scholarly journals Sex, Work and Sex-Work: The Clandestine Tale of a Tabooed Industry in Bangladesh

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dr. MD Parvez Sattar
Keyword(s):  
Sex Work ◽  
Sex Workers ◽  
Fundamental Rights ◽  
Policy Framework ◽  
Sex Industry ◽  
Commercial Sex ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Commercial Sex Work ◽  
Mind Set ◽  
National Constitution

The article addresses a somewhat ambiguous and double-edged legal and policy framework relating to the tabooed commercial sex industry in Bangladesh. This dichotomous phenomenon is further aggravated by an aeonian trajectory of social vulnerability and economic exclusion that invisibly enslaves the victims of the process in an ostracised cycle of servitude and exploitation. Although the national Constitution adopts a preventive policy against prostitution, law does not as such prohibit commercial sex work by an adult woman working in a brothel having made an affidavit in this regard. But, at the same time, the law renders some forms of sex work illegal, while sex between males has been made culpable offence even on its own. On the other hand, blemish community mind-set, engraved stigma and lack of respect for fundamental rights continue to diminish any chances of sex workers' reintegration to the mainstream of the society, perpetuate poverty, and increase their vulnerability to STI/HIV/AIDS. This paradox in policy and practice represents a centuries-old oxymoron in social and legal philosophical parlance in many parts of the globe including Bangladesh.

scholarly journals Sex, Work and Sex-Work: The Clandestine Tale of a Tabooed Industry in Bangladesh

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dr. MD Parvez Sattar
Keyword(s):  
Sex Work ◽  
Sex Workers ◽  
Fundamental Rights ◽  
Policy Framework ◽  
Sex Industry ◽  
Commercial Sex ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Commercial Sex Work ◽  
Mind Set ◽  
National Constitution

The article addresses a somewhat ambiguous and double-edged legal and policy framework relating to the tabooed commercial sex industry in Bangladesh. This dichotomous phenomenon is further aggravated by an aeonian trajectory of social vulnerability and economic exclusion that invisibly enslaves the victims of the process in an ostracised cycle of servitude and exploitation. Although the national Constitution adopts a preventive policy against prostitution, law does not as such prohibit commercial sex work by an adult woman working in a brothel having made an affidavit in this regard. But, at the same time, the law renders some forms of sex work illegal, while sex between males has been made culpable offence even on its own. On the other hand, blemish community mind-set, engraved stigma and lack of respect for fundamental rights continue to diminish any chances of sex workers' reintegration to the mainstream of the society, perpetuate poverty, and increase their vulnerability to STI/HIV/AIDS. This paradox in policy and practice represents a centuries-old oxymoron in social and legal philosophical parlance in many parts of the globe including Bangladesh.

The Work of Sex Work

2020 ◽  
pp. 192-209
Author(s):  
Katie Cruz
Keyword(s):  
Sex Work ◽  
Sex Workers ◽  
Commercial Sex ◽  
Labour Law ◽  
Important Distinction ◽  
Commercial Sex Work ◽  
Structural Coupling ◽  
Work Relations ◽  
Structural Context

This chapter analyses the legal treatment of sex work, and specifically prostitution, from the perspective of Marxist feminism. Here, the work of sex work must be understood in its wider structural context of gendered and racialized capitalism. The chapter argues that sex work should be understood as work. Furthermore, the features of ‘unfreedom’ associated with sex work do not vitiate its identity as a form of work, and therefore as an activity that warrants the application of protective norms of labour law. This marks an important distinction from the previous chapter’s taxonomy of commercial sex work. In fact, this chapter argues that all work under capitalism is structurally coupled with exploitation and alienation (unfreedom) that ebbs and flows according to the balance of class forces. Given this structural coupling, it is problematic to use the exploitation and alienation in sex work as a basis for excluding it from the domain of personal work relations and for barring sex workers from worker protective laws.

From Victim to Criminality

2021 ◽  
pp. 288-308
Author(s):  
Vipin Vijay Nair ◽  
Sandra Anil Varkey
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Criminal Justice System ◽  
Sex Work ◽  
Sex Workers ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Commercial Sex ◽  
Commercial Sex Work ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
Women And Children ◽  
Society Today

Trafficking of persons, primarily women and children, is one of the growing social dilemmas concerning global society today. Not only is human trafficking a highly sensitive and polarizing subject, but it is also considered a common norm in many countries. Many women recruited into commercial sex work are coerced into the profession exploiting their financial and economic condition but continue to work in the profession to survive through easy money. The chapter focuses on a theoretical framework for understanding the victimization of female sex workers. It also reflects various lacuna in the present criminal justice system and law enforcement mechanism in criminalizing victims within the sex work industry. The chapter narrates the voices of commercial sex workers in India over the prejudices and criminalization by various laws and regulations towards their consensual sex work. The chapter recommends sensitization training and awareness amongst various stakeholders of the criminal justice system.

