Sex work is the oldest profession in the world – an estimated 80,000 people operating in the UK, not including those in digital and online activity. The genuine number however may never be known due to the stigma of the job that persists even in a sex-positive culture.
Recent years have seen a growing sense of empowerment for many in the industry while others have suffered from abuse and exploitation.
This is shown in the often polarising debate that talks in extremes, with the spectrum and complexities of the lived experience for many women ignored.
But this spotlight investigation aims to educate, open discussions and inform on the realities of sex work.
Throughout the course of this investigation, keep an eye out for:
- A photographer speaking about her “eye-opening” project on City Sauna, a mother and daughter run brothel in Sheffield.
- An expert in violence against women explaining why sex workers are 18 times more likely to be murdered than the rest of the female population.
- The English Collective of Prostitutes’ report on the prostitute’s caution, which highlights how current UK law traps sex workers into cycles of poverty and exclusion.
- A digital sex worker giving a candid look into the reality of online sex work, challenging misconceptions whilst shedding light on the rewards and dangers of the industry.
- A volunteer opening up about the reality of street sex work in Sheffield, and the medical negligence women often experience as a result of their profession.
- A 24-year-old high-class escort who makes £4,000 a month servicing older men to fund her dream of becoming an actress.
Let’s ask, how do we honour the women working in this age-old industry without romanticising exploitation?
