In New Zealand, they removed all of the criminal penalties associated with adult sex work. The sex industry is still regulated by their public health. Public health is a federal department in New Zealand, so it has a bit of a different legislative model from what we have in Canada.
Sex workers can work independently, for themselves, or they can choose to work in sex-based businesses, such as brothels. There are occupational health and safety regulations that they abide by, and they have access to employment and labour law.
In one situation, a sex worker who was being sexually harassed at the brothel she worked at, by someone else who worked there, won a large award because she sued for it.
They have far more rights, and they also feel more free to call the police if they need to, if they're in trouble.