Introduction to consent in the 'sex industry'
Our latest webinar "Lifting the Curtain" delved into consent in the sex industry. We challenged the notion that selling sex is a transaction between 'two consenting adults’, and shed light on how consent is impacted by third parties and sex buyers. Read on to find our key learnings.
First, let’s unpack the concept of consent and the framing we will be using at CSE Aware. There is a common view in the sex industry that sex is exchanged between two equally consenting adults. But the reality is more complex.
How does consent play out in the sex industry?
Our framing of consent
Consent is a process of agreement, but it can be impacted by sex buyers, third parties and women's own circumstances. We want to introduce a framework to help explore women's consent in the sex industry. It focuses on three key moments: before, during an after the sexual encounter.
In this bulletin we will focus on the before stage. You can read more about our Framework of Consent and download a copy here.
How does consent play out in the sex industry?
- Very often sexual transactions involve more than just two adults – third parties (e.g. pimps, escort agencies, brothel managers, online platforms) are also involved and make a profit.
- Sex buyers’ attitudes and behaviours can and will override women’s consent.
- Each sexual encounter is different, and it shouldn't be assumed that consent happens in all cases.
- The sex industry often uses misleading language to lure women into the industry or promote an incomplete or misguided idea of what women are expected to do. E.g., agencies and sites usually are not upfront about the potential for violence. Agencies may also advertise for ‘modelling’ or ‘assistant’ jobs when in reality recruiting women to sell sex.
Our framing of consent
Consent is a process of agreement, but it can be impacted by sex buyers, third parties and women's own circumstances. We want to introduce a framework to help explore women's consent in the sex industry. It focuses on three key moments: before, during an after the sexual encounter.
In this bulletin we will focus on the before stage. You can read more about our Framework of Consent and download a copy here.
Consent before a sexual encounter
Before meeting a potential client, women will agree on the sex acts, boundaries (things she is not willing to do), payment, duration and location. However, sex buyers and the sex industry can override these agreements in different ways:
Guest speaker: how adult sites override women’s consent
Our guest speaker Kat Banyard, from UK Feminista, explored how adult websites can compromise the notion of sexual consent.
Pimping websites focus on advertising prostitution. In the UK, Viva Street and AdultWork dominate the market. These sites make money by charging women to place adverts. And while the ads require women to share explicit photos and personal information about themselves, sex buyers can use the site for free and without sharing any personal details.
What is the harm?
Traffickers, pimps and exploiters use these sites to advertise victims and make money. These sites also centralise men’s demand for sexual services while not being designed to reduce the harm of exploitation. In fact a UK Parliament enquiry recognised that these platforms cannot be made safe for women.
How do pimping sites compromise consent?
If you would like to watch the recording of this webinar, please fill out this form to get access.
Before meeting a potential client, women will agree on the sex acts, boundaries (things she is not willing to do), payment, duration and location. However, sex buyers and the sex industry can override these agreements in different ways:
- Industry language: acronyms and euphemisms are used to describe different sex acts, such as ‘pornstar experience’ or ‘bareback’ (sex without a condom). However, terms can be confusing and unclear, and women new to the industry might not always know in full what it means to agree to certain acts.
- Setting boundaries: for women new to industry, it may not be immediately clear how to set boundaries and punters and others may make them feel pressured to agree to anything.
- Boundary pushing: women have spoken of punters insisting on sex acts women don’t do. For example, pushing for sex without a condom, anal sex, etc. If women assert their agency, they risk receiving negative reviews, the loss of clients or being subjected to violence.
- Payment issues: women usually request upfront, complete and irreversible payment. However, women have described not being paid or getting robbed and have equated this to a violation of their consent.
- Autonomy vs market forces: competition in the industry has forced women to offer sex for less money or advertise riskier sex acts they wouldn’t normally do, such as double penetration, urination, etc.
Guest speaker: how adult sites override women’s consent
Our guest speaker Kat Banyard, from UK Feminista, explored how adult websites can compromise the notion of sexual consent.
Pimping websites focus on advertising prostitution. In the UK, Viva Street and AdultWork dominate the market. These sites make money by charging women to place adverts. And while the ads require women to share explicit photos and personal information about themselves, sex buyers can use the site for free and without sharing any personal details.
What is the harm?
Traffickers, pimps and exploiters use these sites to advertise victims and make money. These sites also centralise men’s demand for sexual services while not being designed to reduce the harm of exploitation. In fact a UK Parliament enquiry recognised that these platforms cannot be made safe for women.
How do pimping sites compromise consent?
- They make transactions where women have been coerced to sell sex easier, quicker and anonymous.
- Pimps and traffickers often place the ads and control how women are advertised, the sex acts they offer and any agreements with punters.
- Women are required to pay to advertise their services. This upfront expenditure already puts pressure to accept sex buyers.
- Women lose control of their images – these can be stolen and displayed anywhere on the internet.
- Despite requiring women to provide personal information and explicit images, these sites don’t provide robust safety mechanisms.
If you would like to watch the recording of this webinar, please fill out this form to get access.
