The full report on sex workers’ experiences of Visual Violence can be found here!

About the Project

The internet has enabled sex workers to connect with customers, sell physical sex and sexual content, and form friendships and communities; however, with this comes an element of risk. Images can be used against sex workers to cause harm.

What We Want to Know

This research is deliberately broad and guided by sex workers and allies. We want to define what visual violence is and how it affects sex workers in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.

We aim to understand how sex workers’ lives are affected by the non-consensual sharing of sexual and non-sexual images and the impacts of having images shared without permission.

Who We Are Partnering With

This research is conducted in a participatory manner in collaboration with sex worker organisations. We are proud to partner with Umbrella Lane (UL), the English Collective of Prostitutes (ECP), Sex Worker Advocacy and Resistance Movement (SWARM), Sex Workers Alliance Ireland (SWAI) and individuals from under-represented groups.

Key dates and how you can get involved

Planning and development with partners of this research project started on 15th April 2021 and will end on 15th October.

• Research interviews and surveys will commence on 4th June 2021 and run until 1st August 2021.
•  Survey participants will be provided with a £15 gift card.
• We will be conducting interviews as part of this study. Sex workers with experience of visual violence can contact researchers using the email below. Interview participants will be provided with £50 gift cards as a thank you.

If you are a sex worker who would like more information about this project please contact us at visualviolence@nationaluglymugs.org We’d love to hear from you.

Twitter: #VisualViolence2021