No Safe Distance: Unmasking S-x Work During the COVID-19 Pandemic

CW: discussion of violence 

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated and exposed the existing inequalities in our social and economic structures. As an already often vulnerable and stigmatized group, sex workers, particularly those providing in-person services, were strongly impacted by the government restrictions while simultaneously being among the least protected by the government’s emergency responses. 76.26% identified a loss of income as the biggest challenge imposed by the pandemic on their livelihoods, but many accurately linked this to other secondary consequences such as homelessness and food insecurity. Additionally, sex workers faced increased health risks as well as risks associated with breaking curfews and lockdown regulations. Resultantly, many were pushed to balance earning an income with serious health and safety risks.  

In the US, the demand for sex work had fallen by 80% by autumn 2020 due to lockdown restrictions and a decrease in incomes. Consequently, over a million sex workers fell out of work. Although OnlyFans saw a 75% increase in signups, it is important to note that while many occupations moved almost seamlessly online, online sex work varies from other types of in-person services. Those who provide escort services, for instance, may never want permanent images of them online or may not have the skills to transition to OnlyFans or webcamming work. Moreover, those with an established client base may struggle to convince clients to pay for an online service rather than an in-person one. 

With sex work often being the sole income, and many living paycheck to paycheck, many in the industry faced food insecurity and houselessness following a drastic drop in income during the pandemic. Unlike others who experienced a loss of income, many sex workers may not have a family or friend network to turn to due to the stigma surrounding their occupation. Those forced to live at home due to such circumstances often faced violence by family members of intimate partners. Of course, considering this from an intersectional lens, impoverished, POC, transgender, and street sex workers experience intersecting forms of oppression that shape their experiences as sex workers and the choices they made during dire times. Those in the industry may live together or with others in order to split rent, which increases Covid exposure significantly if multiple parties in a household provide in-person services. 

Since sex work is criminalized and stigmatized in the majority of the world, sex workers are among the most vulnerable populations. This vulnerability was exacerbated by the pandemic and the government overlooking and disregarding sex workers during the distribution of emergency responses. Especially when welfare is largely tied to employment, as in the US, sex work not being recognized as “legitimate work” excludes sex workers from social protection schemes. Migrant sex work making up a large part of the industry further unravels the complexities of the situation. In Canada, for instance, 40% of migrant sex workers cannot access any emergency income support from the government. Moreover, as occupations that already face stigma, even those in the industry eligible for government support during the pandemic may never have applied. 

In line with not being protected by general government emergency responses, sex workers will seldom be covered by healthcare programs. Resultantly, sex workers will either have to pay for health insurance or pay out-of-pocket costs, both of which are expensive. Sex workers during the pandemic, particularly those providing in-person services, were at heightened risk of both Covid and sexually transmitted diseases. Those with weakened immune systems due to drug use, houselessness, lack of accessible healthcare, and poverty were at particularly heightened risk. Covid-related healthcare, such as testing and treatment, was made free of charge in many countries across the world. Meanwhile, accessing non-Covid related healthcare was reported as a challenge for almost half (49%) of those in sex worker communities, according to UNFPA. HIV treatment and prevention were of particular concern among sex workers, especially in developing counties. Many specialized clinics which provide accessible and stigma-free services to sex workers shut down, while general healthcare facilities were overcrowded with Covid treatment and testing. Consequently, many also found it harder to screen their clients. 

Lockdown restrictions and social distancing shut down a large amount of in-person establishments, such as strip clubs and brothels, resulting in the loss of a regulated client base for many. As a result, many had to work out of their homes or from the street which is generally riskier, especially with strict curfews enforced by fines. With a significantly reduced client base and restrictions, sex workers may be compelled to cross personal boundaries regarding the provision of services and their prices. 

Finally, increased government surveillance and policing as a result of lockdown rules and curfews put sex workers who had to break these rules to make ends meet in an unprotected and unsafe position. Of course, restrictions must be enforced but the opportunistic misuse of power during crisis coupled with the violent history between sex workers and law enforcement has resulted in problematic and marginalizing enforcement tactics. For instance, in Australia police showed up at houses of sex workers to assess if they were providing services from their home. Many of these were solely the (mis)use of police data rather than a justified suspicion or evidence that such illegal, lockdown-breaking activities were occurring. With 31% of sex workers saying that they wouldn’t call 911 in an emergency due to fear of police violence, the police are perceived as both unprotective and as a threat to many of those doing sex work. Those with intersectional identities are also likely to face additional prejudice from police. 

The pandemic unmasked the inequalities of the current welfare structures and revealed how sex work still being unrecognized as work significantly impacts access to social security during times of crisis. As we move into a reshaped world it is important to consider that sex workers, like all other workers, deserve safety and protection as they resiliently navigate the unfamiliar territories of the post-Covid era. 

Written by Ellen Gisto.