Sex workers’ experiences following the Canterbury earthquakes: Recovery and rebuild

Abstract

The social and occupational stigma that impacts on sex workers’ resilience following a significant disaster has received little to no attention. To remedy this gap, this paper explores how experiences of stigma have impacted sex workers lives following the 2010-2011 Canterbury earthquakes in Aotearoa New Zealand. We set out to understand how stigma enabled and constrained sex workers’ ability to respond to and recover from the earthquakes. We coalesce knowledge from across the domains of sex work, social stigma and disaster management. Semi-structured, in person interviews were held with sex workers who worked during or after the time of the Canterbury earthquakes in Ōtautahi (Christchurch). Additional interviews were conducted with stakeholders who worked with or continued to support sex workers in Christchurch. From across these interviews, narrative tropes were identified, including the risks of divulging sex work in the aftermath of a disaster; navigating intersectional stigma and accessing help; addressing sex workers' unique needs following the earthquakes; and media as a site of stigma. This research aims to combat the negative effects of stigma by encouraging disaster management officials and associated services to attend to the needs of precariat communities during adverse events.