Long-term consequences

The people who have worked in prostitution unquestionably suffer from negative long-term effects, even after they have left sex work. This proves that as an industry it is not just like any other job, but on the contrary, is an institution actively harming and even killing women. Former sex workers suffer from both the mental and physical long-term effects of being involved in the industry. For example, PTSD is extremely common among ex-sex workers,^[3] as are other mental health issues, drug abuse and STIs. The long-term physical effects can be devastating, particularly HIV and infertility resulting from sexually transmitted infections.^[2] On the most extreme level, the mortality rate of sex workers is higher than that of the general population.^[4] Those who participate in sex work are scarred for life, speaking to the trauma inherent in the profession. It is impossible, therefore, to treat it as if it were just another job. Most jobs do not have harmful and longlasting effects on its participants, and trying to paint sex work as 'a job like any other' is a disingenuous portrayal of the industry. To perpetuate the idea that sex work is not inherently harmful to those who participate is actively causing harm. Leaving those who have suffered years of abuse in sex work to suffer from the consequences for the rest of their lives is not an option. If any other industry had the rate of harm that is produced by prostitution, it would not be allowed to continue, but activists for decriminalisation are demanding that it become state-sanctioned. Any profession that is causing such profound negative effects on its participants should be illegal. Any other solution is negligent on the part of the state.

[P1] People who used to be sex workers suffer from long-term negative effects to both mental and physical health. [P2] Prostitution therefore needs to be illegal to discourage people entering a profession that hold potentially lifelong harms.