Sex Work Case Study

Sex work also known as world’s “oldest profession” has become a debatable topic in the modern-day society. Numerous efforts have been made by the Canadian government to control the sex-trade. Sex work and related acts are constantly criticised by the society. According to Statistic Canada, 78% of sex workers are women, 16% are men and 6% are other genders. Sex work is defined as "the give-and-take of sexual services, acts or products for materialistic benefits. For example, sex work includes direct physical contact and indirect sexual stimulus." (Weitzer, Sex for Sale, 2010) Specifically, sex workers are males, females, transsexuals and transgendered individuals who take material compensation in exchange for erotic services. (Over, 2002) Prostitution

This paper will attempt to sequentially explain sex work and marginalization and stigmatization at work, media and the law while analytically interpreting seven sources. The thesis is enquiry worthy because the state intentionally turns back on sex work and related issues. Firstly, media is dehumanising sex workers leading to marginalisation. Secondly, several efforts made by the state to “protect” sex workers indirectly oppress them. Lastly, sex work is not treated as a work like “any other job” comparing to Marxist Perspective. Additionally, I will argue in in favor of sex work as a victimless crime and offer approaches to combat stigmatization. The stigma and violence cause more damage than sex work itself. Many individuals have an unclear knowledge of the term “stigma” or “stigmatization”. According to Dr. Laura Harris, sex work carries a major stigma regardless of its

The diverse opinions of the sex workers are needed when creating policies and laws. Sex workers have been through life-threatening experiences and their views matters. Sex Workers face various kinds of abuses such as rape, blackmail, random arrest and custody, imprisonment, persecution, bias, forced health examination etc. State policies have made efforts to protect sex workers from violence, exploitation, and oppression. Although, the government failed to provide easy access to healthcare, education and employment opportunities. Sex workers should be able to self-represent in the media. Supporting sex workers and promoting an accurate non-exploitative image is necessary. Anti-sex workers argue that abolitionism and whore-stigma is a result of patriarchy i.e. a method where male overpower female population. Men categorize women sex workers into the “good” or the “bad”. However, slut-bashing, criticizing victims, and culture of sexual aggression demonstrates whore-stigma is still attached to nonsex workers. Decriminalization of all sex work acts could possibly eliminate whore stigma and acknowledge sex work as