Squaring Up: Experiences of Transition from Off‐Street Sex Work to Square Work and Duality—Concurrent Involvement in Both—in Vancouver, BC

Abstract

Many studies of exit from sex work are inspired by role theory, where people experience a lack of attachment to a role; are faced with individual, interactional, and structural challenges; contemplate transition and exit a role; and then struggle to establish postrole identities and new lives. This framework has been used to explicate the factors and experiences of those who leave or attempt to leave the sex industry; however, it is limited because studies present sex work as a harmful and dangerous profession that people are trapped in, escaping, or have survived. In this paper, I discuss Vancouver's history of violence against sex workers and I review research on sex work exiting and bring forward recommendations for the design of exit program based on the experiences of 22 active and former off-street sex workers from Vancouver, British Columbia. I describe study participants who include Sex-Work-No-More participants who would not return to the industry, Sex-Work-Maybe participants who consider reinvolvement, and Dual-Life participants who are employed in sex work and conventional work simultaneously. These participants uniquely challenge narrow, binary understandings of involvement and transition because they discuss their use of deception to obtain resources needed to make change; the support that clients have provided; their strategic engagement in sex work as a means to exit; their considerations of reentry; and for some, their dual employment. In light of new legislation that criminalizes activities related to sex work-the Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act-and the Federal government announcement of $20 million dollars for the creation of exit services nationwide, hearing from sex workers is essential to advancing agendas in this area.

A Content Analysis of Health and Safety Communications Among Internet-Based Sex Work Advertisements: Important Information for Public Health

“…Additionally, health promotion strategies must include and extend beyond STI prevention. The need for greater knowledge and skills in the areas of safe and effective Internet advertising strategies, attracting and screening appropriate clients, addressing legal concerns, and financial planning—an important aspect of transitioning out of the industry have been identified [44,60]. Given the evidence of increased autonomy and independence associated with Internet-based sex work [4-6], there is perhaps an opportunity for health programming to capitalize on the benefits of autonomy and control in sex workers’ choice to communicate explicit Web-based restrictions, and to promote and expand self-health in the sex industry as a highly desirable and marketable characteristic.…”

Intention, barriers and opportunities to exit from commercial sex work among female sex workers in Ethiopia: Qualitative study

“…34 Not only formal support but informal support from the local community also facilitates exit from commercial sex work. 15,19 Women in the current study did not access such formal supports and experienced stigma from the local community and were demoralized by others even if they stopped CSW. Such social behaviors inhibits women to exit eff ectively and pushes them to resume commercial sex work.…”

“…7 It is challenging for the women to stay out of commercial sex work despite their determined exit and are found returning to the work after a short duration. 19 The reason is that the money generated through CSW is much higher than what they could make through other available jobs for example, commercial sex worker fi nds other jobs as labour jobs such labour is not suffi cient to meet their demands. The exploration of such concepts during the exit process can enable program planners to get deep insight on required planning for the exit strategies.…”

Gender, Victimization, and Commercial Sex: A Comparative Study

“…Isolation is another occupational hazard of sex work, particularly independent sex work. The secretive and stigmatized nature of the work makes many sex workers fear being "outed" by family or friends (Bowen 2015), forcing them to lead isolating "double lives." The job itself can leave sex workers feeling emotionally and physically drained by the time they return home, creating distance in personal lives.…”