Socio-Psychological Implications of Selling Sex: Findings from an Ethnographic Study Dr Teela Sanders University of Leeds Lecture in Sociology of Crime & Chair of Genesis

Building up knowledge Ethnography of indoor and street sex markets in Birmingham ‘Becoming an Ex: Pathways Out of Prostitution’ ‘Paying for Pleasure: Men who buy sex’ /6 Chair of Genesis outreach project, Leeds UKNSWP Safety, Violence & Policing Responded to Home Office Paying the Price

Sex Work. A Risky Business Ethnographic study: observations of markets, working practices, work venues 50 sex workers interviewed (45 off-street) 5 non sex workers interviewed Periphery of the industry workers

Main questions: What are the risks involved in sex work? What strategies are employed to manage risks? How are the markets internally regulated?

Who were the women? All British citizens, over 18, voluntary Age range years Average working career 9 years 45/55 White British, 6 Asian, 4 African Caribbean 41/55 had children 4/55 Class A drug use (indoor bias) 6 HE qualifications 2 studying for a degree

What do the sex markets look like? Escorts (agency or independent) Women who work from rented premises Larger brothels Saunas / massage parlours (some licensed) Indoor crack houses Street Swapping sex

Street more risky than indoors Street more violent murders on street Policing / criminalisation - tolerance indoors Harassment from residents Coercion on the street Health risks managed better indoors Drug use less indoors More collective working indoors / rules of engagement / management

Common findings amongst ALL women Screening clients Protection strategies ‘Being discovered’ : Secrecy & Lies Stigma & shame Isolation Negative emotions - guilt / disgust Strategies of ‘emotional management’ How to stay sane

Screening clients ‘Indicators of Trust’ Demeanour – expectations of behaviour Ethnicity – house rules Age – the older the safer Re-identification as a Regular Groups Internet screening – compliance

Protection strategies: low levels of violence indoors because of…... Precautions – general working rules (taking money first, spatial organisation, sexual positions, clothing) safety in numbers, ‘methodologies of control’ Deterrents – calling their bluff, drivers, doormen and receptionists, monitoring systems, assertiveness Remedial Protection: doing violence, display of bodily capital, weapon, ambivalence of police

Secrecy: The Shame of ‘Being Discovered’ ‘Working is like a double life that I lead: just lies after lies and you have to remember what you say and I hate lying’ Sexual stigma & stereotypes Shame – the need for secrecy The ultimate risk Preoccupation Double life Telling family & friends

Strategies to maintain secrecy Pseudonyms & Job aliases Passing off - impression management Geographical distance Choosing a market Isolation Variations of the truth – closed subject, half the story, honesty

Isolation: Consequence or Strategy Consequence: disassociation social withdrawal cut off non-sex work networks limit spread of information Strategy: decide only to socialise with sex workers networks become narrow ‘Solidification’ & ‘Solidarity’ difficult when trying to leave

Guilt & Disgust: ’it is that mixing of bodily fluids, that skin to skin contact that is damaging’ Irrespective of who knows Violating a principle - fidelity, loyalty, honesty, openness, morally wrong Physical contact with client’s body - Repulsion as a reminder that this was work. ‘right’ & ‘proper’ response which motivated other emotional management strategies

How do women stay sane? Emotional Management Strategies Hochchild’s emotion work and labour Strategies: - avoiding personal relations - the meaning of sex as work - condom as psychological barrier - rationalisation narratives - body exclusion zones - ‘manufactured identity’

Why Strategies Fail Strain of emotion work Burden of separation techniques Strategies become displaced Weaken after time Those who don’t adopt strategies Substances misuse - ‘desire to manage pain’ Emotional management achievable only under certain social, economic and work conditions

Continuum of Risk / Hierarchy of Harm Manage health better - individual choice Violence - strategies against this Psychological effects - emotional management strategies to prevent distress ‘Being found out’ - for many this was the most stressful risk that controlled everyday practices / double life

Impact of Coordinated Prostitution Strategy for street sex workers Anti social and offending behaviour ASBOs & Intervention orders - compulsory rehabilitation Increased health risks Less engagement with outreach Increased policing = More dangerous practices & working conditions