Safe Sex Work

How can sex work, when chosen and practiced safely, be a powerful tool to explore sexual feelings around abuse, and take control of our bodies? What can we learn from sex workers about body safety and talking with children? Join Sophia and sex worker Chelsey Peach as they discuss. IMPORTANT NOTE: By platforming Sex Work, we are not condoning children accessing porn and recognise that the mainstream porn industry is toxic and abusive. However, to prevent childhood sexual abuse, conversations on consent, sex and bodies need to happen in age appropriate ways, and who else better to share their thoughts on that than a sex worker who is also a parent! Our work will always be about platforming the diversity of survivor experiences, and some survivors engage in sex work and have very important lessons to share on how to practice these conversations safely. We might not agree with all the perspectives and on ways to do it , but there are things to learn from each person and recognise that not all survivors are a monolith.

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About your hosts

A short description about the episode co-hosts

Safe Sex Work & Child Sexual Abuse Podcast (Video or Audio Options)

A more in-depth podcast episode, giving context and personal stories associated with the topic.

Things you should and shouldn't say to when talking about sex, sex work and Child Sexual Abuse

A short video episode, focusing on two things you should and two things you shouldn’t say to someone who has experienced (or is experiencing) child sexual abuse.

Episode transcripts

Full transcripts and subtitles are available for you to download

A Recap

A written summary of the key advice in these episodes Production Crew/ Special Thanks

Find out who worked on this episode

Additional Tips

Any additional resources mentioned are highlighted here

About your hosts

Sophia - Founder of Secrets Worth Sharing

Sophia (she/her) is a survivor of child sexual abuse, designer and the founder of Secrets Worth Sharing, where she builds a community of having these difficult conversations with 'serious joy'.

Chelsey Peach - Full Service Sex Worker

A full service sex worker, content creator and podcaster with a passion for destigmatising all things sex work. Chelsey (she/her) is an advocate for sex workers rights and full decriminalisation, as we all deserve access to safe working conditions and workers rights.

Safe Sex Work & Child Sexual Abuse

In-depth Podcast, 40 minutes.

Don't like watching videos? Listen on Spotify instead!

Things you Should and Shouldn't do when talking about sex, sex work and childhood sexual abuse

Practical do's and don't's episode, 8 minutes

Don't like watching videos? Listen on Spotify instead!

Download the Episode Transcripts

To recap...

Things you should say/do to support your partner who experienced abuse	Why?
Respect Boundaries and ask the person what they like	Recognise that until we have safe laws around sex work, it is high risk for people who engage in sex work. Make sure you show gratitude for their work and ask what can be done to mae them feel more comfortable. Encourage open communication and consent within sexual relationships as well as aftercare Understand that sex workers are individuals with complex lives and experiences
Support Survivor-Led and Sex worker led Movements	Advocate for the decriminalisation and destigmatisation of sex work through campaigns and protests Amplify the voices of survivors and sex workers whenever you can

Things you shouldn't say	Why
Don't Ask Invasive Questions about people's worst sexual experiences	Those who are sex workers or engage in kink are more likely to be questioned by people in their life about their best and worst sex experiences. Respect privacy and avoid prying into personal details as you could trigger someone Don’t make jokes about potentially sensitive subjects such as ‘rape, locking up rooms and asking about their worst sex experiences’
Don't Kink Shame	Sone people have complex sexual kinks and fantasies which may involve recreating scenes of sexual harm in a consensual way (for instance with 'Daddy and Little girl' kinks (DDLG)). These kinks are not to be confused with actions outside of consensual adult sex. Some people have kinks that they can't control and would only practice in safe consensual environments, and that doesn't make them more likely to abuse. Acknowledge that kinks can be exploited through sexual abuse and exploitation but that consensual sex scenes with consenting adults can be safe spaces to explore kink.

Production Crew / Special Thanks

Editing and Subtitles - Tom Eames

Additional resources and tips

Learn more about Decrim Now, the National Campaign for sex worker's rights mentioned in this episode.

Read Revolting Prostitutes: The Fight for Sex Workers' Rights by Juno Mac and Molly Smith

Navigating Sex and Sexuality after Sexual Assault: A Qualitative Study of Survivors and Informal Support Providers - PMC

Sexual choking - It Left No Marks

Know Your Rights - A Guide for Sex Workers - English Collective of Prostitutes

S*x Workers’ Union (@swunion_uk) • Instagram photos and videos

Sex and Rage - A community centred on reducing sexual stigma and shame, focusing on healing and justice around sexual trauma *Please note - in sharing resources mentioned by our co-hosts, we are not necessarily endorsing all of their content, but we do so to allow you to make up your own mind.