Let’s Talk About Digital Sex Industry Involvement

The 16 Days of Activism is a global campaign led by UN Women to end gender-based violence, running annually from November 25th – December 10th.

It begins on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (25th November) and concludes on Human Rights Day (10th December). 

Organisations like ours work year-round supporting women; while driving change through research, training, and events.

The 16 Days is a time to amplify this work. It’s a space to collaborate, raise awareness, and shout from the rooftops about ending violence against women and girls (VAWG).

This year’s theme is: UNiTE to End All Digital Violence Against Women and Girls

We welcome this, as we recognise that violence, abuse, and exploitation are as present in digital spaces as they are in the physical world. 

Digital VAWG may occur online or through devices, but its consequences often reach far beyond the screen, resulting in real-world harm. 

To respond effectively, we urgently need to strengthen understanding of digital abuse, how it operates, the systems that support it, and the measures that keep people safe. Women, including who are involved in the sex industry in any context, digital or otherwise, are vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. 

That’s why we want to dispel some myths around digital involvement in the sex industry: 

“Selling online means you do camming – like live videos – so it’s safe!” 
We have two misconceptions here! Selling online can involve live camming but isn’t limited to that, and this format doesn’t automatically ensure women’s safety. 

“Being involved in Selling or ‘content creating’ online is way safer than on-street selling sex”
There’s no specifically safer option to be involved in the sex industry when comparing in-person involvement and online. There are risks involved in both, and it’s not the case of only online or on-street.
The places where women advertise can differ; and the nature of women’s involvement can move
between online and in-person, although doesn’t always.  

“You have to be online to be vulnerable to digital abuse –
so women selling sex on-street aren’t going to experience this”
Any women can be vulnerable to abuse, including technology facilitated abuse.
Be that from an intimate partner, someone not known to them, or a someone paying you for sexual acts or content. 

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The nature of women’s involvement in the sex industry in terms of on or offline involvement doesn’t automatically disqualify them from certain forms of abuse.

For example, women who we see at our Door of Hope service who are involved in on-street selling often don’t own smart phones – but digital abuse can occur offline via devices like non-smart phones, through surveillance, coercion, stalking, tracking, and blackmail.

If you’re looking to improve your digital safety, or support women in your work – download our new digital safety resources designed with Refuge’s Technology Facilitated Abuse team:  

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