PDF Summary:Revolting Prostitutes: The Fight for Sex Workers' Rights, by Molly Smith and Juno Mac

Revolting Prostitutes sheds light on the stigma surrounding sex work and those involved in the industry. Molly Smith and Juno Mac explore how age-old anxieties about sexuality and morality have fueled negative perceptions of sex workers, often portraying them as threats to societal health and purity.

The authors scrutinize various legal approaches to sex work, from prohibition to legalization, arguing that all models increase vulnerability for marginalized workers. They contend that initiatives to combat human trafficking often fail to address systemic issues, reinforce racist policies, and overlook harm caused by law enforcement against sex workers.

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Migrants without official documentation often face a higher risk of exploitation and abuse due to their inability to legally assert their rights as workers. The authors offer numerous examples that demonstrate the fundamental dynamics at play. They illustrate how the reliance of a migrant domestic worker's residency rights on their employment with a specific employer almost always results in conditions of exploitation. The authors highlight the precarious circumstances of 'tied visas' in the UK and note that in the US, a significant proportion of migrant domestic workers, around eighty percent, suffer exploitation or abuse because their employers have control over their visa status, enabling them to pressure workers into enduring substandard working conditions by wielding the possibility of expulsion from the country.

Efforts to combat trafficking often reinforce policies rooted in racism and imperialism, and instead of addressing the root causes of exploitation, these initiatives typically undermine the well-being of migrants.

Smith and Mac analyze traditional approaches to combat trafficking, highlighting that these methods typically fail to address the root systemic problems contributing to trafficking and exploitation, and instead focus on individual perpetrators who are often depicted as men from Black or Asian backgrounds. Contemporary anti-human trafficking campaigns often resonate with the panic of the 19th century, continuing to propagate narratives that are racially and ethnically biased, suggesting that white women are particularly vulnerable to foreign men. The book explores the portrayal by prominent conservative leaders, such as Donald Trump and the former British Prime Minister, of intensified border control and the implementation of more rigorous immigration policies as crucial steps in the fight against trafficking. The authors argue that governments and organizations opposed to prostitution deflect attention from the potential harm caused by their own policies by framing trafficking as the work of isolated malefactors.

The way in which police and courts exacerbate the hardships faced by those engaged in sex work.

Smith and Mac argue that mainstream feminist organizations often overlook or even support the harsh measures taken by the police against marginalized women, particularly those working in the sex industry. The authors advocate for broader recognition of the diverse types of violence women face, especially the harm caused by state actions including arrest, detention, legal action, and forced deportation.

Sex workers, especially those who are marginalized because of their race or gender, frequently endure exploitation and experience physical harm and coercion from law enforcement officials.

The writers argue that individuals engaged in sex work are significantly endangered by violent acts perpetrated by members of the police force. The authors present numerous instances where police officers have misused their power by engaging in unethical behavior, demanding bribes, or physically harming sex workers. They argue that the complete criminalization of sex work grants law enforcement the freedom to conduct raids and supposed rescues with impunity, aware that the affected individuals are unlikely to seek justice or that their complaints will be received with doubt.

The book highlights the increased susceptibility of sex workers to harm, particularly those who are Black or undocumented, as they often encounter the misuse of immigration and prostitution laws by law enforcement, which are wielded as tools for intimidation, exploitation, and to coerce them sexually.

Making the work of sex workers illegal compromises their safety and hinders their access to necessary services and legal assistance.

Smith and Mac contend that criminalizing any aspect of sex work undermines the capacity of those employed in the industry to safeguard their well-being and to pursue help or legal recourse in the face of violence. The authors argue that when prostitution is criminalised, sex workers are rendered hyper-visible to police while simultaneously being pushed into the shadows, where they are less able to protect themselves against abusive clients, exploitative managers, and violent predators. Individuals engaged in sex work frequently encounter difficulties across various environments and, in their efforts to establish more secure working conditions through client screening, cooperation with peers, or rejecting risky offers, they often find themselves compelled to compromise their safety protocols to avoid police detection.

