Sex work is one of the oldest professions in the world, yet it remains heavily stigmatized and misunderstood. This stigma doesn’t just harm sex workers; it impacts all women by reinforcing harmful stereotypes, perpetuating inequality, and undermining women’s rights. Here’s how the stigmatization of sex workers harms all women and what we can do to combat it.

The Far-Reaching Impact of Stigmatization

1. Reinforcing Harmful Stereotypes:
The stigma attached to sex work often reinforces the notion that women are either pure and virtuous or immoral and tainted. This binary thinking limits women’s identities and experiences, forcing them into restrictive roles. It perpetuates the idea that women’s worth is tied to their sexual behavior, a harmful stereotype that affects all women, regardless of their profession.

2. Perpetuating Violence and Exploitation:
Stigmatization leads to marginalization, making sex workers more vulnerable to violence and exploitation. When society deems sex workers as less deserving of protection and rights, it sends a message that some women’s safety and dignity are negotiable. This marginalization contributes to a culture where violence against women, in general, is more likely to be overlooked or dismissed.

3. Undermining Women’s Rights:
When sex workers are denied basic human rights and legal protections, it sets a dangerous precedent that certain groups of women can be excluded from justice and equality. This erosion of rights can extend to other areas of women’s lives, undermining the broader fight for gender equality and women’s rights.

4. Creating Barriers to Healthcare:
Stigma prevents sex workers from accessing essential healthcare services, leading to higher rates of untreated health issues. This not only harms sex workers but also impacts public health. When any group is denied healthcare, it affects the overall health and wellbeing of the community.

Real-Life Systematic Injustice Against Women for Sexual Punishment

Women have faced significant repercussions for their sexual behavior or perceived sexual behavior, often resulting in systematic injustices. Here are a few examples highlighting how society punishes women in various areas, from financial stability to child custody:

1. Loss of Financial Services:

Chase Bank, Wells Fargo, US Bank, Bank Of America… and Sex Workers:
In recent years, hundreds of thousands of sex workers and individuals involved in the adult entertainment industry have reported having their bank accounts closed without warning by major financial institutions like Chase Bank and others. These closures often occur without clear explanations, leaving affected individuals without access to their funds and struggling to manage their finances. This discrimination is rooted in the stigmatization of sex work, penalizing women for their involvement in the industry.

2. Loss of Child Custody:

Sharon Stone:
Actress Sharon Stone famously lost custody of her children in part due to her role in the movie “Basic Instinct.” In a 2004 custody battle, a judge ruled that her portrayal of a sexually liberated character was inappropriate, using it as a basis to question her fitness as a mother. This case underscores how women’s professional choices, especially in roles involving sexuality, can be unfairly used against them in family courts.

Sara Kruzan:
Sara Kruzan, a survivor of child sex trafficking who was sentenced to life without parole for killing her trafficker, faced severe systemic injustices. After serving 19 years in prison, her sentence was commuted, but she struggled to regain custody of her daughter. Her past exploitation and subsequent punishment were used against her in custody decisions, illustrating the ongoing punishment of survivors of sexual violence.

3. Repercussions in Employment:

Public Shaming and Career Damage:
Women in high-profile careers often face public shaming and career damage due to perceived sexual behavior. For example, women in politics, like former Congresswoman Katie Hill, have faced career-ending consequences due to leaked intimate photos and accusations of inappropriate relationships. Hill resigned after her private life was exposed, showing how sexual punishment can be used to dismantle a woman’s career and reputation.

Janet Jackson:
During the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show, Janet Jackson faced significant backlash and career consequences following a wardrobe malfunction that exposed her breast. While her male counterpart, Justin Timberlake, faced zero repercussions, Jackson experienced public shaming, was blacklisted from many radio stations and TV networks, and faced years of career setbacks. This incident highlights the double standards and harsh penalties women face for sexual expression or mishaps.

