What The Future Holds For Sex Workers
By: Zoe Jaspers
Tags: Sex Workers, Sex Work, Decriminalization, Sex Worker Rights, Feminism

Sex work has always been a part of our society.

From its birth in the ancient past to its online-dominated present, it has watched sex workers live through a remarkable journey. Facing stigma, unsafe working conditions, and a lonely life, it’s safe to say that sex work has never been easy. But there are some important changes underway.

But what will these changes be? And how will they unfold?

Most would like to see a brighter, safer future for sex workers. Me, included. With technology and progression at the heart of these modern movements, the future is sure to be interesting, at least.

Breaking Down The Stigma On Sex Work

As a sex worker a few years ago, there was one thing I could say with absolute certainty: there is a huge stigma surrounding sex workers.

Earlier this year, I wrote about how important it is to break the sex work stigma, and it’s something I still stand by today. As one of the most heavily stigmatised industries, it has felt like the stigma at times has been impossible to breakdown. Leading to loneliness and unsafe workspaces, this stigma has been at the root of sex worker discrimination.

Thankfully, recent years have shown just how much attitudes towards sex work has changed. People are finally accepting that kinks exist, that sex is a natural part of life, and that it is OK to enjoy it. They are learning that not everyone in sex work is damaged, that safe sex is the norm, and that you can still be a feminist and a sex worker.

The list goes on and on. And while attitudes are definitely heading in the right direction, there is still a long way to go.

If the future looks anything like today, we’ll hopefully see the stigma being smashed even more.

A Safer Place To Work For Sex Workers

With this broken stigma comes a safer place to work. The more people talk about sex work without taboo, the more people realise that sex workers are people. They deserve to feel safe in the same way you and I do, and that’s a promise the future holds close to its roots.

We hear constantly of the horrors sex workers experience when they are on shift. From grizzly murders to daily sexual assault, the past rarely gave sex workers somewhere they could truly feel safe. Some of these problems still exist today. The difference is that steps are finally being taken by lawmakers and activists to prioritise sex worker safety.

But how is it safer? And what more can be done?

Due to the various spaces that sex workers work in, safety is difficult to measure. Many improvements lie in the online spaces, where online sex workers can benefit from a whole host of advanced security features. These protections mean that their personal details won’t get into the hands of some unruly fans.

It doesn’t stop there. Many would agree there’s still a long way to go, with one of the biggest calls coming from the sex worker community to decriminalise sex work. This way, laws won’t be rigged against sex workers but will be there to protect them from any harm.

Independence, Autonomy, Power Within The Sex Industry

When people think of sex work, they often think of Victorian brothels with red, velvet curtains, and a sisterhood of sex workers. Though this is one of the oldest images in the book, it’s one that has been fed to us from the big screen for years. It’s also one that is quickly melting out of accuracy.

Centuries later would find sex workers branching out from escorting. With adult movies, erotic magazines and phone girls dominating much of the 20th Century. But these workers were still often linked to agencies, which would promise protection in exchange for a cut of the profit made.

Today marks a stark but welcome contrast. Many modern sex workers run their own business, without the help of an agency. Sometimes from the comfort of their own home. Sometimes balancing their own books. Though harder to face on their own, there is one incredible trade-off: autonomy.

And this is only expected to rise in the future, especially as specialised websites, social media, and apps allow sex workers to build their business and make a living- all on their own.

Embracing Technology Within The World Of Sex Work

Like every other workspace, sex work is also being affected by new technology.

When I was a sex worker, there was no such thing as virtual reality and realistic sex dolls. There may have been a new vibrator model every now and then, but it seems to be a whole new ball game these days.

This emerging change means two things: there may be new, different jobs for sex workers to go into, and that escorts might be asked to bring this new technology into the bedroom. Either way, it’s bound to add some more fun and variation to the sex work community.

The best part is that the possibilities here are endless. From virtual reality sessions to robot-based fantasies, there is new inspiration available to adult movie makers, escorts, and business moguls. It’s a way of allowing punters to access their deepest fantasies, offering a heightened experience for everyone involved.

Sure, it’s a lot to learn. Sex workers will need to navigate these new systems, but the payoff is huge in the long run. Not to mention the job opportunities this could open up for people.

And then there is safety to consider. Technology doesn’t just bring fun to punters, but allows sex workers to keep their autonomy online. With protections in place, it’s one less thing to worry about when a sex worker is on the grind.