Prostitution
This page is dedicated to valuable resources, studies, research projects, survey reports, and articles on the subject of prostitution. I plan to add more content in the future, but I hope that even at this early stage, it will provide you with new information, help you better support yourself or others, and offer a greater understanding of this critical aspect of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).
“Inevitably violent? Dynamics of space, governance and stigma in understanding violence against sex workers,” Studies in Law, Politics and Society, by Teela Sanders, 2016
Radical feminists position any forms of sex work as gender violence against individuals and more broadly for all women in society. The author argues against the ideological stance that sex work is inherently violent and as a result should be outlawed, setting out how this ideology and dogma has allowed structural factors to persist which have led to inevitable violence. In this paper, she argues that despite the abdominally high levels of violence against sex workers across the globe, violence in sex work in not inevitable. Through a review of the literature as well as drawing on research from the UK, she deconstructs the myth of inevitable violence. In turn the author argues that violence is dependent on three dynamics. First, environment: spaces in which sex work happens has an intrinsic bearing on the safety of those who work there. Second, the relationship to the state: how prostitution is governed in any one jurisdiction and the treatment of violence against sex workers by the police and judicial system dictates the very organisation of the sex industry and the regulation, health and safety of the sex work communities. Thirdly, the author argues that social status and stigma have significant effects on societal attitudes towards sex workers and how they are treated. It is because of these interlocking structural, cultural, legal, and social dynamics that violence exists and therefore it is these exact dynamics that hold the solutions to preventing violence against sex workers.
“Sex Workers Too: Summary of Evidence for VAWG 2020-24 Consultation,” written by Dr. Raven Bowen, Dr. Scarlett Redman, Kerri Swindells and Tess Herrmann, February 2021
The Home Office launched a Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Consultation which sought insights on a range of experiences of violence among women and girls and men and boys. Through a public survey, focus groups and written evidence from experts, information about the scope and prevalence of harms as well as prevention and information on perpetrators were elicited, with the intent to inform the 2020-2024 VAWG strategy to tackle issues of gender-based violence in our communities. National Ugly Mugs (NUM), the English Collective of Prostitutes (ECP) and Umbrella Lane collaborated to survey sex industry workers and these findings make up the bulk of this report. They fashioned the survey on the Home Office’s call for evidence.
“Not collateral damage: Trends in violence and hate crimes experienced by sex workers in the Republic of Ireland,” by Rosie Campbell Lucy Smith, Billie Stoica, Becky Leacy, and Miriam Ryan, July 2020
The Republic of Ireland’s Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017 (2017 Act) criminalised sex purchase. Drawing on primary data from reports made by sex workers in Ireland to UglyMugs.ie, the authors analysed trends in violent and other crimes against sex workers in Republic of Ireland. Examining the four-year period 2015–2019, they highlighted the various crimes sex workers experienced, including incidents of hate crime. Analysis of UglyMugs.ie data found that crimes (including violent offences) against sex workers increased following the introduction of the new law and continued with low levels of reporting of said crimes to the police. The data suggest that the 2017 Act heightens the risks for sex workers. Here, the authors advocate an intersectional framework to provide a more nuanced understanding of how sex workers in Ireland experience violent and other hate crimes (ICRSE, 2014). The authors suggest that considering the international research evidence, the most conducive framework in which to reduce violence against sex workers is that of full decriminalisation. But, as others have pointed out, that legal reform needs to be in tandem with other policies and a refocusing of police resources on sex worker safety, better enabling reporting and access to justice.
“Invisible and stigmatized: A systematic review of mental health and risk factors among sex workers,” by Laura Martín-Romo, Francisco J. Sanmartín, and Judith Velasco, April 2023.
Sex work is a common phenomenon, but socially invisible and stigmatised. Due to exposure to work-related risks, sex workers are vulnerable to developing health problems. However, little attention has been paid to their mental health. The purpose of this systematic review was to synthesise the existing literature on mental health and to explore risk factors related to psychopathology in sex workers. This review concluded that mental health problems were prevalent among sex workers. Depression was the most common mental health problem; however, other psychological problems were also high, including anxiety, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation. Sex workers are exposed to numerous work-related risks, including violence and high-risk sexual behaviours.
“Violence against sex workers in the UK,” by Alison Phipps (University of Sussex), 2012
Introduction In the last 30 years demand for commercial sex has soared in Western countries. Sex is now a multi-billion-dollar industry, thriving alongside efforts by governments and police forces to regulate or obliterate it. This explosion of demand sits within the social and economic context of late capitalism, with its merging of public and private, extension of the service sector and commodification of experiences, including sexual ones. It also reflects a general trend for commercial specialisation, encompassing text, image and video pornography, live sex shows, strip and lap-dancing clubs, telephone and cyber-sex companies, escort agencies, independent sex workers and organised sex tourism. However, other sectors such as street prostitution remain marginal and stigmatised, with workers suffering from low wages and poor conditions. This chapter looks at violence against sex workers participating in prostitution, who engage in sexual acts with another person or persons as part of a commercial transaction.
“Written evidence submitted by Agenda.” Evidence submitted to UK Parliament Committees by Agenda, a newly formed alliance of organisations and individuals dedicated to advocating for change on behalf of women and girls at risk.
“NEVER A VICTIM – The Definitive Guide to Women’s Safety,” written by Robert Kaiser, 2024.
NEVER A VICTIM is the result of over three decades of in-depth understanding of physical and sexual violence against women. This essential resource aims to empower you to trust your innate ability to protect yourself and stay safe. Covering 512 pages and over 111,000 words, it offers proven and reliable advice. The second part of this comprehensive book provides specific guidance on various physical and sexual crimes, and countless helpful safety recommendations for anyone engaged in prostitution or other types of sex work.