Other Perspectives

• Efforts to combat human trafficking are multifaceted and may include necessary restrictions on immigration to prevent illegal entry and exploitation.
• Some argue that strict immigration policies are essential for national security and public safety, not just for controlling sex work and trafficking.
• There is a perspective that criminalizing undocumented migration is a deterrent to illegal entry and can prevent potential exploitation before it occurs.
• Anti-trafficking efforts can be seen as part of a broader human rights initiative, aiming to protect vulnerable populations without necessarily being rooted in racism or imperialism.
• Law enforcement agencies might argue that their involvement is crucial in protecting individuals in sex work from violence and exploitation, and that not all police actions are harmful or abusive.
• There are arguments that the criminalization of sex work is intended to discourage the industry as a whole due to moral, ethical, or community standards, rather than to harm those involved in it.
• Some believe that providing legal avenues for sex work could lead to an increase in demand and potentially exacerbate issues of trafficking and exploitation.

The outcomes stemming from different approaches to establishing laws and regulations related to sex work.

The book scrutinizes the trio of principal legal frameworks governing sex work: total prohibition, the partial criminalization approach referred to as the Nordic model, and a regulatory scheme where sex work is lawful and subject to official oversight. Smith and Mac argue that by emphasizing regulation and stability, all three legal models compromise the safety and well-being of sex workers rather than protecting them.

The harmful consequences of a legal system that penalizes not only the sex worker but also the client and their associates.

Smith and Mac argue that the policy of full criminalization, which prohibits all aspects of sex work, adversely affects and has a detrimental effect on the most marginalized and economically disadvantaged women. They challenge the prevalent notion that harsh measures are necessary to combat trafficking and exploitation, arguing that punishing those who sell or buy sexual services fails to address the root causes of these issues, like economic hardship and limited options for legal migration, and might even exacerbate the circumstances.

The vulnerability and lack of stability experienced by sex workers are intensified when their profession is criminalized, especially for those who are already at the fringes of society.

The authors demonstrate that in countries like the United States, South Africa, and Kenya, the outright ban on sex work intensifies the vulnerability and precariousness of those engaged in this line of work, particularly affecting those who are already at a disadvantage because of their racial background, gender identity, and immigrant status. The authors highlight that the criminalization of sex work often leads to an increase in arbitrary arrests, legal proceedings, incarcerations, and the deportation of individuals engaged in the industry, often for minor infractions such as loitering or carrying birth control. Smith and Mac challenge the notion that incarcerating individuals is an act of mercy intended to protect vulnerable women, offering in-depth narratives of the harsh, exploitative, and oppressive interactions with the police experienced by sex workers targeted during clampdowns.

The book highlights the profound unfairness of absolute criminalization by examining the situations of Alisha Walker and GiGi Thomas, two African American women who were imprisoned in the United States after acting in self-defense against violent clients.

Harsh penalties and incarceration intensify the negative perception and obstruct sex workers' access to support.

Smith and Mac argue that sex workers are trapped in a continuous cycle where they are apprehended, charged, and incarcerated due to actions associated with their profession, creating a significant barrier that impedes their decision to leave the industry if they so desire. They elucidate that having a criminal record can significantly hinder one's ability to find different work, secure a place to live, or manage responsibilities as a parent, potentially resulting in a circumstance where one must rely on sex work for basic survival. The writers illustrate how the criminalization of sex work exacerbates the associated stigma, as law enforcement agencies often disseminate arrest photographs on the internet following the detention of individuals in operations targeting prostitution. The authors stress that the fear of arrest, along with societal stigma, often prevents sex workers from seeking help or reporting violence, leading to greater isolation and vulnerability.

The constraints linked to the Nordic Model, along with strategies that encompass specific legal penalties.

Smith and Mac challenge the widespread notion that the complexities of sex work are best addressed through a feminist lens by adopting the Nordic Model, which criminalizes the purchase of sexual services while ostensibly decriminalizing the act of selling them. They argue that while the Nordic model purports to protect sex workers by targeting clients, in reality it diminishes the power of people selling sex, pushing them into more dangerous and exploitative situations. The authors demonstrate that when the law prohibits the offering of sexual services and simultaneously upholds other legal sanctions directed at sex workers, it creates a tiered system of criminality that disproportionately affects those who are least able to comply with the rules, such as street-based workers, immigrants, and individuals sharing their workspaces with others.

