They choose their clients, set their own rates and manage their businesses like any other entrepreneur. They are independent sex workers—women who work without pimps or agencies, often away from the streets and organized establishments.
They tend to fly under the radar of media attention and relatively little is known about them. Do these women feel safe? How do they manage the risks of physical, psychological and sexual violence? What strategies do they use to protect themselves?
Cloé Gobeil made these questions the focus of her master’s degree, supervised by Frédéric Ouellet, a professor in the School of Criminology at Université de Montréal. She recently published her findings in the UdeM journal Criminologie.
Challenging preconceived notions
In Canada, Bill C-36, passed in 2014, criminalized the purchase of sexual services and broadened the definition of pimping, leading to tangible and harmful effects for sex workers themselves.
The 13 women who shared their experiences with Gobeil defy stereotypes of sex workers. Ranging in age from 25 to 47, 10 of them hold a university degree—seven a bachelor’s, two a master’s and one a doctorate.
Most of them combined, or had previously combined, sex work with other jobs. Some had started out in strip clubs or massage parlors before turning to freelance work, attracted by its flexibility and the autonomy it gave them.
Their motivations were varied and often shifted over time. While financial reasons dominated, several also mentioned the pleasure they derive from their work, the desire for autonomy and the sense of control over their lives.
The women’s trajectories were rarely linear: they reported moving between sectors, adjusting their ways of doing business, and occasionally leaving the industry and returning when circumstances allowed.
“There was no single path, but most were educated and made deliberate choices,” said Ouellet. “For them, the benefits of this work outweigh the drawbacks.”
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