Understanding Sex Work & Supporting Individuals Involved in the Sex Trade Cassandra Avenatti, MSW Executive Board Member, Sex Workers Outreach Project-Chicago
Introduction to SWOP-Chicago Activity: Values Clarification Survey Introduction to sex work sex work 101 Types of sex work, terminology, who is considered a sex worker and what types of issues sex workers face Clarifying assumptions and myths about the sex trade The criminalization of sex work & the effect on sex workers Guidelines for working effectively with individuals involved in the sex trade The Sex Worker Rights Movement Questions & Discussion!
Increase awareness of our personal values /biases regarding the sex trade and sex workers Increase understanding of the sex trade and dispel myths regarding sex work Distinguish between trafficking and consensual sex work Address the criminalization of sex work and the ways criminalization affects sex workers Introduce and discuss effective practices for working with individuals involved in the sex trade Facilitate discussion & encourage questions related to working effectively with sex workers
SWOP-Chicago is a grassroots organization dedicated to improving the lives of current and former sex workers in the Chicago area, on and off of the job.
For Workers Swop Hotline The PROS Network Chicago Trainings (taxes and budgeting, selfdefense, self-care etc) Legal Advocacy Community-Building & Peer Support Online resources For Service Providers Professional Training Online resources (handouts, video) Membership in The PROS Network Chicago
What are your responses to the survey? Did it make you think differently about sex trade work? How so? Feedback: Questions & Discussion
Sex work is a commercial exchange of a sexual service for money or other benefits like housing, drugs, transportation or other survival needs. This term is used to refer to a broad range of transactions and sex workers are not a homogenous group.
Types of workers: Escorts, exotic dancers, dominatrices, phone sex operators, sensual massage professionals, actors in adult films, etc Types of work: Indoor, Outdoor, Brothel or Agency, Independent The sex trade is a large and complex industry: There are many levels of sex work that involve different boundaries, agreements, promotion and services. Legality: There are varying levels of legality within the sex trade, and different types of workers experience different challenges and have unique needs.
Independent workers create their own marketing, use paid ad malls, dating websites, and client review boards, to find clients. Independent workers may screen clients themselves, or they may hire a booker or assistant. There is an indoor and an outdoor (or street) market for prostitution. Street prostitution accounts for 15-20% of sex work in larger cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York, in some smaller cities, it may account for 50%. Street-based sex workers typically work a stroll and often in pairs or groups. The internet is a source for employment and community for sex workers. Others work for agencies (or pimps) massage parlors, strip clubs, dungeons, and so on, which recruit and screen clients.
There are a few primary paths that lead folks to sex work: o Circumstance o Choice o Coercion These statuses can change, and often do for sex workers. There are significant financial and personal benefits to being engaged in sex work, that many individuals wouldn t otherwise have.
Sex work is not inherently oppressive and sex workers necessarily victims. Many sex workers feel empowered and enjoy their work. Individuals enter the sex trade from myriad socioeconomic, educational and racial/ethnic backgrounds and do so for many different reasons. Sex workers are not all survivors of childhood abuse or sexual violence. Not all individuals who engage in work in the sex trade identify as sex workers.
Much of the violence that sex workers, particularly street-based workers, experience is perpetrated by institutions and helping professionals (YWEP Study, 2012) Sex workers do not necessarily abuse substances. Pimps and management are not necessarily exploitative or violent. Sex work are trafficking are not the same, though they are frequently conflated.
Trafficking: Involves coercive methods & climate of fear Wages withheld, identification often taken, violence used to control Often involves transporting individuals from their home to another country or region. Though it receives the bulk of media attention, sex trafficking is only one type of human trafficking. Consensual Adult Sex Work: Involves a commercial exchange of sexual services for compensation Is entered into voluntarily Can be exited voluntarily (though it can be challenging)
Sex work is criminalized in the US, and sex workers are targeted by law enforcement. Sex workers who are people of color, and who are trans* and gender non-conforming experience increased targeting, violence and incarceration. There has been a great deal of media attention paid to trafficking cases, and an increase in anti-laws in Illinois. Some aspects of anti-trafficking laws are harmful to consenting sex workers and this legislation (and the End Demand movement) often misunderstands the nature of demand. Individuals that are arrested are mandated into diversion programs, and once incarcerated, forced to attend Prostitutes Anonymous.
