Challenging sex work stigma in your community: Educating and empowering others

Despite being the “world’s oldest profession”, sex work has always been entrenched in stigma, a pervasive force that impacts not only those in traditional forms but also digital Creators on platforms like OnlyFans. 

According to a report from the Global Network of Sex Work Projects, discrimination against sex workers increased even further during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

This stigma often leads to social judgment, discrimination, and economic hardship for those who engage in sex work, regardless of the medium. 

For OnlyFans Creators, the effects can be harsh. 

• Though their work is done online, they’re not protected from the real-world consequences of this societal bias.

• Having potentially compromising photos and videos immortalized on the internet can lead to lifelong issues. 

By confronting and challenging these negative perceptions, we can foster a more supportive and inclusive environment for all sex workers. 

Education and empowerment play a pivotal role – dismantling harmful stereotypes and replacing them with compassion and respect. 

Through these efforts, we can work towards a future where sex work is recognized and respected as legitimate labor, free from the burdens of outdated and unjust stigmatization.

In this comprehensive guide, you'll learn:

• How to identify and challenge sex work stigma in your local community

• Practical strategies for educating others and leading conversations

• Step-by-step approaches to building support networks and advocacy groups

• Effective ways to protect yourself while advocating for change

Understanding sex work Stigma

Imagine this: a woman joins the military and is sent overseas to fight in a war. During her deployment, she suffers both mental and physical injuries. 

Would you say this military veteran is "selling her body" to earn income?

Now, consider a construction worker who develops a chronic respiratory illness after years of exposure to hazardous asbestos.

Or a famous entertainer who struggles with lifelong mental health issues resulting from feelings of isolation and anxiety due to touring globally. 

The truth is, we all use our bodies and minds in some way to earn a living and survive under capitalism. 

Yet, sex workers are unfairly stigmatized for using their bodies to make money, even though sex work is legitimate labor that’s both functional and necessary in society. 

How stigma manifests in daily life:

• Workplace discrimination and job loss when past or present sex work is discovered

• Banking and payment processing discrimination

• Housing discrimination and eviction

• Healthcare barriers and medical discrimination

• Social isolation and family rejection

• Online harassment and doxxing

What causes sex work stigma?

Sex work stigma stems from many different beliefs, but notably from purity culture and patriarchal sex moralism, which seeks control over women’s bodies and sexual autonomy. 

Common misconceptions about sex work—like the idea that it’s inherently exploitative or immoral—fuel this stigma. 

This stigma is also backed by legal systems that treat sex workers as criminals or victims rather than as consenting working adults. 

Criminalisation of sex work reinforces the idea that sex workers are doing something wrong, and makes it difficult for sex workers to seek legal help if needed since they aren’t safely protected in the same way as others. 

The effects of stigma are even more pronounced for marginalized communities within the sex work industry , such as LGBTQ+ individuals and people of color. 

These workers often face compounded discrimination, as they navigate both the stigma associated with their work and the biases related to their identities. 

This intersectionality highlights the need for a broader conversation about how stigma affects different groups within sex work and underscores the importance of challenging these harmful narratives at every level.

How to identify sex work stigma

Now that you know a little more about sex work stigma, here are some ways to identify it:

• Listen for dehumanizing language and stereotypes

• Notice exclusionary policies in local businesses and services

• Monitor local media coverage for biased reporting

• Pay attention to discriminatory legislation and law enforcement practices

• Observe social media comments and community discussions

It’s also common for sex workers to feel internalized stigma. Here are some ways to recognize it:

• Feeling shame about your work despite knowing it's legitimate

• Hiding your work from everyone, even supportive friends

• Believing negative stereotypes about other sex workers

• Avoiding healthcare or other services out of fear

• Self-isolating from community and support networks

Here are some ways to combat internalized stigma:

• Connect with sex worker support groups and online communities

• Practice positive self-talk and affirmations about your work

• Document instances of discrimination to recognize patterns

• Seek out sex worker-friendly mental health professionals

• Share experiences with trusted peers who understand your journey

The Whorearchy 

The term "whorearchy" describes the internal hierarchy within the sex work industry, where different types of sex work are valued differently based on the stigma they face.

This creates a harmful ranking system where some forms of sex work are seen as more respectable or prestigious than others. 

