It is clear that financial reasons for sex work are the most important. Surprisingly, almost 40% say they enjoy this type of work. About a third of women offer sexual services for altruistic reasons, because they want to help. Therefore, sex work obviously also responds to very personal reasons; sex work can increase self-esteem, allow the person to be in control of themselves, give a feeling of power (p. 149). In a study conducted by Koken (2012), the researcher addresses prostitution as a form of paid work that women may choose to engage in in circumstances ranging from luxurious to destitute. The study results showed that women expressed feelings of pride in their work, their bodies, and their ability to use sex work to financially stabilize their lives. Sex work has also been described as an effective way to supplement meager incomes resulting from mental or physical disabilities; and sentiments were expressed confirming positive attention from customers who valued appearances and did not view customers as “disabled” or “pathological.” A research project conducted in Canada in 2001 by Benoit and Millar found that after speaking to 201 currently active adult workers about their experiences in the sex industry, all respondents said they “struggle to resist the popular portrayal that they are portrays them as mere victims. Despite past and present difficulties, they describe themselves as active agents with varying degrees of control over their work and health. More than anything, this report aims to validate the action of interviewees, to give them a voice and the opportunity to be heard. “Unfortunately, even happy sex workers are not free from violence and assault. Given the amount of violence reported and suffered by sex workers...... half of the document ......var hypothesizes that the government should "treat adult women who become prostitutes as adults capable of making choices on their own own". screw. Stop trying to impose moral or social values on us” (Procon.org, 2013). Sex workers often fear going to the police for fear of being arrested. “It's difficult to go to someone who arrested you the night before and say: look, I need your help, my life is in danger. They fear that if they report it, they will be arrested for solicitation” (Benoit, 2012). This is a reality for these women who must rely on themselves to be protected. “Police officers complain that the revolving door of arrest, punishment and return to the same community means the problem is never really solved.” (Jeffrey and McDonald, 2006); with this in mind it's time to start finding solutions that can help both the community and sex workers.
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