How to talk about prostitution using humane language?

[DJLippy]

When I talk about the sex industry I want to reject langauge such as "sex workers." However, I realise that referring to women as prostitutes can be dehumanising. Its a small thing but using langauge like "prostituted women" helps. I want to use words carefully. How can we reframe the debate and be more mindful of the power of words?

Talk about the men as much as possible - pimps, punters, johns, rapists, scum.

I was about to say what Karabair said. Always turn it back onto the men - the pimps and punters - because these are the bad guys here.

Also listen to what women like Rachel Moran use by way of language. How do women who've escaped prostitution talk about their experiences?

Maybe the best phrase is "women who men use in prostitution".

It’s hard.
Personally, I tend to use scare quotes, as in sex ‘industry’ and refer to women engaged in or escaping from prostitution, rather than prostitutes.

I never use ‘sex worker’ because it muddies the waters too much - if people are given the opportunity to think of the more respectable, legal activities that can fit under that banner (stripping, phone sex lines etc) then that’s where their minds will go.
Not a criticism, btw, just an observation. Most people don’t want to dwell on the worst aspects of anything, out of mental health preservation, probably.

It helps to state the sex when referring to specific types of people.

It irritates me when the media describes a criminal with no reference to the likely sex of the individual.

Eg
Gangs of youths = males
Burglars = males
Vandals = males
Perpetrators (!) = males

I could go on forever, but when crimes are done by women.
They say purposely say women.

Men hide.
Women are exposed.

By using the term prostituted women.

The meaning is clear.

Then we should use the term male rapist, and male for everything else that they do.
Then we can start to really see who the 'perpetrators' are.

What if women choose to do full service sex work of their own accord? Then they’re not being pimped out. I agree that in a perfect world people wouldn’t need to do it but we live in a capitalist society and people do choose to do it. Surely decriminalising and regulating the industry would make it safer for the women involved?

Choice isn’t made in a vacuum. A large percentage of women (and men) engaged in prostitution are survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

Decriminalisation and regulation have increased demand (and subsequently the numbers of trafficked women) in every county that has tried it. The Nordic model (decriminalisation for those actually selling sex but prosecution for the johns that buy it and the pimps and brothel owners who profit from it) is the only way to both protect vulnerable women and decrease demand.

Prostitution isn’t just harmful for those actively engaged in it but for rest of society too - Just look at the ‘managed zone’ in Leeds.

20 years ago I participated in prostitution and I most definitely do not want my daughter to grow up in a society where the purchasing of women for sex is legally condoned. I don’t want anyone else’s daughter (or son) to do so either.

What are their other choices NarcoNympho (awful name BTW).

"Full-service" sounds like punter speak.