Emotional and psychological trauma that cannot be regulated away.

Studies and accounts from survivors’ experiences validate that prostitution is intrinsically linked to psychological and emotional harm. Persons in prostitution often suffer from extremely high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and experience a struggle to maintain healthy intimate relationships.[1] One study showed that, 68% of prostituted persons demonstrated symptoms of PTSD, which is similar to the rate experienced by combat veterans.[2]

Disembodiment, dissociation, amnesia, depersonalization, denial, and splitting certain kinds of awareness and memories, were identified in several studies to be psychological defenses expended in response to the trauma experienced in prostitution.[3] In addition to these defenses, persons in prostitution are likely to acquire addictions to alcohol and/or drugs.[4] These defenses and coping mechanisms are necessitated by the experience of prostitution.[5]

No amount of regulation can prevent the high rates of PTSD, depression, and other psychological and emotional harms associated with prostitution. Why? Because prostitution is a de-personalized experience of repeated sexual invasion which caused one survivor described by stating: “What rape is to others, is normal to us.”[6]

[1] NCOSE. Bright Light on the Red Light: The Truth About Prostitution. https://endsexualexploitation.org/prostitution/

[2] Rachel Durchslag and Samir Goswami, “Deconstructing the Demand for Prostitution: Preliminary Insights from Interviews with Chicago Men Who Purchase Sex,” Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation, (May, 2008, p. 20).

[3] Farley, M. Baral, I. Kiremire, M. Sezgin, U. (1998). Prostitution in Five Countries: Violence and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. http://www.prostitutionresearch.com/ProstitutioninFiveCountries01182013.pdf.

[4] WHISPER. Sexual Exploitation is Nobody’s “Job.” https://endsexualexploitation.org/articles/sexual-exploitation-is-nobodys-job/

[5] Farley, M. Baral, I. Kiremire, M. Sezgin, U. (1998). Prostitution in Five Countries: Violence and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. http://www.prostitutionresearch.com/ProstitutioninFiveCountries01182013.pdf.

[6] Farley, M., Lynne, J. and Cotton, A. (2005). Prostitution in Vancouver: Violence and the colonization of First Nations women. Transcultural Psychiatry, 42(2), 242-271.