Report: Sex Workers’ Experiences of the Cost of Living Crisis
19 December 2022
Across our recent research, NUM has been asking sex workers about their experiences of the cost of living crisis.
7 in 10 sex workers said that they were directly experiencing negative impacts as a result of the cost of living crisis. This is not only due to the increased cost of essentials and work supplies, but a decrease in the number of clients, and the increase in power imbalances between the two as clients demand more services for less money.
43% of sex workers in London said that the increase in prices was making it impossible to manage financially. Sex workers across the UK reported needing to find additional or more stable sources of income, within and outside of sex work.
“I’ve taken up a full-time ‘straight’ job because I felt it would be more stable as things get worse. I will continue [sex work] on the side”
Read the full report here.
These results are drawn from:
- Leaving The Game, our research project exploring the interactions between sex work and mainstream work with sex workers in London
- Our needs assessment for NUMbrella Lane, exploring the needs of sex workers in Scotland
- Our members’ survey, seeking feedback on NUM services from sex workers across the UK
Our research highlights both the need for greater support for all those struggling, and the need for sex worker-specific services to serve the community.
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