4. Legal and Social Penalties:

Sexual Behavior Used in Court:
In custody and divorce cases, women’s sexual behavior is often scrutinized and used against them, even when irrelevant to their parenting abilities. Courts have historically penalized women for having sexual relationships outside of marriage or for being involved in the adult entertainment industry, affecting custody and alimony decisions. This judicial bias perpetuates the idea that women’s sexual behavior is a valid criterion for their ability to parent or deserve financial support.

Victim-Blaming in Sexual Assault Cases:
Women who report sexual assault often face victim-blaming, where their sexual history is used against them in court. This practice deters many women from coming forward and seeking justice, perpetuating a cycle of silence and impunity for perpetrators. High-profile cases, such as the cross-examination of rape survivors regarding their sexual past, illustrate how the legal system can further victimize women.

5. Housing Discrimination

Housing discrimination is a pervasive issue that significantly impacts sex workers and, by extension, all women. Many sex workers face barriers when seeking housing due to stigma and stereotypes associated with their profession. Landlords often deny rental applications or evict tenants based on their occupation, regardless of their ability to pay rent or maintain the property. This discrimination not only jeopardizes the stability and safety of sex workers but also perpetuates a broader culture of inequality and vulnerability for women.

For instance, consider Maria, a single mother working as a freelance graphic designer who occasionally supplements her income through sex work. Despite her ability to afford rent, she has been turned away by several landlords upon revealing her side occupation. Similarly, Jane, a full-time office manager who once engaged in sex work years ago, was evicted from her apartment when her past was disclosed by a neighbor. Even Emma, a young college student who never engaged in sex work but was falsely rumored to have done so, faced repeated rejections when trying to secure off-campus housing. These real-life examples highlight how discrimination against sex workers spills over, affecting everyday women by forcing them into unsafe living conditions or compelling them to hide their past or present to secure housing. Addressing housing discrimination is crucial for ensuring that all women, regardless of their occupation or perceived reputation, have equal access to safe and stable living environments.

What Everyday Women Can Do to Reduce Stigma

1. Educate Yourself and Others:
Understanding the realities of sex work and the impact of stigma is the first step toward change. Educate yourself about the legal, social, and economic factors that influence sex work. Share this knowledge with others to foster a more informed and compassionate society.

2. Advocate for Legal Protections:
Support policies and legislation that protect the rights of sex workers. This includes advocating for decriminalization, which can help ensure that sex workers have access to legal protections and can report violence without fear of arrest.

3. Challenge Stereotypes and Misconceptions:
Challenge harmful stereotypes and language that perpetuate stigma. Speak out against jokes, comments, and media representations that demean sex workers. Promote positive and accurate portrayals of sex workers in media and public discourse.

4. Support Organizations and Initiatives:
Support organizations that work to protect and advocate for the rights of sex workers. This can include donating to, volunteering with, or amplifying the voices of groups that provide support, resources, and advocacy for sex workers.

5. Foster Empathy and Respect:
Treat sex workers with the same respect and dignity you would afford anyone else. Understand that sex work is a choice for many, a means of survival for others, but likely a combination of choice and the only means of financial security for many. Empathy and respect go a long way in reducing stigma and promoting equality.

6. Protect Privacy and Confidentiality:
Respect the privacy and confidentiality of sex workers. Many face severe consequences if their profession is revealed due to societal judgment. By protecting their privacy, you help create a safer environment for them.

7. Engage in Intersectional Feminism:
Understand that the fight for women’s rights is interconnected. Supporting sex workers’ rights is integral to the broader struggle for gender equality. Embrace an intersectional approach to feminism that recognizes and advocates for the rights of all women, including sex workers.

Conclusion

The stigmatization of sex workers is not an isolated issue; it is a broader societal problem that affects all women by reinforcing harmful stereotypes, perpetuating violence, and undermining rights. By taking steps to reduce stigma and advocate for sex workers’ rights, everyday women can help create a more just and equitable society for everyone. Together, we can challenge the systems that harm women and work towards a future where all women, regardless of their profession, are respected, protected, and valued.