How Decriminalisation Reduces Harm Within and Beyond Sex Work: Sex Work Abolitionism as the “Cult of Female Modesty” in Feminist Form

Abstract Background Sex work has a long history and takes different forms, but the associated precarity danger, particularly where poorer women minorities are concerned, is undeniable. There growing evidence that decriminalisation reduces harm, and, indeed, it policy approach favoured by sex worker groups. Despite this, many feminists instead seek to “end demand” for paid sex, recommending legal penalties buyers, with aim of abolishing altogether. Method This paper comparative approach, examining why applied not care work. Abolition typically justified both in terms reducing harm workers more generally, work’s very existence being thought perpetuate notion all “sex objects.” Women are, however, only exposed within also commonly stereotyped as givers, way similarly been argued contribute gender inequality. Results By comparing work, this reveals logical inconsistency approach; unlike there little push criminalise those who purchase or other such domestic labour services. revealing moral nature abolitionist arguments, disrespectful which characterised radical feminist literature, argues that, rather than perpetuates conspiring “immodest” cause social ills. Conclusions Reducing workers—and generally—face requires challenge “the cult female modesty”, be complicit it.