
Crimson Brothers appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on Wednesday, facing charges that criminalize her work, specifically:
It is alleged that the Adelaide Terrace apartment was used for sex work over a month in July and August. The decision to allocate significant police resources to investigate and prosecute a consensual service provided by an adult, while actual crimes remain unaddressed, is a misallocation of public funds and a moral failure.
The Hypocrisy of "Unlawful Possession"
Police further escalated the case by searching a residence in Nedlands, where they allegedly found cash ($35,000 AUD and foreign currency), mobile phones, drugs, and pepper spray, leading to the unlawful possession charge.
The seizure of cash from a successful independent sex worker who charges customers $10 a month for her content, and whose services are in demand, should be seen as evidence of legitimate, hard-earned income, not as a component of criminality. The presence of pepper spray underscores the very real dangers faced by sex workers, who often carry self-defense tools due to the lack of legal protections and the risk of violence.
A Focus on Harassment, Not Justice
Crimson Brothers, who maintains a significant online presence as "Blair Banks" on OnlyFans and other platforms, appeared in court represented by high-profile defence lawyer Luka Maragetic. Maragetic has signaled intentions for a potential negotiation, hoping to resolve the matter at the next appearance.
This ongoing legal battle is a tax on the life and finances of an individual for engaging in work that should be treated as legitimate. The charges are a direct reflection of antiquated laws that perpetuate stigma and endanger sex workers by forcing them into the shadows.
This prosecution is an attack on the fundamental right to earn a living safely and consensually. The Perth police and the Australian legal system must recognize that sex work is work. The focus should be on protecting the rights and safety of sex workers, not on criminalizing their existence and using their income and self-defense measures as grounds for further punishment.