"Coming soon to your city:" independent mobile sex workers managing the risks and stigma of doing sex work in Canada

Abstract

This research employs sex work theory to interpret the experiences of independent mobile female sex workers in the Canadian sex trade. This thesis argues that employment-related mobility and independent worker status are central in both the risk and ideology management of independent mobile sex workers. Mobility and independent worker status contribute to the risk management of independent mobile sex workers in Canada in many ways including: avoiding saturated markets that have a greater supply of sex workers than the current demand of clients, creating a unique market niche, establishing safer working conditions, and generally allowing for economic success in the sex trade. Altogether, the workers’ status as independent mobile sex workers allows the women in this study to manage the risks of doing sex work that threaten their physical health and safety, and emotional and social well-being.