How come the sw’s affected by this new law don’t just get other jobs or entry-level retail jobs? Why do they HAVE to do sex work?

brat-grrl2:

im going 2 try & explain this as informatively as i can as i suppose 2 ppl outside of the industry this may seem like a valid Q

there are varied reasons why ppl choose sex work & most of these reasons stem from choosing the best logical option regarding ur personal situation. disability, physical illness, mental illness, being a (single) parent w/ minimal outside help or being carers for family members/partners, not having any qualifications or work experience, criminal records, a high percentage of sex workers are trans & there are legitimate issues around the hiring of trans ppl (especially non passing trans ppl) & a lot of dysphoric issues that can make it hard working in the public eye (which is the majority of entry level jobs). most workers will have a lifestyle that reflects the money & freedom that comes w/ a) being ur own boss b) being on a high hourly rate. if u have a mortgage, down payments, bills, insurance, children or family 2 provide for etc then its not as easy as just ‘getting another job’ & im sure ppl who live independently & have lost their work or have been made redundant can sympathise w/ the stress of quickly finding another job that pays enough 2 keep u / u & ur family afloat. in the meantime if ur working paycheck 2 paycheck w/ no savings or outside financial help then its almost inevitable that ur going 2 lose a lot (the most vital thing being ur home). the main issue is that this is going 2 affect the most marginalised & vulnerable sex workers out there (the ones we should be protecting the most)

@averyconfusingcouple wrote a few good posts about working w/ a mental illness & how it can be extremely hard & in some cases impossible. thats what i personally relate 2 when i read about swers losing their income. if i lost my income via sex work then im sparky, fairly bright, a quick learner & good w/ ppl & im sure that i could find another job BUT i know that currently i could never hold down a 9-5. if i can haul ass 2 bookings one week out of 3 months then i can support myself comfortably. im also v v lucky 2 have incredibly caring & financially comfortable friends who would look after me if i did ever end up destitute but this isnt an option 4 everyone as im sure a lot of u know. it may seem like there’s a simple solution out there but i think we can all recognise that this isnt a one size fits all situation. some workers **are** finding other jobs, some workers dont have that luxury & are losing everything they’ve worked 4 because once again sex workers rights are being trampled all over & we’re being infantalised & ignored