This publication encompasses the key findings stemming from the research into sex workers’ lifestyle on different scenes (outdoor and indoor) on the territory of the City of Skopje. In order to obtain detailed information regarding sex workers’ everyday life, surroundings, intimacy, and their experience in sex work thus far, the rapport they establish with their clients, as well as their physical and mental health, interviews have been made with male, female and transgender individuals who are currently engaged in sex work. The qualitative analysis has shown variables related to lifestyles and the manner in which they professionally do sex work on the one hand, whereas the violence, problems with clients, the limited access to and use of healthcare services comprise the prevailing factors that hinder their work, on the other hand. The combination of these unfavourable factors immensely contributes to sex workers’ exclusion from mainstream society.
Sex work is considered to be an unforced sale of sexual services in exchange of money or other material goods, between consenting adult individuals. Sex work on the territory of the City of Skopje takes place in an indoor or outdoor scene, and also by means of offering escort services, phone sex services, pornography, striptease, as well as sex services offered online. A sex worker can be a male, female or a transgender individual. Sex work is frequently ignored and rejected by the society as a whole and state institution which contributes to persecution, violence and discrimination against sex workers. Sex work is not officially recognized as a profession, which in turn forces sex workers to operate secretly and in hiding, not wanting to talk openly about their job neither with members of their family and friends or with their partners in fear of being publically disclosed about what they do. This kind of perception about sex work within the frames of society poses the greatest risk to all sex workers. Sex workers who operate on the outdoor scene, in order to avoid being arrested or abused by police officials are quite frequently forced to work in more isolated areas, exposed to various kinds of violence, especially by their clients. The fear of arrest and abuse by the police also restricts the time and methods used by sex workers in terms of safely working with their clients.
The method of interview was employed for the purposes of this research, with previously defined semi-structured questionnaires consisting of openended and close-ended questions. The questions were formulated in a simple
and clear manner adapted to the respondents’ idiolect to ensure maximum comprehension. The questionnaires were categorized in 4 segments:
– Demographic data;
– Lifestyle;
– Relationship and work with clients;
– Personal health.
The whole research publication “Sex Workers’ Lifestyle” can be downloaded HERE.