Understanding the Diversity of People in Sex Work: Views from Leaders in Sex Worker Organizations

Criminal laws in Canada and many other countries are currently premised on the assumption of homogeneity, that is, people sex work cis women girls who being sexually exploited/sex trafficked. This perspective is also shared by antiprostitution groups researchers investigating “prostitution problem”. Perpetuating this position obscures their demographic multiplicity variety lived experiences. We interviewed 10 leaders from seven worker organizations (SWOs) across reported a diversity among clientele rarely captured extant literature absent current Canadian criminal code. Our findings reveal important role SWOs have to play facilitating access health social services providing spaces where can gather safe supportive environments, without fear stigma, discrimination, or police harassment. conclude operate as structural intervention beyond decriminalization improve equitable for workers Despite SWOs’ efforts, workers’ mobilization still limited micro-, meso-, macrolevel stigmatization prevents and/or discourages some accessing programs services.