Introduction: The Cultural Study of Commercial Sex: Taking a policy perspective

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie Hammond ◽  
Feona Attwood
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Study ◽  
Sex Work ◽  
Sex Workers ◽  
Sex Industry ◽  
Commercial Sex ◽  
Policy Perspective ◽  
Cultural Life ◽  
Production And Consumption ◽  
Sexual Commerce ◽  
Selling Sex

The transformation of the sex industry since 2000 has meant that the image of the ‘street prostitute’ touting for business on dark street corners is less representative of sex work or sex workers than it has ever been. Much of our knowledge about the sex industry, and about wider transformations of economic, intimate and cultural life, is out of date (Bernstein, 2007a), and policy processes are taking place within the context of limited or outdated knowledge. The growth in visibility, consumption and diversity of sexual commerce is now well recognised (Weitzer, 2000; Agustín, 2005; Scoular and Sanders, 2010) and commercial sex industries are known to operate across a variety of locations, and within specific modes of production and consumption, which are historically, contextually and culturally contingent and where ‘the meaning of buying and selling sex is not always the same’ (Agustín, 2005: 619).

scholarly journals Psychiatric Morbidity and Social Exclusion among Sex Workers - A Review of Literature

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 312-322
Author(s):  
Anugraha Varghese
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Exclusion ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Sex Work ◽  
Sex Workers ◽  
Psychiatric Morbidity ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Sex Industry ◽  
Commercial Sex ◽  
Sex Worker

Abstract: "Commercial sex workers" refers to those who engage in prostitution, and have been used in the literature on the subject over a period of time. The term has been adopted, which is free of the complex, derogatory and sexist connotations, which are often linked with the concept of a "slut". Sex work includes a wide variety of activities, including the exchange of foreign currency (or an equivalent) for the purchase of sex, and sexual services. Sex work has been attributed to several psychiatric issues, including physical violence as a child, sexual assault as a child, adult domestic discrimination, substance abuse, trauma etc. Commercial sex work, according to Medrano, and Gilchrist, is often correlated with the socio-demographic disadvantage such as ethnic minority, low-income, food and nutrition, and a lack of education and training. Sex workers may be exposed to the stigma of the action, and, therefore, have a high risk for psychiatric morbidity. There is indeed a scarcity of literature into how sex workers deal with mental health and stigma. The stigma of the sex industry would have a direct impact on the mental health of sex workers. The need to control, and the risk of selective disclosure of the sex work is the usual on-the-job. The objective of this review is to examine the current literature on sex workers, with a focus on health as well as other forms of social isolation such as disability, homelessness, and drug abuse. There aren't many articles dedicated to mental health, social isolation, or sex work. The paper is divided into three sections based on three major themes. The very first theme looks at the causes that lead to insecurity, social isolation, and sex work participation. The second topic examines how exclusionary mechanisms impact sex workers' mental health and the most common mental illnesses in the sex worker population. Finally, the third topic considers how exclusionary mechanisms impact the lives of sex workers, as well as the various degrees of social exclusion faced by different classes of sex workers. Sex workers, especially on-the-street, off-the-street, transient, and trafficked sex workers, face potential threats and sickness. Several of these impediments are connected to wider questions of social exclusion that go far beyond sex work. Keywords: Sex worker, psychiatric morbidity, social exclusion, sex work stigma, factors affecting entrance into sex workers.

“You’re selling a brand”: Marketing commercial sex online

Sexualities ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 136346072110561
Author(s):  
Gillian Abel
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Social Status ◽  
Sex Work ◽  
Sex Workers ◽  
Direct Contact ◽  
Commercial Sex ◽  
Commercial Sex Work ◽  
The Social ◽  
Marketing Tool ◽  
Approach Working

Sex work has undergone a change, with the rise of the internet economy with more ‘middle class’ sex workers coming into the industry. In this paper, I explore the social status hierarchy within online direct-contact commercial sex work in New Zealand. I draw on findings from an in-depth qualitative investigation of online sex work, undertaken between 2017 and 2018. I took a participatory approach, working closely with NZPC – Aotearoa New Zealand Sex Workers’ Collective to provide an understanding of two interrelated issues: the role web platforms play in shaping the social status of sex workers who advertise for clients online; and how sex workers brand and market themselves online. The findings suggest that sex workers strive to represent themselves as authentic in their marketing to enhance social status. Furthermore, the web platform on which over 90% of indoor sex workers in New Zealand advertise has embedded a status system among sex workers through the advertising packages they offer. Social status has thus become the most powerful marketing tool indoor direct-contact sex workers have to stand out from their competitors and attract sufficient clients to make a liveable income.

