Mental Dangers of Sex Work
Transgender individuals often face many mental health risks, and trans sex workers are no different. Trans sex workers typically face heightened levels of depression due to the higher risk of physical assault. These women also face suicidal thoughts, and in most cases, suicide attempts. In a study conducted in 2005 to find the mental health effects of violence against transgender people, 16% of participants reported having attempted suicide at one point, and 48% reported a history of substance or drug abuse. [1] These results are exponentially higher than the general population, of which only 1-6% report attempted suicide or substance abuse.
Trans women of color are more likely to suffer from depression than white trans women. This depression is a direct result of the physical and sexual violence they experience, as well as transphobia in various life situations, such as family or school settings. [2] Often, these women also struggle financially due to not having support from family or friends who can help them pay for necessities. [3] Discrimination in work, housing, justice, and other issues can cause what is called internalized transphobia, or hate towards one’s self due to their gender identity. This can lead to more depression and possible suicide attempts. [4] The violence that trans women face can lead to depression because it can make them feel disgusted, or hateful towards their bodies, and it can also make them feel worthless. [5]
60.4% of trans sex workers reported that they have attempted suicide, almost double that of transgender non-sex workers. [6] More often than not, these individuals will turn to substance abuse to cope with the mental and physical trauma they have experienced. [7] Trans individuals are at a higher risk for suicide attempts, and this is only increased when working in the sex trade due to the higher risk of violence.
References:
[1] Testa, Rylan J., Laura M. Sciacca, Florence Wang, Michael L. Hendricks, Peter Goldblum, Judith Bradford, and Bruce Bongar. “Effects of Violence on Transgender People.” Professional Psychology: Research and Practice 43, no. 5 (August 13, 2012): 452–59. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0029604.
[2] Nemoto, Tooru, Birte Bödeker, and Mariko Iwamoto. “Social Support, Exposure to Violence and Transphobia, and Correlates of Depression Among Male-to-Female Transgender Women With a History of Sex Work.” American Journal of Public Health 101, no. 10 (October 2011): 1980–88. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2010.197285.
[3] Nemoto, Tooru, Birte Bödeker, and Mariko Iwamoto. “Social Support, Exposure to Violence and Transphobia, and Correlates of Depression Among Male-to-Female Transgender Women With a History of Sex Work.” American Journal of Public Health 101, no. 10 (October 2011): 1980–88. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2010.197285.
[4] The Needs and Rights of Trans Sex Workers. 9th ed. Edinburgh, UK: Global Network of Sex Work Projects, n.d.
[5] Testa, Rylan J., Laura M. Sciacca, Florence Wang, Michael L. Hendricks, Peter Goldblum, Judith Bradford, and Bruce Bongar. “Effects of Violence on Transgender People.” Professional Psychology: Research and Practice 43, no. 5 (August 13, 2012): 452–59. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0029604.
[6] Fitzgerald, Erin, Sarah Elspeth Patterson, Darby Hickey, Cherno Biko, and Harper Jean Tobin. Rep. Meaningful Work: Transgender Experiences in the Sex Trade. National Center for Transgender Equality, 2015.
[7] Testa, Rylan J., Laura M. Sciacca, Florence Wang, Michael L. Hendricks, Peter Goldblum, Judith Bradford, and Bruce Bongar. “Effects of Violence on Transgender People.” Professional Psychology: Research and Practice 43, no. 5 (August 13, 2012): 452–59. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0029604.