Introduction
Historically, sex workers’ voices and perspectives have been left out of the scholarship related to sex work, which has resulted in victimization and pathologizing narratives around sex work. We conducted 29 semi-structured interviews with self-identified sex workers across the United States to help address this perspective gap in the literature by talking with sex workers about what they want helping professionals to know about sex work.
Study Overview
The first key finding was that sex workers want helping professionals to know that sex work is a diverse trade. Diversity is seen across sex workers identities as sex workers and as individuals outside of their job. The second key finding is that sex workers’ work is work. Participants shared that being a sex worker is like working any other job, it is like running a small business, and that they currently or have previously used sex work to supplement their income from other jobs they hold. Finally, the last key finding is that sex workers demand respect and acceptance from helping professionals (i.e., doctors, nurses, therapists, psychologists, and social workers). Participants shared experiences of being questioned, criticized, and stigmatized by helping professionals when they do disclose their profession. Oftentimes, this resulted in the participants choosing not to share what they do for their job which ultimtely impacts the quality of care they receive.
Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the helping professional to educate themselves on how to provide ethical and informed care and create an environment where sex workers feel safe and respected. Overall, this research advocates for sex workers’ rights to respect and dignity. In line with the core tenet of social work, which emphasizes respect for the inherent dignity and worth of all individuals, the findings of this study provide evidence supporting the connection between human rights and social work. This includes the understanding that upholding sex workers’ dignity, worth, and right to self-determination is crucial.
For more information and full access to the article, visit: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01488376.2024.2426468
