A new study from researchers at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC) challenges common beliefs about sex work and reveals the complex and often painful experiences of women who engage in it.
Led by Professor Josep Maria Tamarit, an expert in criminal law and victimology, the study shows that over 90% of women in sex work see it as their only option for survival.
The study was published in the Revista de Derecho Penal y Criminología and is part of a broader project exploring the violence and victimization experienced by people in sex work, including both women and men.
The researchers also looked at how the criminal justice system responds to crimes related to sex work.
To better understand the realities of sex workers, the research team interviewed 76 women, including cisgender and trans women, working in Barcelona and two other cities in Catalonia.
Most of the women—84%—were immigrants, especially from Latin America and Eastern Europe.
While their backgrounds were diverse, with many having completed secondary or even university education, they shared a common story: working in sex work out of necessity, not choice.
The interviews showed that nearly all the women—about 90%—had experienced violence while doing sex work.
This included physical, sexual, or psychological abuse from clients or pimps. Many had also been victims of violence earlier in life, such as childhood sexual abuse or domestic violence.
Regular drug use was another troubling pattern. About two-thirds of the women used drugs, often pushed by clients or to cope with the stress of their work.
Only 30% of the women had been trafficked or forced into sex work. The rest entered the profession voluntarily, though usually due to financial desperation.
Many had tried to leave sex work, but 89% said they were unsuccessful. Most said they continue because they can’t find other work that pays enough to support themselves.
The study also focused on the experiences of 26 trans women. Unlike cis women, who mostly entered sex work for financial reasons, trans women sometimes entered it to affirm their gender identity or because they enjoyed it at first.
However, many trans women said they were pushed into sex work because discrimination made it difficult to find other jobs. A concerning number—61%—said they began sex work as minors, much higher than the 20% of cis women who said the same. Trans women also reported more health problems from their work.
Despite the harms, most women did not support banning sex work. Only 17% wanted it banned, while half believed it should be regulated to improve safety and gain social recognition. Many said legal protection would make the work less dangerous and help them feel respected.
Professor Tamarit emphasized that political decisions must be based on real data, not stereotypes. Many women want to leave sex work, but they also want the freedom to do it safely if they need to.
The study calls for honest, informed debate about sex work policy—one that puts evidence and human dignity first.
Source: KSR.