The statute, while removing criminal penalties for sex workers and focusing on their customers, nonetheless escalates the dangers and manipulative strategies faced by individuals involved in sex work.

The authors underscore that the criminalization of clients leads to a market dynamic that benefits the buyers of sexual services, compelling sex workers to accept lower pay, riskier conditions, and to compromise more on their safety protocols to retain clients who are deterred by the potential for legal consequences. The authors depict a situation where, due to the fear of police oversight, sex workers in the Nordic nations are frequently compelled to operate in less visible areas, consent to sexual encounters without protection, or forgo their usual safety protocols.

People who participate in sex work still encounter legal consequences and lack significant support when they wish to exit the profession.

Smith and Mac critically examine the claim that the Nordic model genuinely prioritizes the well-being of the individuals it impacts, despite its alleged provision of support for sex workers who wish to exit the profession. They illustrate how these "exit programs" often come with limited resources and carry a stigma, which can result in the punishment of individuals in the sex trade, while offering little help and few opportunities to secure esteemed employment outside the industry of sex work. Smith and Mac highlight that despite the implementation of the Nordic model, sex workers continue to encounter a multitude of legal challenges, such as arrests, evictions, and deportations, stemming from persistent legal penalties such as bans on selling sexual services, managing venues for sex work, and collaborating with colleagues in shared spaces.

Regulatory frameworks for legalization often fall short in safeguarding the welfare of sex workers.

Smith and Mac scrutinize the movement toward decriminalizing sex work, presenting arguments against regulatory frameworks that fail to safeguard the workers and continue to exacerbate the vulnerability of the most endangered individuals involved in sex work. The authors highlight that in places like Germany, the Netherlands, and parts of Nevada where prostitution is legally recognized, there remains a persistent pattern of penalizing and exploiting those who cannot or choose not to comply with the strict legal requirements.

Establishing legal structures governing sex work frequently leads to a tiered system that places the most vulnerable participants in the trade at a disadvantage.

The authors demonstrate that systems of legalization create a tiered structure in the sex industry, allowing a minority to operate legally, while most sex workers continue to work outside the legal system, facing marginalization and punitive actions. Smith and Mac highlight how legal structures often marginalize groups including immigrants, transgender women, self-employed individuals, and people with legal records, resulting in regulations that do not protect the most vulnerable workers.

The beneficiaries of legalization tend to be the ones exerting control and exploitation over others, rather than those advocating for improved rights and safeguards for sex workers.

The writers argue that, rather than emancipating individuals involved in commercial sexual activities, legalization often solidifies their subjugation by amplifying the influence of individuals who financially benefit from their labor. The authors note that because legalization typically prohibits independent work and informal groups, yet approves regulated venues, many sex workers are pushed into difficult work situations with few alternatives to address grievances regarding unjust treatment or substandard work conditions. The authors stress that when sex work is legalized, the introduction of mandatory licensing, spatial restrictions, and a plethora of rules frequently curtails the liberties and self-determination of sex workers, without addressing the fundamental societal and economic factors that drive people into the sex trade.

Other Perspectives

• The Nordic Model aims to reduce demand for sex work, potentially leading to a decrease in the industry and associated exploitation.
• Legalization with regulation can provide health and safety benefits for sex workers, such as mandatory health checks and secure working environments.
• Criminalization of clients can deter human trafficking by reducing the demand for sexual services provided by trafficked individuals.
• Some sex workers may prefer working within a legalized system as it can offer legal protection and recognition, as opposed to operating in a criminalized or decriminalized environment.
• Exit programs, even if imperfect, can provide a pathway out of sex work for those who seek it, offering services such as counseling, education, and job training.
• Legalization can bring sex work out of the shadows, making it easier for sex workers to report abuse and exploitation to authorities without fear of prosecution.
• In some contexts, criminalization of sex work can be part of broader social policies aimed at discouraging activities perceived as morally or socially undesirable.
• Regulatory frameworks can help combat the stigma associated with sex work by normalizing and integrating it into the formal economy and society.
• The tiered system created by legalization can be seen as a way to ensure compliance with health and safety standards, which can be beneficial for both sex workers and clients.