De-stigmatizing sex work: Building knowledge for social work

Abstract

This qualitative study illuminates a controversial perspective of sex work arguing that it should be treated as a legitimate occupation. The article draws on a series of interviews with sex workers, social workers and experts working in areas of support for sex workers in Sydney, New South Wales. Sex workers, social workers and experts’ perception is that sex work was perceived as empowering for sex workers. Contrary to the common images of sex workers as drug users, victims of violence or glamorous women, most of the sex workers in this study did not fit any of the common stereotypes. Sex workers also preferred to obtain support from other sex workers rather than more ‘powerful’ professionals. These findings have implications for social work and appear to demand greater support for opportunities for sex workers to have peer-to-peer interactions and support and understanding from professionals to provide them optimal support if they wanted to remain in the sex industry.