Institutional and interpersonal violence against sex workers with no accountability for perpetrators A study found that prostitution is the most dangerous profession for (cis) women in the United States in terms of homicide. (not including rape) Stigma, criminalization and isolation can lead to internalized shame which increases the likelihood of making sex workers making risky decisions. Sex workers often decide not to report rape and other violence A message is consistently sent to workers that their lives and safety do not matter. In the news: Recent Texas case: acquittal of an individual that murdered a sex worker
Decriminalization Law enforcement does not target sex workers or clients Allows sex workers to conduct their business without negative legal consequences Most SWR orgs support decriminalization Doesn t address larger issues of racism, sexism transphobia, poverty Legalization Sex work regulated by the government Sex workers required to register Exploitation still possible Doesn t address larger issues of racism, sexism transphobia, poverty In many states/countries, prostitution has limited legal status: Examples: Australia, Nevada
Internalized stigma and shame, isolation, worker burn-out Relationship challenges related to the individual s sex worker status Anxiety related to real & perceived occupational risks (arrest, violence, STIs, being outed ) Trauma as a result of physical and sexual violence and other crime (robbery) Stress related to unpredictable income, navigating boundaries and structuring day-to-day work and home life. Lack of access to physical & mental health care
Exchanging sexual behavior for money is not necessarily the result of a mental illness or, in the absence of contextual factors, the cause of mental illness. Risks vary across types of sex work, and workers can decrease the risks of their work. Don t make assumptions about individual risk factors. Keep intersectionality in mind. Experiences within sex work are informed by complicated, interrelated systems of identity attributes and experiences. Subjective and objective experiences as a sex worker vary tremendously between individuals and
Allow sex work clients to set goals. Sex trade work may not be an important part of sex worker s lives, & may not be the issue they want to discuss in therapy. Be aware of stigma-neutralization techniques sex workerclients use, and be careful to avoid statements, questions or recommendations which may undermine these techniques, unless they are causing obvious and serious harm to the worker. Understand the pervasive impact of stigma on self-concept, conceptualization of work, relationships, etc. and discuss the impact of stigma directly, when appropriate. Be aware of how stigma relates to language sensitivity, and
Learn about the biases and approaches of other referral agencies. If no non-judgmental resources are available, warn the client of the agency s approach and allow them to make their own decision about utilizing that resource. In supporting an individual who expresses desire to leave the sex trade, be aware of barriers to exit, and understand exit as a process. Reflect on how your personal attitudes and knowledge about sex work may impact assessment
Helping sex workers maintain confidence, relationships, physical and mental health, and explore other interests helps sex workers while still in the trade, and ultimately makes it easier to transition out of the sex trade. Exiting the sex trade is most often a process, not an instant change. Therapists should allow workers to set their own goals around exit and allow clients to reassess goals over time. Therapists and case workers should offer tangible resources & information to individuals who express desire to leave the sex trade.
Income: Generally, a more planned, gradual transition which addresses career development and financial planning, and that may include a concept of "open retirement," is necessary/useful for sex workers attempting to generate surplus income for their transition. Employment counseling and training: Many workers have gaps in their resumes, or no CV at all, and need support in creating professional materials and gaining skills and training. For Survival Sex Workers/ Street Workers: There may be additional needs such as housing, healthcare and substance use treatment.
Sex workers are (and have been) organizing around the globe for basic rights and autonomy. International sex worker movements have experienced success achieving decriminalization and some have even created labor unions. Sex workers are building community and healing themselves and each other by
Visit: www.swop-chicago.org for current news, videos and resources. The PROS Network Chicago is a resource for workers and providers: www.porsnetworkchicago.org. Check out the Red Umbrella Project www.redumbrellaproject.org for Sex Worker stories. St. James Infirmary is an amazing clinic run by and for Sex Workers. Check them out for resources and a great model for care: http://stjamesinfirmary.org/ Feel free to e-mail additional questions or to get involved at: Cassandra@swop-chicago.org