We need to talk about the early deaths of women who sell sex
"Emma was a gentle soul, a beloved daughter and sister from a happy home who was high achieving academically, bright and caring. She loved horses and as a young girl attended Brownies and drama classes. At school, Emma earned seven standard grades and four Highers--a good student. "
This description refers to Emma Caldwell, a woman murdered at the age of 27 by a sex buyer in Scotland. When considering her joyful early childhood, it is difficult to imagine that her life would take such a dark turn. At 20, she experienced profound grief following the death of her sister, which led to substance use as a way to cope with her loss. Ultimately, she became involved in selling sex to support her dependency.
In the UK, early deaths are defined as a person dying before reaching 75 years of age. In many cases, these deaths are preventable.
The life of Emma, and that of many other women involved in selling sex, could have been saved. Often, surrounding issues such as substance use are viewed as the sole causes of women’s compromised health and early deaths. Yet selling or exchanging sex may be a hidden factor that increases these issues and could even be their root cause.
To develop effective strategies to support women involved in selling sex and prevent their early deaths, we need to adopt a gender-sensitive approach, and one that understands the complexities and risks of the sex trade.
In the UK, early deaths are defined as a person dying before reaching 75 years of age. In many cases, these deaths are preventable.
The life of Emma, and that of many other women involved in selling sex, could have been saved. Often, surrounding issues such as substance use are viewed as the sole causes of women’s compromised health and early deaths. Yet selling or exchanging sex may be a hidden factor that increases these issues and could even be their root cause.
To develop effective strategies to support women involved in selling sex and prevent their early deaths, we need to adopt a gender-sensitive approach, and one that understands the complexities and risks of the sex trade.
Early mortality and selling sex: what are the links
We know little about how much women who sell sex are affected by early mortality. Years ago, a London-based study found that women selling sex are 12 times more likely to die than women from the general population, with the leading cause of death identified as murder.
While the socioeconomic context has seen big changes since this study was first published, in recent years the UK femicide census has recorded the murders of women in prostitution at the hands of men, noting these deaths usually included more violence. They also acknowledged that the true scale of murdered women in the 'sex industry' could be higher – however, very often personal details of the victims are not reported or are unknown.
However, we do know that violence is inherent in the 'sex industry' and that the reasons that lead women to start selling sex can also lead to their early deaths.
While the socioeconomic context has seen big changes since this study was first published, in recent years the UK femicide census has recorded the murders of women in prostitution at the hands of men, noting these deaths usually included more violence. They also acknowledged that the true scale of murdered women in the 'sex industry' could be higher – however, very often personal details of the victims are not reported or are unknown.
However, we do know that violence is inherent in the 'sex industry' and that the reasons that lead women to start selling sex can also lead to their early deaths.
What to expect in this series
Over the next six months we will be sharing a series of blogs exploring the connections between women’s involvement in selling or exchanging sex and their early deaths. We do not claim that all women in all parts of the 'sex industry' are affected by this problem. Instead, we will reflect and consider what current evidence tells us about the issues that can (and have) cut short the lives of women involved in selling sex.
Our blogs will highlight common conditions and situations that can lead to women’s early deaths. It is important to recognise that examining these factors in isolation fails to capture the complexity of women’s lives. Thus, as you read our series, we encourage you to consider ways in which these issues interconnect and and manifest in women’s lives.
In our series we will delve into:
Each month we’ll share a new blog. If you want to catch up with them, you will be able to find them all on this page.
Our blogs will highlight common conditions and situations that can lead to women’s early deaths. It is important to recognise that examining these factors in isolation fails to capture the complexity of women’s lives. Thus, as you read our series, we encourage you to consider ways in which these issues interconnect and and manifest in women’s lives.
In our series we will delve into:
- What can lead to the early deaths of women in the sex industry
- Some of the risk factors as highlighted by a housing practitioner
- The violence inherent in the sex industry which can lead to women’s deaths
- And how femicide has affected women involved in selling sex.
Each month we’ll share a new blog. If you want to catch up with them, you will be able to find them all on this page.
