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Indoor Sex Workers: Challenging The Victimhood Stereotype?

Indoor Sex Workers: Challenging The Victimhood Stereotype?. Dr Teela Sanders University of Leeds School of Sociology & Social Policy t.l.m.sanders@leeds.ac.uk. Coming to know the industry. Ten month study in 2000 – 2001 with the Safe project in Birmingham

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Indoor Sex Workers: Challenging The Victimhood Stereotype?

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  1. Indoor Sex Workers: Challenging The Victimhood Stereotype? Dr Teela Sanders University of Leeds School of Sociology & Social Policy t.l.m.sanders@leeds.ac.uk

  2. Coming to know the industry... • Ten month study in 2000 – 2001 with the Safe project in Birmingham • Challenge the negative stereotypes as the only reality What types of risks do women experience? How are these risks managed?

  3. 300 industry workers 55 interviews (45 indoor / 5 street / 5 owners) Age range 18-52 years Average working career 9 years 4/55 Class A drug use 41/55 children majority experienced more than one market Participants • Criteria for participation: • 18 years + • British citizenship • ‘Voluntary’ involvement

  4. Violence at work Domestic violence Welfare benefits Limited work chances Single parenthood Drug addiction Coercion Criminalisation - ASBOs Exclusion from the wider community Stigma - ‘double life’ Psychological distress Is the harsh reality the only story….. or is there another side?

  5. Some of the indoor sex workers…. • Economic choice / entrepreneurs • Strong female networks / business relations • Mentoring, camaraderie, trust, humour • Sexual Services as functional to society • Relationships with ‘regulars’ = not all dodgy punters Were Far From Passive Victims

  6. Regulations and Rules = • Safety - strategies to maximise profit & minimise risk • Relations with Police - allies not necessarily enemies • Manage emotions - condom as psychological barrier, - separating meaning of sex as work, - private / personal Order and Organisation

  7. Good Practice Indoors: Workplace Models • Physical organisation to promote safety • Sexual practices and expectations promotes respect, rights and choice • Independent escorts - strict rules of engagement on their terms Parlours that put the rights of women before profit & needs of clients.

  8. There is always another side…. • Highly regulated and organised • Standards, rules, etiquette • Similar to other businesses - transferring skills from mainstream jobs • Resistance, strategies, rational actions & good practice Agency, choice and diversity

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