Jenna Lubsen
Sex work has almost always carried heavily negative connotations and stigma, despite the evident demand and consumption of the services and products offered by sex workers. Why be so ashamed of something that has proven to be so popular? We can deduce that this shame stems from the shame and taboo ideations associated with sex in general, but as this is an entirely different and frankly large can of worms we'll have to get into that another time. This sex shame does not change that fact that sex work has survived for hundreds, even thousands of years, alongside shameful misconceptions surrounding sex. The persisting existence of sex work is evidence itself that it hold some form of importance in society and thus why stigma and sex work laws only contribute to danger and risk endured by sex workers.
Sex work, although it has not always been this way, it an illegal practice in Canada, the United States and a majority of the worlds nations, excluding the Netherlands of course. Making any act or substance illegal immediately increases the risk associated with that activity or substance. This makes it extremely frightening to seek medical or any other kind of formal help when encountering danger or risk. This is especially true for sex work. There are endless different forms of sex work but for the purposes of this discussion we will be focusing on prostitution and escorting. This form of sex work can come with risks such as contraction of sexually transmitted infections, abuse, manipulation, sexual assault and coercion, and sadly many more. If someone not participating in sex work contracts an STI then they go to the emergency room or clinic, receive a diagnosis, receive treatment and medication and that is the end of it, no serious legally or correctional consequences. For someone engaging in sex work the act of going to a clinic can be scary in itself, if the wrong person were to learn what kind of work they are in, there could be potential formal charges.
The risk factors for reporting assault and abuse is even greater. Having to go to the police is also considered to be too large a risk, even if that means continuing to put oneself and peers at risk. This is especially true for those working in what is commonly referred to as 'low end' sex work. Higher end sex work such as escorting usually comes with a higher degree of security. Unfortunately not everyone has access to the people who can get them this kind of work. Most people working as prostitutes have themselves and families to feed and support, so the prospect of getting arrested or charged puts not only themselves at risk but their families as well. Not being able to safely report sexual, physical or other forms of abuse arguably makes the world a more dangerous place for everyone. Having dangerous people who, for reasons unknown, feel it is appropriate to hurt and abuse others living free is never an ideal world. Someones field of work should never be a reason not receive adequate societal support when in trouble.
If we look at the worlds most popular example of legalized sex work, the Netherlands, there are numerous patterns that speak to the benefits of legalizing sex work. Not only is the rate of STI contraction much lower, due to increased access to safe sex products and having the power to insist clients use them, there are fewer cases of sexual assault and when it does take place sex workers do not need to be afraid to report it. Just these two examples should be more than enough evidence to at the least consider the potential benefits and increased quality of life for sex workers that come with the legalization of their field. Even if you still disagree with this analysis, it is very clear to everyone that sex work, particularly prostitution and escorting is still prominent despite it being illegal, it is just driven underground. Having anything operate underground immediately makes it more dangerous. This has been seen through the buying and selling of marijuana illegally when cases of ketamine overdose and lacing rose dramatically. The government of Canada, many of the states and the Netherlands followed to logical course of events and regulated the consumption and selling of marijuana and since then these deaths from laced goods has dropped, if not disappeared.
Why can't the same be done for sex work? Why does sex still carry this looming stigma? Why are we so unwilling to protect sex workers? Why do these people, who really work so hard, receive a lower quality of life? These are all questions we need to be asking ourselves, and I encourage everyone reading this to do so.
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