Media Toolkit
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I spot traffickers?
- There is no definitive way to spot traffickers or determine common characteristics nor are there universally recognizable characteristics of traffickers
Are sex workers brainwashed/desensitized to violence?
- Myths and stereotypes contribute to perceptions that sex workers expect violence in our work. Like any other career sex workers have the right to be protected and have safe working conditions. Violence that occurs within sex work is a product of myths, criminalization, and stigma.
What is sex work (include defining diverse types of sex work)
- “Sex worker” is a term used to refer to adults who exchange sexual services for money which necessarily, but not exclusively, includes direct physical sexual contact with clients. Included in this term are those who engage in outdoor street-level sex work, as well as those who work indoors. The latter includes escorts, erotic masseurs, exotic dancers, BDSM practitioners – this term is an acronym that stands for bondage and discipline, dominance and submission, and sadomasochism or sadism and masochism.
What to do when you believe someone is being groomed?
- Grooming can take many forms and occurs everywhere. If you believe someone working in sex work is being groomed, reach out to a sex worker-led organization. At Peers, reach out to the Violence Prevention team: lead@peers.bc.ca or call/text either 250–744-7690 OR 250–217-5937
Why do folks choose to do sex work?
- Like any other job, there are many reasons why someone chooses to work in sex work: flexibility, survival, accessibility, socioeconomic positioning.
How can I support sex workers?
- Nothing about us without us; Allow sex workers to be the center of educating and providing knowledge about sex work. Take the time to learn more about how to be an ally and not take on a saviour complex. Do not be judgmental or out sex workers to maintain their confidentiality and safety. Be aware of what biases and knowledge you hold about sex work.
How sex work experiences differ for racialized and Indigenous sex workers?
- Due to the intersections of race, class and gender the experiences across sex work will be different for everyone. For racialized folks who experience systemic and institutionalized racism they may experience more marginalization and violence.
What increases safety for sex work?
- Providing equal rights and protection like any other employment occupation. Decriminalizing sex work to increase better protections for sex workers to screen their dates without fear of legal repercussions.
- Creating peer-based supports for sex workers and violence prevention strategies that are for and led by sex workers. By building strong communities and support networks that only involve police when necessary and requested by the sex worker.
Assumptions
Traffickers sell sex workers to other people/gangs in other countries
- This is a misconstrue of assuming sex work and trafficking are the same thing. Reflecting on what you know to be trafficking whether that is through media, stories, movies etc. This picture depicts bad guys praying on women and girls that need to be saved by law enforcement. The reality of trafficking is that it can occur locally, within domestic partnerships and look drastically different than the existing stereotypes.
Conflating sex trafficking and human trafficking
- Learn the difference between sex work and trafficking. These conflations between sex work and trafficking depict an inaccurate perception of both perspectives that leave the wrong takeaway. By describing sex work and trafficking as a homogenized issue it fails to recognize the complexities and realities of sex work. Specifically for immigrant and migrant sex workers that happen to have the most conflation. Which fuels more moral panic that drives anti-trafficking campaigns creating laws and policies that continue to harm sex workers.
- Youth sexual exploitation and young folks in the sex trade are also highly conflated as much of the information and prevalence of it, is hard to track. With youth sexual exploitation it can happen in so many ways, so it is hard to provide an accurate depiction.
Referring to sex work as a high-risk lifestyle
- Rather than using this narrative that sex work is elevated risk reflect on the lack of protection measures put in place for sex workers safety. Criminalization, lack of supports, discrimination, racism, sexism, colonialism, transphobia etc, are risk factors that place sex workers in further harm rather than sex work itself. Labeling sex work as substantial risk places the blame and responsibility on sex workers rather than government putting in policies to protect them.
- Using the term lifestyle is problematic in many ways. Society does not label an occupation as the lifestyle of their career such as the lifestyle of a teacher. However, sex workers are constantly being labeled this way. This is a reminder that sex work is work and it is a job like anything else not a lifestyle.
Isn’t sex work inherently violent?
- No, sex work is not inherently violent and people who purchase sex are not dangerous people. Sex work being highly stigmatized and aspects of it being illegal drives it underground. It has high levels of secrecy and people often feel like they cannot freely talk about it. Therefore, dangerous, and violent people looking for easy targets will look at sex workers for these reasons. Knowing it is much harder for sex workers to report if they have been assaulted.
The spectrum of consent (debunking what consent means for each person)
- Consent can be given and taken at any point. Sex workers may consent to certain sexual acts but the assumption that sex workers are consenting to all sex services is inaccurate and harmful. Everyone has their own boundaries and working in sex work does not disregard that.
- The image below created by Living in Community is an excellent example of the spectrum of choice and consent.
Rights vs Rescue
- The perception that sex workers are needing to be rescued rather than implementing laws and policies that protect their rights and provide safety for sex workers.
- The idea of rescuing needs to be decolonized in Sex Work that includes de-pathologizing and rehumanizing Sex Workers as being experts in their own lives.
Questions you should ask yourself first
Consider the language you are using when referring to sex work
- Terms such as prostitution/prostitute and hooker can be harmful and inappropriate. These historical terms carry negative stigmas and do not represent folks who work in sex work. Using pejorative language labeling folks as deviant, criminal and corrupt contribute to the dehumanization of sex workers which increases violence.
If asking sex workers to recount a bad date they have experienced
- Understanding that bad dates are traumatic and retelling stories about bad experiences can cause triggers that affect folks’ mental health and wellbeing. Remember these are not here to provide you with a headline story, these experiences are real, scary and traumatic. Be considerate and allow the sex worker to open up about what they feel comfortable with.
Be critical of statistics regarding trafficking and sex work mentioned in media, reports, etc.
- Be vigilant in your research. What research methodologies were used? Who is the target audience? How has this content been used in the past?
How much do you know about Bill C‑36 and the dangers of it?
- The bill criminalizes the purchase of sex/sexual services targeting the Johns, not allowing any form of advertising and not allowing sex workers to live off the money made. Essentially placing sex workers in dangerous situation and denying their autonomy. The laws within Canada fail to protect sex workers by pushing them to the margins of society and further stigmatize, discrimination and violence.
Do you know the difference between criminalization and decriminalization of sex work? How does that differ from models in other countries?
- Research the difference of criminalization vs decriminalization, specifically the harms criminalization of sex work can cause sex workers. Do your research on what these models might look like in other countries. Criminalization leads many sex workers to work in dark, isolated areas to avoid legal repercussions, deter folks from reporting to police and seeking support if needed. Understand Canada’s Nordic style model and the harms of it.
Asking if we know anyone who is a sex worker
- It is not appropriate to ask folks if they know a sex worker and “out” them. It may put the sex worker at risk of violence, stigma and discrimination.
Additional Resources
https://indigenoussexsovereignty.tumblr.com
https://journals.msvu.ca/index.php/atlantis/article/view/3042/pdf_37
https://incite-national.org/2011/07/15/indigenous-peoples-in-the-sex-trade-speaking-for-ourselves/
