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I was once close to becoming a radical feminist - or at least Nordic Model supporter.
After having been assaulted, I was angry and wanted to rid the world of prostitution. I hated clients, and wanted to prevent more harm to sex workers by them.
(THREAD)
After having been assaulted, I was angry and wanted to rid the world of prostitution. I hated clients, and wanted to prevent more harm to sex workers by them.
(THREAD)
It was enticing to hear people say 'criminalise the client and not the worker' because it meant I got off without a criminal record but I could avoid the client. This all sounded very nice, and almost like a catchy strap line that cured all my ills.
However, I realised this is illogical and selfish. I may not like the client, but I depend on them for income - as do thousands of other sex workers.
Also, I realised that criminalising the client doesn't tackle the reasons why I became a sex worker to begin with.
Also, I realised that criminalising the client doesn't tackle the reasons why I became a sex worker to begin with.
I looked at other NM countries and realised they didn't implement the infrastructure they promised such as exit programmes, housing, etc... and knew it stood no chance in Austerity Britain - sex workers are the last thing a Tory gov cares about. It is a pipe dream.
Now think to the client again - he may get a criminal record but I will still be a sex worker. How does this help me?
I soon realised the reality of it is, and how I mentally imagine the NM, is someone strangling my income until I buckle and beg for help.
I soon realised the reality of it is, and how I mentally imagine the NM, is someone strangling my income until I buckle and beg for help.
This is what they really want from me, to leave sex work because I'm so destitute and poor, I have no choice but to depend on others for help, which was forced by policy.
Me and my stubbornness hate asking for help. If you're a migrant sex worker, it might be dangerous to.
Me and my stubbornness hate asking for help. If you're a migrant sex worker, it might be dangerous to.
Then I realised, I'm not expected to like the client, who seems to be the main focus of the Nordic Model. I can call him a prick and that's okay, but I still rely on him for income.
I then noticed that NM supporters are anti client, not pro sex workers.
I then noticed that NM supporters are anti client, not pro sex workers.
This is around the time I became disillusioned because they didnt care about me, they just hated the client.
Where are the radfems campaigning against Universal Credit, cuts in drug services, poor housing, homelessness, or when we are fired from our job for being a sex worker?
Where are the radfems campaigning against Universal Credit, cuts in drug services, poor housing, homelessness, or when we are fired from our job for being a sex worker?
They soon disappear. They're not trying to break down barriers so we can access services like counselling.
I also then realised that I am my own person, who can make my own decisions about my life and body. It may not be the best option but it is mine. I didnt need judgement.
I also then realised that I am my own person, who can make my own decisions about my life and body. It may not be the best option but it is mine. I didnt need judgement.
I can not alleviate all the harms of sex work, I would love to. I can't replace the income of those who want to exit either.
No one else can either, so don't believe them when they say they have a solution, one which they didnt consult with sex workers about.
No one else can either, so don't believe them when they say they have a solution, one which they didnt consult with sex workers about.
I still am angry at the client who assaulted me, but he is to blame. I no longer wish to rid the world of prostitution because I recognise it was a solution for me when I needed it to be.
I want to reduce the harms caused and prevention, criminalising the client doesn't do that
I want to reduce the harms caused and prevention, criminalising the client doesn't do that
Add:
Listen to sex workers, what we need to exit or what makes us safe.
Please, do not talk for us. We are marginalised enough as it is. Stop painting us as voiceless victims. We can speak for ourselves.
If you support us, you'd support what's best for us: decrim.
Listen to sex workers, what we need to exit or what makes us safe.
Please, do not talk for us. We are marginalised enough as it is. Stop painting us as voiceless victims. We can speak for ourselves.
If you support us, you'd support what's best for us: decrim.
