CSE Aware - LEARNING SESSION - In the Sex Buyers’ Net: ​Inequality as Women’s Lifeboat

How do power and inequality operate within the ‘sex industry’? How might men’s expectations and market pressures shape women’s choices? And can an industry often described as “empowering” limit women’s freedom?

This learning session explores these questions through the perspectives of those who purchase sex. Drawing on sex buyer reviews, it discusses the dynamics of commercial sexual transactions and considers how unequal power between buyers and sellers contributes to the asymmetrical risks faced by women.

Importantly, the session argues that dominant narratives around the sale of sex tend to focus on reducing interpersonal violence. In doing so, they often overlook issues such as objectification and other more routine, lower-level harms that can escalate into serious incidents and should be recognised as harmful in their own right.

What will the session cover?

Accompanied by reflective prompts for participants to consider individually, the session will explore the following questions:

• What structural inequalities exist between buyers and sellers in the ‘sex industry’?
• How can a consent-based framework help us understand hidden constraint?
• What are the implications for women in the sex trade?

Who can attend?

This event is open to service providers. It will be particularly relevant for those working in the fields of violence against women, sexual health and relationships, substance use, housing, mental health, criminal justice, public health, adult support and protection, and social work.

Please note that this event is funded through Delivering Equally Safe and aligns with the Scottish Government’s approach to addressing commercial sexual exploitation as a form of gender-based violence. The event will address women’s experiences from this perspective.

This webinar will take place on Teams. If we can do anything to make it easier for you to join, please let us know. 

Please note that the session will not be recorded.

You can contact us at laura@WomensSupportProject.org.uk 

LEARNING SESSION – In the Sex Buyers’ Net: ​Inequality as Women’s Lifeboat