Project Title: Prostitution and Public Policy: Community Based Research
Investigator: Rebecca A. Schwartz, WKU Graduate Student, Department of Diversity and Community Studies, (502) 706-0179, rebecca.schwartz@wku.edu

You are being asked to participate in a project conducted through Western Kentucky University. The University requires that you give informed consent to participate in this project.

The investigator will explain to you in detail the purpose of the project, the procedures to be used, and the potential benefits and possible risks of participation.  You may ask any questions you have to help you understand the project.  A basic explanation of the project is written below.  Please read this explanation and post any questions you may have.

If you then decide to participate in the project, please post your responses to the questions listed below. 

1.   Nature and Purpose of the Project: 
The purpose of this study is to examine public policy governing prostitution and to investigate which public policy would best protect both women?s rights and public good.  This is an area of concern because current policy, criminalization, is based primarily on the perception that prostitution is harmful to the common good. 

2.   Explanation of Procedures: 
Each participant will answer questions pertaining to their economic situation, views on public policy, personal safety concerns, and general questions about working conditions. Responses should be posted within this forum thread or messaged directly to investigator through anonymous messaging system only.

3.   Discomfort and Risks:
Trigger Warning:  While not the intention, the questions associated with this study may invoke an emotional response.  This may especially act as a trigger for past trauma.  Subjects may terminate contact at any time. 

Legal Issues: Legal issues regarding prostitution are different for difference countries.  Because this study involves subjects posting to a forum, they could be from anywhere, including countries where prostitution is an illegal enterprise.  For those subjects, arrest and legal concern is always an issue.  Participating in this study in no way protects from criminal charges.  Subjects may be admitting to illegal activity.  While the interview process strives to be anonymous, all material gathered is subject to subpoena.  It is asked that participants DO NOT provide any form of identifiable data that could link to personal contact outside the parameters of the website.

No part of this study includes illegal activity.  It only reports on the circumstances discussed in the postings.

The study is being conducted under the guidance of Dr. Molly Kerby.  If you have any concerns or complaints about it, you may contact her at Western Kentucky University.  All contact outside of the website would be held to a confidential standard, but could disclose identifiable data.

4.   Benefits:
Results of this research will give a better understanding of issues relating to sex workers rights. The data gained from this study may help in creating more equitable policies for workers.

5.   Confidentiality: 
No identifying information should be provided at any time.  Any and all material gathered will be considered anonymous; unless you provide personally identifiable data. Such personally identifiable data is not requested.

6.   Refusal/Withdrawal: 
Refusal to participate in this study will have no effect on any future services you may be entitled to from the University.  Anyone who agrees to participate in this study is free to withdraw from the study at any time with no penalty.
 

How long have you been employed?
over 20 years
Do you worry about your own safety?
Of course I do. There is always the possibility of danger.
 What actions do you take to protect yourself from sexually transmitted diseases?
always require condoms
 Do you have access to health care?
Yes
 Are you paid fairly?
Fairly ??, as agreed. . .yes
 How would you describe your economic situation?
comfortably middle class
 What plans do you have for your future?
I try not to make plans.
 How do your view law enforcement?  Do they provide protection for you?
I know many cops and for the most part they are just people doing their jobs. They do provide a certain level of security that we appreciate.
 Is there a policy change that would assist you?
decriminalize, organize workers and license legal establishments that would provide protection and medical services to workers.
  What services could the community provide that would help you?
decriminalize, organize workers and license legal establishments that would provide protection and medical services to workers
Do you feel your profession segregates you from your local community?
It makes it hard to live in "normal" society. You live a lie. PTA meetings are awkward if they know my profession.
 Is sex work legal in your country?
I live in the U.S.A. so yes, no, maybe.

1.   How long have you been employed?

5 years.

2.   Do you worry about your own safety?

At times, but less so than when I was a promiscuous teenager.

3.   What actions do you take to protect yourself from sexually transmitted diseases?

Protected sex always, oral without at discretion and regular testing.

4.   Do you have access to health care?

Yes

5.   Are you paid fairly?

Yes, I set my own rates based on the industry standard for my area.

6.   How would you describe your economic situation?

Comfortable.

7.   What plans do you have for your future?

Save enough for a deposit to get on the property ladder.

8.   How do your view law enforcement?  Do they provide protection for you?

As yet I haven't had to use the police for work related instances however I find in my area they are less then helpful on most matters.  I wouldn't be keen on approaching them if I needed to.

9.   Is there a policy change that would assist you?

Allow sex workers to work from the same premises for protection and peace of mind.  Remove the clause from rental agreements which state the property must not be used for immoral purposes. 

10.   What services could the community provide that would help you?

Sex worker friendly health clinics.

11.   Do you feel your profession segregates you from your local community?
 
Yes, living a double life is draining at times.


12.   Is sex work legal in your country?

Yes.

1.   How long have you been employed?

As an escort, about 6 years.

2.   Do you worry about your own safety?

No. I think about my safety enough to take precautions

3.   What actions do you take to protect yourself from sexually transmitted diseases?

I always use condoms and get regular check ups

4.   Do you have access to health care?

Yes, my GP and I go to a GUM clinic for sex workers

5.   Are you paid fairly?

Yes

6.   How would you describe your economic situation?

Good. I'm making a lot more than the average worker for far fewer hours

7.   What plans do you have for your future?

To finish paying of my mortgage in Aus in the  next few years then move back there and start my own business in ecotourism

8.   How do you* view law enforcement?  Do they provide protection for you?

A bizarre Kafkaesque bureaucracy but doing the best job they can under the circumstances I guess. The few times I've needed them (had a bike stolen once and a phone stolen another time), the best they could do was take some details, file them away and tell me the case was closed. Yes.

9.   Is there a policy change that would assist you?

No. But if policy makers sought out the perspective of sex workers, as you are, it would prevent some terrible policy changes that are being considered here.

10.   What services could the community provide that would help you?

-

11.   Do you feel your profession segregates you from your local community?

Not really, I tell people at my gym, chess club, local cafe etc that I'm a masseur.

12.   Is sex work legal in your country?

Yes, I'm in the UK