Defining violation : sex-worker experiences of unwanted incidents

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Brents, Barbara G. and Wakefield, Chris and Scoular, Jane and Sanders, Teela and Abel, Gillian; Sanders, Teela and Scoular, Jane and Brents, Barbara G. and Balderston, Susie and Abel, Gillian, eds. (2025) Defining violation : sex-worker experiences of unwanted incidents. In: Voicing Consent. Palgrave Macmillan Ltd., Cham, pp. 79-116. ISBN 9783031777158 (https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-77715-8_4)

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Abstract

This chapter explores two primary questions: What range of unwanted contact incidents do sex workers most frequently encounter? Moreover, how does the law influence their understanding, interpretation, and definition of these incidents? We highlight the concept of transactional legal consciousness, distinguishing it from rape consciousness, to explain how sex workers perceive violations within the negotiated context of selling sex. The chapter analyses qualitative and quantitative data on common types of violations, such as payment issues and stealthing, and less common violations involving injury. It also examines the role of legal alienation in shaping sex workers’ responses. The chapter first defines and categorises types of violations, then explores sex workers’ perceptions and interpretations, and finally discusses the implications of transactional legal consciousness in managing these experiences.

ORCID iDs

Brents, Barbara G., Wakefield, Chris, Scoular, Jane ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6686-6494, Sanders, Teela and Abel, Gillian; Sanders, Teela, Scoular, Jane, Brents, Barbara G., Balderston, Susie and Abel, Gillian
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)