Sex work ‘degrading’

In response to the anonymous letter (Feb 14) promoting the multimillion-dollar sex industry that exploits vulnerable women. It is deceptive for her to promote and give status to her ‘‘work’’ by calling it upmarket. All sex work is degrading of women and being upmarket it means that men are prepared to pay more for access to her body. The writer extolls informed consent.

Work means that sex workers who are engaging in commercial sex have consented to do so. This definition fails to take into account the dire economic need, the childhood sexual abuse, the brutal coercion employed by pimps, the drug and alcohol addiction of vulnerable and wounded women that is exploited by the sex industry. There is no glamour in sex work. Let us not forget the terrible price paid by Renee Duckmanton – a victim of drugs and prostitution. Our women deserve better, shame on our Parliament.

Ken Orr Shirley