Independent Female Escort’s Strategies for Coping with Sex Work Related Stigma

Abstract

Despite the reframing of ‘prostitution’ as ‘sex work’ in research and advocacy literature, the stigma associated with this activity persists. This study examines how independent female sex workers advertising online as “escorts” perceive and manage the stigma associated with their work, and how these coping strategies impact their personal relationships. Thirty escorts participated in semi-structured qualitative interviews; Goffman’s (1963) theory of stigma and information management strategies was used as a theoretical framework to guide the analysis of women’s experiences. Women who engaged in selective disclosure regarding sex work reported greater access to social support, while women who concealed their work from most people often reported feeling lonely and socially isolated. Escorts’ stigma coping strategies may have significant impact on their social relationships and access to social support.