Thus, the term does not refer to human trafficking and other coerced or nonconsensual sexual transactions such as child prostitution. Sex work is the world’s oldest profession It is also the one most mired in disinformation From misconceptions around the legality of various services, to the reasons providers choose to pursue the profession, to the value it adds to their own and others’ lives. Sex work, on the other hand, is a consensual transaction between adults, where the act of selling or buying sexual services is not a violation of human rights Conflating trafficking with sex work can be harmful and counterproductive.
Sex work is the exchange of sexual services for money or something of value (erotic dancing, adult film actors, bdsm workers, etc.) Individuals engage in sex work for a variety of reasons, which could include choice, circumstance, and coercion Sex work is often part of a survival economy. A basic primer on what sex work is, who sex workers are, why sex workers engage in sex work, how sex work differs from trafficking, and more. The terms 'sex worker' and ‘sex work’ replacing 'prostitute' and ‘prostitution’ was a result of global advocacy led by sex workers, who aimed to have sex work recognized as work Sex workers’ workplaces and working arrangements are diverse.
What is the history of this phrase, and how has it changed the way we think about sex work in the 21st century?
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