How do intersecting identitiesâ€"gender, race, nationalityâ€"shape risk exposure within escort work?
The nature of sex work means that people who sell their bodies for sex are often subject to higher levels of violence than those engaged in other professions.
It is also true that there can be significant differences between individuals in terms of how much risk they are exposed to. It is important to understand the factors that contribute to these disparities, such as gender identity, race, and nationality. This essay will explore some of these issues using data from interviews with sex workers in Berlin.
Gender Identity
Gender identity plays an important role in determining how risky escort work can be.
Male escorts tend to have less physical risk than female escorts because they do not usually offer sexual services. Instead, they may provide companionship or conversation. As one interviewee put it, "There's more psychological stress in seeing the guy I just gave $1500 to cry in his car than there is in being punched." Male escorts are therefore less likely to face the kinds of threats that can lead to physical injury.
Trans women and non-binary persons often experience greater danger due to the combination of stigma around transness and stereotypes about sex workers. One trans escort explains, "It's like double jeopardy. We're both seen as 'fake' women and whores." Because of this, they may be attacked physically by clients who refuse to accept them as authentic females, and they may also encounter harassment and violence from police officers and social service providers who view them as criminals.
Cisgender women face unique dangers associated with their gender. Clients may see them as objects of desire and attempt to dominate them through violent behavior. They may also fear retaliation from clients for refusing to engage in certain activities, such as unprotected anal sex. This leaves them vulnerable to coercion and abuse.
Race and Nationality
Race and nationality also influence how dangerous escort work can be. People who belong to racial minorities may be targeted by clients who have prejudiced attitudes toward them, leading to increased risks. One Black sex worker recounts, "Sometimes you get a client who wants to do things that go beyond the call of duty. It's not just sexual, it's racist too, because he thinks I'm going to put up with anything he does." These experiences are compounded by social conditions that make people more likely to turn to sex work out of economic necessity: discrimination in employment, housing, and education.
People from countries outside Europe or North America may also face greater danger due to language barriers and lack of knowledge about local laws and customs.
One Polish woman says, "I don't know if I would trust police here. They might arrest me even though I didn't break any law." This means that they must rely on others for safety information, which can be hard to obtain when many workers are isolated and marginalized.
Intersectionality is important for understanding risk exposure within sex work because it shows that identities combine in complex ways to create unique experiences. Escorts should therefore advocate for policies and practices that take this into account, such as anti-discrimination measures and better training for police officers on transgender issues.
We need to recognize the diversity of sex workers' situations and support them in finding safe and empowering work environments.
How do intersecting identities—gender, race, nationality—shape risk exposure within escort work?
The intersection of gender, race, and nationality shapes risk exposure within escort work as these factors influence how individuals are perceived by clients and potential customers, their willingness to engage in risky behavior, and their ability to negotiate for safer working conditions. Race and nationality play an important role in shaping perceptions of escorts and the type of services they provide, with some clients preferring specific ethnicities or nationalities over others.