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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Feminism: chat

Original poster

Prostitution and poverty

39 replies

mspenguin · 18/09/2013 22:54

I am a survivor of prostitution. I want to go back into it as I have no money. The men I am thinking of propositioning are in their 60s/70s. I am a radical feminist.

Will I do harm to other women if I carry this through?

I have no other means of making money. I rely on benefits but it is not enough.

I am thinking that the men who I might target wouldn't change anyway.

OP posts:
NiceTabard · 18/09/2013 23:07

Which part of the country do you live in? What is your home situation (children / care responsibilities)?

You don't need to be specific but if you put the gist of your situation - circs, which benefits and so on, I am sure that people will be able to come up with helpful advice. You are not alone, with the cuts, according to some stories in the press recently.

NiceTabard · 18/09/2013 23:08

And there are charities that can help, esp. if you have dependants Smile

Original poster
mspenguin · 18/09/2013 23:11

I'm in London. No dependants.
On JSA.

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Original poster
mspenguin · 18/09/2013 23:14

I feel desperate and hypocritcal.

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Original poster
mspenguin · 18/09/2013 23:22

I have already FBd a man who I know will pay. Just want to be talked out of it I guess.

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Original poster
mspenguin · 18/09/2013 23:26

Can someone please help me?

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Darkesteyes · 18/09/2013 23:58

OP I took sex chatline work back in 2001 after being on New Deal/workfare i had a choice I had already done workfare in a charity shop and for my local council for my JSA Then those bastards at Reed/Pelcombe wanted me to do 3 months in a soup factory for my JSA The only PAID job i was being offered was in a sex chatline office so these were the only 2 choices i had therefore i took the chatline job. The common denominator here is that we were both on workfare type programmes I bet there is no data to show how many women have turned to sex work after experiences on these programmes JOSEPH ROWNTREE how about doing a survey.!!! I remember your thread from last year. A lot of people on that board were awful to you. Im sorry you are going through this... I have no children either and this DOES affect how you are treated by the system.

Original poster
mspenguin · 19/09/2013 00:08

Thank you Darkest. There were very few people supporting me on that thread. I know why, and I know I was being a bit 'bravado' about things.

I am really desperate now. I have nothing.

I don't want to take any sex work that would hurt other women.

Help!

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NiceTabard · 19/09/2013 00:10

OK I can't read all of your other thread.

Desperate times etc.

Is there no-where you can cut back? What is your living situation - renting? Can you move? Are you in council accommodation?

I don't know.

Can you go to CAB or post fuller details maybe under a different name if you want on the finance threads? I am really sorry I can't think what to suggest.

FloraFox · 19/09/2013 00:18

mspenguin I don't have any useful advice for your practical situation but you said on the other thread that working in Wetherspoons caused MH problems for you because men were asking to see your tits. I hope you are taking care of yourself and bear in mind harm to yourself.

Original poster
mspenguin · 19/09/2013 00:32

Yes, most service jobs cause flashbacks.

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Original poster
mspenguin · 19/09/2013 00:34

And I really don't like the term 'tits'.

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Darkesteyes · 19/09/2013 00:37

Just wanted to clarify i quite enjoyed the chatline job while i was there and made some great friends.
It was the pressure from the JC to keep working for no wage that i objected to.
What if a vulnerable person ends up taking a job in this industry because of things like this. This is where i have a problem with it.

Original poster
mspenguin · 19/09/2013 00:39

And I got increasingly drunk on that thread by the way; I was at home alone asking for help. I know now that AIBU was probably not the best subforum.

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Original poster
mspenguin · 19/09/2013 00:42

The JC has not tried to force me into any sex jobs.

I could easily go back.

But I object morally and politically.

And yet, food prices and such are ridiculous!

The appeal of selling my body again vs principles....

As I said, can somebody talk me out of it

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Darkesteyes · 19/09/2013 00:44

No the JC didnt force me either. But the chatline one was paid and the soup factory one wasnt so its a no brainer.

FloraFox · 19/09/2013 00:44

I don't like that word either. You used it on the other thread.

Darkesteyes · 19/09/2013 00:47

What kind of courses/placements have you been doing on the Work programme OP

Original poster
mspenguin · 19/09/2013 00:50

Flora: did I? I may have been quoting the blokes if I did. I don't use the term myself.

I haven't been sent on any courses or placements.

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Original poster
mspenguin · 19/09/2013 00:54

Darkest:

I have yet to see a job I could do that would put me in a better situation. Minimum wage leaves me £20 better off, but after travel, worse off.

Not to mention time.

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Original poster
mspenguin · 19/09/2013 00:56

I can envisage many posts against me in the morning.

Ok, but can anyone advise me?

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Original poster
mspenguin · 19/09/2013 00:59

Do really feel like ending things now.

Have posted here before under a few names.

Not quite sure if there is any other avenue left.

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HappyGoLuckyGirl · 19/09/2013 01:30

okay, so you want to be talked out of it?

Don't do it, you obviously have a massive problem with the emotional side of it and it will most likely have a detrimental impact on your mental health.

I don't think it's a good idea for anyone to prostitute whilst under duress (pressure from someone else or dire financial circumstances).

Could you perhaps move into shares accommodation? Get a lodger? Use food banks?

BuffytheReasonableFeminist · 19/09/2013 09:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.