I used to be a prostitute AMA

[AMAnamechange28]

Name changed for this obviously. AMA

What was your motivation ? Choice or necessity?

What made you stop?

That's a tricky one. I would have said it was my choice at the time but I was 17 when I entered, was from a v middle class family but I didn't live with them (out of choice). It wasn't technically a necessity as my family hadn't thrown me out but I couldn't bear to be there as they were abusive.

How much did you earn on average? Disk you work independently or did you have a boss/pimp?

TRIGGER WARNING

I stopped because a customer tried to kill me, or at least I think that's what he was going to do (he strangled me until I passed out). And it had all got too depressing by that point anyway

How long were you working as a prostitute? Did you work from your own home?

Oh, goodness. I'm glad he didn't manage to do that, OP.

I didn't earn a lot. 120-200 an hour but bookings were sporadic and I also spent a hell of a lot. And 30%went to the website that hosted me (adult work), I was very naive at the time and thought that was just an admin fee but I realise now it was going straight into the pocket of a pimp.

I did it for about 4 years on and off with stripping/lap dancing in the off times. Never worked from my home, I worked for an online agency which would send me to mens homes and hotels. I also breifly worked for a 'hostess club' (code for fancy smanchy brothel) and would occasionally get customers from the lap dancing clubs I worked in (men would always ask for extras)

Oh god OP that’s awful! I hope you got justice.

Did you ever do street work?

What do you think the best way is to help women in prostitution? (Sorry if that’s patronising, I mean to avoid them being in a near death situation like yours)

Was it just old men or were there some real, good looking blokes.

What would you say to the people that say prostitution is empowering?

Thanks Timeout! My main motivation for doing his post was a conversation with a friend today where she mentioned that, in public/the culture, we rarely hear from women who have exited prostitution, only from those still in it and their supporters

Was there anything at all that you enjoyed / didn't mind about the job, looking back? Or was it all just total shit, and you'd say avoid-avoid-avoid?

What was your most quirky client?

At the time, did you hate doing it? Looking back on it now, do you think it damaged you psychologically?

What was it like to sleep with someone for money? Do you ever enjoy it? Does it feel disgusting? We’re the men clean??

Are you in favour of state registered brothels? The idea of women going into men's homes is terrifying.

Did you ever fall pregnant?

What's the weirdest thing you had to do?

Have you/would you tell a serious relationship partner?

Do you regret it OP? What’s your relationship like with sex?

Oh gosh! How awful for you OP! That must have been very scary, did you report him to the police?

Occasionally there would be a young good looking bloke. Mostly old or middle aged men.

@MrsLoganEcholls I would say it is empowering for the men who get to pay for sex without consequence!

I never did street work, i have a lot of privilege (class and i am white) and have observed that women like me tend to end up hidden away in the up market brothels and online agencies. I couldn't say which is worse or safer, both are inherently grim and dangerous. But I think street prostitutes find it harder to exit as they often have drug and alcohol issues and are homeless and dont have privilege to fall back on (I'm over generalising)

I think the answer to the question of how to help women is v complex and difficult. It depends a lot on what other issues they have (e.g. drugs, alcohol, homelessness, in my case mental health and child sex abuse trauma which lead me into it) I think we should be more aware that child sex abuse makes women very vulnerable to entering prostitution

Do you think that legalising sex work would make it safer?