Common Whorearchy rankings (from most to least privileged):

• High-end escorts and sugar babies

• Cam models and professional porn performers

• OnlyFans and independent content creators

• Strip club dancers

• Massage parlor workers

• Street-based sex workers

How the whorearchy harms the sex work community:

• Creates artificial divisions between workers

• Reinforces classist and racist hierarchies

• Weakens collective advocacy efforts

• Perpetuates shame and internalized stigma

• Makes it harder to access support and resources

Practical steps to challenge the whorearchy

1. Check your language:

• Avoid terms like "high-end" or "low-end"

• Challenge phrases like "at least I don't..."

• Use inclusive terminology for all types of sex work

2. Challenge discriminatory behavior:

• Speak up when you hear other workers being stigmatized

• Include all types of sex workers in community events

• Share resources regardless of someone's type of work

3. Build cross-community connections:

• Attend events outside your usual work circle

• Join advocacy groups that represent diverse sex work communities

• Share platforms with workers from different sectors

4. Support inclusive policies:

• Advocate for decriminalization that protects ALL sex workers

• Challenge selective legalization efforts that leave some behind

• Support organizations that serve the entire community

To build unity and respect in the sex work community, we need to understand and break down the whorearchy. 

When we challenge the idea that some types of sex work are more 'respectable' than others, we can cut down on discrimination and support everyone equally.

This way, we're stronger together in fighting the bigger stigma and discrimination we all face.

The New Zealand Model proves how breaking down hierarchies can benefit everyone. When sex work was decriminalized in 2003, the law covered all types of sex work equally. 

Educating your community

Educating your community about sex work and dismantling harmful stigmas starts with open and honest conversations. 

How to start conversations about sex work

1. Choose your audience strategically:

• Start with already supportive friends and family

• Identify potential allies in community organizations

• Connect with local progressive groups and activists

2. Frame conversations effectively

• Instead of: "Sex work should be legal," Try: "Everyone deserves safe working conditions and protection from violence"

• Instead of: "You're wrong about sex workers," Try: "Let me share some facts about labor rights and human dignity"

3. Use educational tools:

• Share reputable resources. Here are some examples:

  • https://harmreduction.org/issues/sex-work/

  • https://www.nswp.org/resources

  • https://www.pivotlegal.org/sex_workers_rights

• Use statistics and data from recognized organizations. Here are some resources:

  • Sex Worker Statistics by Country, Gender [2025]

  • Facts about sex work in the UK

  • Crimes related to the sex trade: Before and after legislative changes in Canada

  • More Americans Favor Decriminalizing Sex Work

  • Sex Worker Outreach Project (SWOP)

• Share personal stories (only if safe and comfortable)

Building support networks and empowering others

Uplifting your community starts with building a strong support network and showing serious solidarity. 

1. Start a support group:

Create spaces where everyone feels safe to chat and share their experiences, and consider participating in or organizing a sex workers’ support group.

• Choose a secure meeting platform (digital or physical)

• Establish clear community guidelines

• Create vetting processes for new members

• Set regular meeting schedules

• Develop emergency response protocols

2. Digital advocacy

Use your platform to advocate for sex worker rights and push for decriminalization. 

• Create shareable infographics

• Organize Twitter storms for specific causes

• Maintain resource directories

• Document discrimination cases

3. Local level actions:

• Attend city council meetings

• Organize letter-writing campaigns

• Build coalitions with other rights organizations

• Monitor local policy changes

Practical tips for protecting yourself

Understanding your rights

1. Legal knowledge basics:

• Know your local laws concerning:

  • Sex work and digital content creation

  • Anti-discrimination protections

  • Banking regulations

  • Online privacy laws

2. Professional development

• Register as an LLC or business entity when possible

• Maintain professional documentation and contracts

• Build relationships with sex worker-friendly professionals:

  • Accountants

  • Lawyers

  • Mental health providers

  • Financial advisors

Celebrating every step forward

Remember, challenging sex work stigma isn't about dramatic overnight changes - it's about consistent, brave steps forward. 

Every time you have a thoughtful conversation about sex worker rights, support a fellow worker, or advocate for change in your community, you're contributing to a larger movement for dignity and respect.