Victimizing Is Dehumanizing

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 When most people think of women that are sex workers, they are often quick to associate them with being victims in need of saving. These women are usually thought to be forced against their will to work in this industry, ridden with disease, or if working within this industry willingly, barraged with emotional issues. That is not to say that all women are forced against their will and are unhealthy. The fact that we are quick to victimize all women within this industry amplifies stigma and is dehumanizing.

  In a publication from humanityinaction.org that addressed those employed willingly within the industry, the following statement was by an employee in response to the mental health stigma associated with them.

“I won’t say it isn’t true that some women in prostitution are emotional wrecks. But does that come from prostitution or from internalized self-hatred about being a whore? Does it come from the stigma because people found out and never wanted to talk to you again?” (Krüsi)

                        (Above is a piece I created myself titled: The Decider Unrestrained)
 

 
    The notion that all sex workers are plagued by STD and-or STIs is untrue.Women employed at brothels are tested regularly for any STDs or STIs and required to stay a week on the premises for twenty-four hours after receiving their results. Furthermore, no sexual acts are allowed on clients without the use of condoms or dental dams as stated by a scholarly article written by The University of Nevada titled Violence and Legalized Brothel Prostitution in Nevada Examining Safety, Risk, and Prostitution Policy. Additionally, these facts are stated in an interview with two sex workers.

Sex Workers Answer Questions About Legal Prostitution


    Not only are these stigmas untrue for all women in the industry, but the constant association causes even those of power to dehumanize said women. In another scholarly article, a transgender sex worker addressed how police denied the human right of protection against violence towards her.

“Police say oh if you’re in the trade you take risks and you know what’s gonna happen. You’re gonna get hurt. There’s nothing we can do about it. [...] Where does it say if you’re a hooker you’re gonna get hurt? You don’t get paid to get beat up. You’re not a beat-up worker, you know?“(Krüsi).

  Overall, contrary to belief, women that willfully work within the sex industry are dehumanized and victimized socially within society than specifically by their employers. As a society, whenever we feed into the stigmas related to sex work, we dehumanize those in it of their own free will. The assumptions of sex workers having poor mental health, physical health, and undeserving of protection like any other citizen; spread ignorance and supports this negative mentality towards them.


 (Above is another piece I created titled: Awesome Power) 


Sources Cited

Brents, Barbara G., and Kathryn Hausbeck. “Violence and Legalized Brothel Prostitution in Nevada.” Journal of Interpersonal Violence, vol. 20, no. 3, 2005, pp. 270–270., doi:10.1177/0886260504270333.

Krüsi, Andrea, et al. “‘They Won't Change It Back in Their Heads That We're Trash’: the Intersection of Sex Work-Related Stigma and Evolving Policing Strategies.” Sociology of Health & Illness, vol. 38, no. 7, 2016, pp. 7–7., doi:10.1111/1467-9566.12436.

Aminath , Shauna 2007 New York City, et al. “It Is Not Pretty Woman: Rethinking Sex Work Stereotypes.” Humanity in Action, Jan. 2008, www.humanityinaction.org/knowledge_detail/it-is-not-pretty-woman-rethinking-sex-work-stereotypes/.

BuzzFeedVideo, director. Sex Workers Answer Questions About Legal Prostitution. YouTube, YouTube, 7 Dec. 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=bK4z8Mzseo8&t=71s. 



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