sex work

A sex worker is a person who works in the sex industry, specifically, a person who commercially trades in sex or sexual stimulation.^[1][2] The term is usually used in reference to those in the sex industry that actually provide such sexual services, as opposed to management and staff of such industries. Some sex workers are paid to engage in sexually explicit behavior which involve varying degrees of physical contact with clients (prostitutes, escorts, dominatrices); pornography models and actors engage in sexually explicit behavior which are filmed or photographed. Phone sex operators have sexually-oriented conversations with clients. Other sex workers are paid to engage in live sexual performance, such as web cam sex and phone sex^[3] and performers in live sex shows. Some sex workers perform erotic dances and other acts for an audience (striptease, Go-Go dancing, burlesque, peep shows).

Although the term is sometimes viewed as a synonym or euphemism for prostitution, the term is meant as a general term for erotic labor in any of the different parts of the sex industry, hence, strippers and performers in pornography (who generally do not define themselves as prostitutes) are also considered sex workers.

History of the concept

The term "sex worker" was coined in 1980 by sex worker activist Carol Leigh. Its use became popularized after publication of the anthology, Sex Work: Writings By Women In The Sex Industry in 1987.^[4][5][6] The term "sex worker" has since spread into much wider use, including in academic publications, by NGOs and labor unions, and by governmental and intergovernmental agencies, such as the World Health Organization.^{[citation needed]} The term is listed in the Oxford English Dictionary^[1] and Merriam-Webster's Dictionary.^[7]

The term is strongly opposed, however, by many who are morally opposed to the sex industry, such as social conservatives, anti-prostitution feminists, and other prostitution abolitionists. Such groups view prostitution variously as a crime or as victimization, and see the term "sex work" as legitimizing criminal activity or exploitation as a type of labor.^[8][9] In the view of Melissa Farley and other anti-prostitution feminists, all forms of sex work, including stripping and performing in pornography, are simply different types of prostitution.^{[citation needed]} Some anti-prostitution feminists, such as Sheila Jeffreys, prefer the term prostituted woman (and analogous terms such as "prostituted child") to emphasize the victimization they see as inherent in such activity.^{[citation needed]}

Legality and social views

Depending on regional law, sex workers' activities may be regulated, controlled, tolerated, or prohibited. In most countries, even those where sex work is legal, sex workers are stigmatized and marginalized, which can prevent them from seeking legal redress for discrimination (e.g., racial discrimination by a strip club owner), non-payment by a client, assault or rape. Social inequality and poverty are often seen the driving forces. ^[10][11]

Advocacy

Sex worker's rights advocates argue that sex workers should have the same basic human and labour rights as other working people.^[12] For example, the Canadian Guild for Erotic Labour calls for the legalization of sex work, the elimination of state regulations that are more repressive than those imposed on other workers and businesses, the right to recognition and protection under labour and employment laws, the right to form and join professional associations or unions, and the right to legally cross borders to work.

Also, the legalization of sex work would allow it to be carried out in better organized circumstances (e.g., legal brothels), where regulations (e.g., requiring condom use and regular health checkups for sex workers) could reduce the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.^[13]

Further reading

• Weitzer, Ronald. 1991. "Prostitutes' Rights in the United States," Sociological Quarterly, v. 32, no.1, pages 23–41.
• Weitzer, Ronald. 2000. Sex For Sale: Prostitution, Pornography, and the Sex Industry (New York: Routledge Press).
• Weitzer, Ronald. 2009. "Sociology of Sex Work," Annual Review of Sociology, v. 35
• "Decriminalize sex trade: Vancouver report", CBC.ca, June 13, 2006
• "Sex Sells So Tells The Truth Vendor," an extensive interview with a former sex worker
• Agustín, Laura Maria. Sex at the Margins. London: Zed Books (2007).
• International Human Rights Protection in the Citizenship Gap: The Case of Migrant Sex Workers

References

External links

• Sex Work at the Open Directory Project

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Advocacy

International

• Network of Sex Work Projects (International)
• International Sex Worker Foundation for Art, Culture and Education
• International Union of Sex Workers
• SexualEmpowerment.com

Africa

• Sex Worker Education And Advocacy Taskforce (South Africa)

Australia

• Scarlet Alliance - Australian Sex Workers Association
• Sex Workers Outreach Project - NSW Australia
• Scarlet Men - initiative of the Scarlet Alliance
• Magenta - Sex worker support projects - Western Australia
• South Australian Sex Industry Network
• Resourcing Health & Education - Victoria

Europe

• International Committee on the Rights of Sex Workers in Europe
• UK laws regarding prostitution updated for 2006
• Information for sexworkers in german language

North America

• History of Sex Work in Vancouver (downloadable PDF book written by sex workers)
• Commercial Sex Information Service (CSIS) (Canada)
• Sex Workers Project legal services based in New York City
• Sex Workers Outreach Project USA (SWOP-USA (USA)
• COYOTE - Call Off Your Old Tired Ethics (USA/North America)
• St. James Infirmary - San Francisco: The first occupational safety and health clinic for sex workers run by and for sex workers
• SWANK (Sex Workers Action New York), New York, NY, USA
• Bay Area Sex Worker Advocacy Network-Prostitutes Education Network (San Francisco, CA USA)

Anti-prostitution groups

• Coalition Against Trafficking in Women
• Prostitution Research and Education, (also see Farley, Melissa)