There probably isn’t a person over the age of 18 who doesn’t know what a sex worker is… Prostitute, escort, erotic dancer… call it what you will. Here are 25 facts about sex workers that may have you look at them and the industry in a different light.
Oh, and there’s a reason why we post this today…
1.
June 2nd is International Sex Workers’ Day. This day started to be recognized back in 1975 in France when a group of sex workers met in a church to discuss the difficulties associated with their line of work.
2.
Sex workers work in the sex industry. And that means ALL AREAS of the sex industry including those who provide first hand sexual services as well as the associated staff those service providers.
3.
Three out of every four women involved in prostitution were introduced to it when they were children.
4.
55% to 90% of prostitutes report a history of sexual abuse as children.
5.
A Canadian study found that the mortality rates of female prostitutes were 40 times higher than the national average.
6.
Drug use among prostitutes is rampant. Surveys back in 2004 showed that up to 95% of female prostitutes are drug users/abusers.
7.
New Zealand is one country where the entire prostitution industry has been legalized. Yet, the illegal side of the industry makes of over 80% of the total.
8.
Sex workers aren’t all “working the street” like Hollywood often portrays. In fact in an Australian survey from 2003, “street sex work” accounted for only 5.9% of the total.
9.
The brothel, or bordello, also known as “house of ill repute” among many other names, is the MOST common place for the public to engage the services of a sex worker. Almost 65% of people use this setting as a meeting place.
10.
Prostitution is punishable by death in Iran, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Iran.
11.
As much as 80% of women in prostitution have been victims of rape. Many sex workers say the experience of prostitution is just like rape, making this a difficult statistic to measure.
12.
On average, a prostitute is raped 8 to 10 times per year.
13.
Surprisingly, sex workers, globally, have LOWER rates of STD’s or Sexually Transmitted Diseases that the rest of the general public.
14.
Being a prostitute is a dangerous job. In fact, THE MOST DANGEROUS JOB in the USA. Death rates per 100,000 come in a 204. While the standard “most dangerous job” commonly shown in media, “commercial fisherman” only lists deaths per 100,000 at 129.
15.
Phone sex workers can earn as little as 7 cents per minute, and as much as $1.50 per minute depending on the type of company they work.
16.
One of the biggest things sex workers cite as “something they like about their job”, besides money, are the flexible working hours.
17.
Adult texting is becoming very popular with “work at home moms”. The majority of the companies in this industry are in Germany and the United Kingdom.
18.
A sex worker is one of the few jobs where lingerie, high heels, lubricant, pornographic magazines and videos, and sex toys are valid business expenses. Although your accountant may blush a little come tax time!
19.
Researcher in the United Kingdom have found that one in five young people would consider sex work as a means of making money.
20.
Because of sexism the marketplace, middle class and upper class women can earn more in sex work than most other jobs.
21.
Sex workers are not all prostitutes. Other popular jobs in the sex industry include Phone Sex Operator, Webcam Model, Adult Toy Sales, Webcam Model Recruiting Agent, among many others.
22.
In Thailand, the sex trade is HUGE! In fact the national economy is dependent on it. Over 5 million tourists per year visit Thailand for “Sex Tours”, and it is not uncommon for local Thai men to purchase the services of a prostitute on a daily basis.
23.
Sex workers around the world have LOWER rates of STD’s or Sexually Transmitted Diseases that the rest of the general public.
24.
In Australia, sex workers usage rate for condoms is greater than 99%.
25.
The number one reason people enter into the sex worker industry is to “make more money/pay for household expenses”. Not unlike entering any other job or industry.