The Sex Industry: A Job Like Any Other?

TUC Conference fringe event“What would you do if your son was at home
Crying all alone on the bedroom floor
‘Cause he’s hungry?
And the only way to feed him is to
Sleep with a man for a little bit of money” [City High]What did you want to be when you grew up? A train driver? A hairdresser, or maybe a teacher? Perhaps you thought you could be a famous actor or model? Chances are you didn’t see yourself eking out a living in risky or downright dangerous situations where your body was used for endless men’s sexual gratification.In the British trade union movement, the idea that prostitution can be a normal job, where you choose your hours and your ‘clients’, has become prevalent. But is it really? When you scrape off the sugar-coating, many of the things we expect in the workplace, like career progression, standard health and safety provisions and protection from harassment simply do not exist. Who does it benefit when we position prostitution as regular work?Come along to this event to hear from survivors and support workers about the reality of prostitution, the dangers of considering it a normal job, and why fully decriminalising the prostitution industry is not the solution.This is a TUC Conference fringe event, but all are welcome whether you are a member or not.Venue to be sent through email.