The NYC Commercial Sex Market: The Life Histories of Adults Who Trade Sex

• In Event: Understanding the Commercial Sex Market in New York City

Abstract

This paper presents the findings from in-depth interviews with over 300 adults, ages 18-61, in NYC who trade sex for money or other needs, revealing a population that includes a diversity of gender identities, sexual orientations, family histories, and substance use experiences. This paper details common clusters of pathways into the sex trades, current strengths and challenges, and sex workers’ own visions for necessary social service, legal, and policy changes across and among these identities and experiences. The paper also highlights lessons learned from respondent-driven sampling and a participatory research framework.

Author

• Elise White, Center for Court Innovation