The Prostitute's Allure: The Return to Beauty in Commercial Sex Work

2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Raj Arunachalam ◽  
Manisha Shah
Keyword(s):  
Sex Work ◽  
Sex Workers ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Personal Characteristics ◽  
Commercial Sex ◽  
Standard Deviation Increase ◽  
Commercial Sex Work ◽  
Communication Ability ◽  
Compensating Differential ◽  
Using Data

Abstract We estimate the earnings premium for beauty in an occupation where returns to physical attractiveness are likely to be important: commercial sex work. Using data from sex workers in Ecuador and Mexico, we find that a one standard deviation increase in attractiveness yields 10-15 percent higher earnings. Including controls for personal characteristics (communication ability and desirability of personality) cuts the beauty premium by up to one-half. Beautiful sex workers earn higher wages, have more clients, and enjoy a larger compensating differential for disease risk.

scholarly journals Sex Workers’ Rights in Aotearoa New Zealand

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 141
Author(s):  
Catherine Healy ◽  
Denise Blake ◽  
Amanda Thomas
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Sex Workers ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Third Parties ◽  
Sex Industry ◽  
Commercial Sex ◽  
Commercial Sex Work ◽  
Double Standards ◽  
Aotearoa New Zealand ◽  
History Of

The New Zealand Prostitutes’ Collective (NZPC) is an organisation founded on the rights, welfare, health, and safety of sex workers in Aotearoa New Zealand and globally. The collective is committed to ensuring the agency of sex workers in all aspects of life. After years of lobbying by the NZPC to overturn an archaic law founded on double standards, whereby sex workers and third parties were prosecuted for acts such as soliciting and brothel keeping, the Prostitution Reform Act 2003 saw the decriminalisation of commercial sex activities and allowed for third parties to operate brothels. Aotearoa New Zealand remains the only country to decriminalise most commercial sex work and endorse the rights of sex workers. Dame Catherine Healy has been with the NZPC since its inception in 1987. As the national coordinator she is a vocal lead activist and advocate for sex workers’ rights. She also publishes extensively on sex workers’ rights. In 2018, Catherine was presented with a Dame Campion to the New Zealand Order of Merit in acknowledgment for working for the rights of sex workers. Dr Denise Blake is an academic and the chair of the NZPC Board. Denise has been involved in the sex industry in a variety of roles for a number of years, and also advocates strongly for the rights of sex workers. In this interview, Catherine talks to Denise and Amanda Thomas about her work and the history of the NZPC.  

scholarly journals Changing Pattern Of Prostitution: An Assessment Of Transnational Commercial Sex Work By Nigerian Women

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bello Ibrahim ◽  
Jamilu Ibrahim Mukhtar
Keyword(s):  
Sex Work ◽  
Sex Workers ◽  
Middle Eastern ◽  
Commercial Sex ◽  
Commercial Sex Workers ◽  
Commercial Sex Work ◽  
Nigerian Women ◽  
Child Prostitution ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Definition Of

This paper is aimed at analyzing the changing pattern of prostitution. However, the definition of the act of prostitution has been metamorphosing for centuries from acceptable to illegal and then (in some jurisdictions) to criminal again, agitations by advocates have also necessitated the nomenclatural alteration from “prostitution” to “commercial sex work”. The paper examined how development in information and communication technology allows commercial sex workers to make connections with clients through internet and sell sex on this platform. Globalization processes has also changed the pattern of this business to a transnational activity. Although there are many willing transnational commercial sex workers, but organized criminal syndicates are using this development to traffic some women and children with the false promises of getting a lucrative from overseas but ultimately subject them to sex exploitation, child prostitution and sex labor. As is the plight of some Nigerian women in Italy and other European, Middle Eastern and Asian countries, many women from developing countries are recruited into this institution through human trafficking. As a result of commercial sex many women and girls suffer sexual violence, sex exploitation, sexual abuse and contract STDs. To curtail these problems, governments and transnational institutions are therefore urged to develop mechanisms that can tackle these problems by providing women with decent employment opportunities and increase surveillance across national borders.

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