2020 and 2021 were packed with significant events. Brexit, Covid, the cost of living crisis and more. Combined, they have drastically changed the circumstances of many people sex working in the UK.
This research is intended to find out about the relationship sex workers experience between sex work and mainstream work, as well as surrounding issues such as education and financial support. We hope to use this research to develop our services to support sex workers in making decisions about their working practices which will help them to best achieve their future goals in education and employment within and outside of sex work.
We will look at how circumstances, policies and national living costs have had a major impact on the decisions that individuals make. This will also inform our policy and advocacy in relation to employment, benefits, housing and health.
Through previous research, it has been determined that besides social and political changes, sex workers would benefit from support applying for benefits, mental health support, advice with CVs, cover letters and interviews, legal advice and support with finding mainstream work.
Any services would need to be designed or heavily informed by sex workers with experience in moving from sex work to mainstream work, and need to be pro-sex workers’ rights.
This research is linked to our Changing the Game project, as we develop specialist vocational support services for sex workers.
This 2022 survey heard from sex workers of any type, or anyone who has engaged in sex work since January 2020, who are also living or working in London. Participants contributed their expertise in a number of ways:
Interviews and focus groups were conducted by a UK-based sex worker in our research team, and all data was transcribed and stored on NUM’s secure server. Participants were compensated with £50 vouchers.
As a result of the incredible insights and experience and significant support for this project, NUM has been able to launch our Vocational Support Service. Thank you to all members of the community who helped to develop this service.
