Barriers to Exiting Commercial Sex Work, Part Two

By Tany Pearrell

In continuation of our previous blog on Barriers to Exiting Commercial Sex Work let’s take a look at the next two barriers identified by the women interviewed (you can view that article here - (Barriers to Exiting and Factors Contributing to the Cycle of Enter/Exit/Re-Entering Commericial Sex Work | Social Work & Christianity (nacsw.org)). If you have not read the previous blog outlining the information you may want to start there.

Adverse Childhood

In this study, more than half of the participants shared that they had an adverse childhood. This could be the loss of parents, time spent in the foster care system, and some sort of abuse, whether physical or sexual. This corresponds with other studies showing that 85-90% of those in the commercial sex industry were abused as a child. These childhood traumas shape the individuals’ perception of self and lead to the development of a sense of powerless that can hinder leaving the industry (see our previous blog “Why Doesn’t She Just Leave?”).

One woman shared this “I guess like a history of like the sexual stuff like my family. I guess like in general feeling like an object has always been a struggle for me. So yea, the industry, in general, was not conducive to healing from that type of mindset…” This shows how unhealed childhood trauma, especially sexual abuse, can also be a barrier to leaving. Being objectified as a dancer is very similar to childhood sexual abuse leading to a feeling of “normalcy”.

Substance Abuse

Often people assume that a woman is in the commercial sex industry to support a drug habit. And while five out of ten participants in this study shared struggles with addiction, it is important to note that all indicated that the drugs and alcohol were used as a coping mechanism in response to working in the sex industry.

This again lines up with other studies that have been done. While, on occasion, someone will enter into the commercial sex industry to support an already existing drug habit this is not what is typically found. It is often used by an exploiter as a coercive tactic or a way to control a victim.

Next, we will look at some factors that contribute to the exit/reentry cycle. If you have any questions or want to go deeper in your learning, please reach out – tanya@shessomebodysdaughter.org