Who says sex workers want to be "saved"?

It would be strange to romanticise sex work as something exotic or empowering. But we would also do well to go beyond puritanical rescue missions such as that proposed by Smith and Harman and acknowledge that for many, working within the sex industry is simply an economic decision. After all, for a majority of people, salary is a prime factor in determining what job we pursue. Moreover, some apparently enjoy working within the sex industry. According to Savannah, “some are proud to be sex workers and chose to do it just like others chose to become physicians and are proud of being that.”…

Advertisement

Even Jon Birch, inspector at the Metropolitan police clubs and vice unit, acknowledged at the ICA event that not all individuals employed within the sex industry have been coerced into it. He said the vice unit does not aim specifically to target migrant sex workers. Yet this seems disingenuous considering that, according to its website, the vice unit places emphasis on “rescuing trafficked and coerced victims”.

Join the conversation as a VIP Member

Trending on HotAir Videos

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement