The current health crisis due to the spread of Covid-19 is pushing many professions into precariousness. This is particularly the case for sex workers who experience a huge loss of income but who will not be entitled to any state aid.
To combat the spread of the new coronavirus, the French government has announced that the population will be contained. Initially scheduled for two weeks, it should be extended for at least a month and a half. Many establishments such as restaurants, bars, shops "non-essential " or the hotels are now closed. Certain professions are much more affected than others by measures taken by the government. This is the case of sex workers (TDS) who are among the forgotten people of this health crisis.
Confinement is obviously not compatible with the exercise of the profession. How to avoid contact when it is the essence of the profession? To protect their health, the TDS are deprived of work but that plunges them into great precariousness.
"During this period, you cannot take customers, whether you are a street worker, an escort or a porn actress. The rules are the same for everyone, you cannot touch someone without taking risks, from the point of view of our health and safety."said Amar, sex worker and secretary general of the Sex Work Union (Strass).
Since Emmanuel Macron introduced containment on March 16, sex workers are experiencing a huge drop in income. "The strip clubs are closing, customers cancel and asking for solidarity individually (…) is rarely possible.", admits Judith, founder of the page Instagram @tapotepute. "Our community has known precariousness since 2016, since we have the right to work but not to have clients (…) Sex workers are often victims of murder and assault but strangely, we never find the culprit.", recalls the young woman."With the coronavirus, it started about a month before confinement for Chinese sex workers who lost around 70% of their income. We were then taken by surprise. ", she adds.
Many sex workers then find it increasingly difficult to make ends meet. Unable to pay their rent, many are at risk of being evicted from their homes. "The situation is dramatic. There are hardly any customers left. How long will they be able to stop working? Being healthy without being able to eat or feed their children is complicated.", worries Sarah-Marie Maffesoli, coordinator at the NGO Doctors of the world.
Prostitutes are not recognized as workers. If some hold the status of auto-entrepreneur, they will not be eligible for the 1,500 euros set up by the State to compensate for the drop in activity of the self-employed.
Taking risks in the face of precariousness
In the midst of a health crisis, TDS are sometimes forced to put their health at risk to survive. Some are willing to take risks in order to fill their fridge. "These are all sex workers who are experiencing a total loss of income, whether they are strippers, dominatrixes, champagne bar hostesses … As long as there is not a rent freeze, we are in an extreme situation we have no choice "says Judith. "I am not worried about my health, I have no particular concern although I smoke like a firefighter. I am moving away from people at risk, I am rather worried about my financial health.", she says.
"It seems logical to me that some people will continue to work without social solidarity, or taking responsibility for the government. But in view of the systemic stigmatization that we suffer every day, virus or not, we can always wait. We must try to to understand if it is better for your health to stay at home or not. We must not forget that eating is also useful enough to survive, and therefore for health. ", says Awen, sex worker, writer and virtual activist who founded the account Instagram @tds_vs_grindrr. "I have 80 euros on my account at the moment so I feel completely safe. Health is broad. We should not forget mental health, for example. For the moment, I'm fine. I also recognize my privileges, and I also worry about my colleagues. But coronavirus or not, confinement or not, TDS have something to worry about for their health, in view of how they are stigmatized.", he assures.
Migrant women, often undocumented, are the most vulnerable. In the majority of cases, they speak little or no French. Thus, they have a hard time knowing what they have the right to do or not to do during confinement. Some associations try to help them by distributing prevention kits, a little money but also travel certificates.
For those who continue to work, the Rhinestone recommends "avoid contact with saliva "or" any sexual position face to face ".
To make up for their lost income, some are turning to specialized webcam sites. However, many fear cyber-harassment. "The internet alternative may be necessary but it is less reliable. It is saturated and risky, especially in terms of anonymity. It is also less lucrative. Instead of earning 200 euros, with sending a nude it’s 20 euros. Then it’s dangerous because of the redistribution of photos and videos on the net. Sex workers are the main victims of cyber-harassment.", says Judith.
In addition, customers are not always there because several pornographic platforms offer free access during confinement.
Intra-community assistance
The sex worker community is very cohesive and relies on mutual aid. In addition, the TDS hope to count on community health associations. "Solidarity is there, it is present, it is strong and it is beautiful. I was touched to see the direct reaction of the TDS, queer, LGBT + communities to what is happening. But I have not not surprised. We’ve known rejection, stigma, discrimination for a long time. And if these are things that have been, are, and will be present in our lives until everyone’s openness, solidarity, she too will always be there. ", reveals Awen.
Many pools have been opened, notably that of Judith, followed by more than 13,000 subscribers on Instagram. The 22-year-old has so far raised almost 11,000 euros and hopes to help as much as possible.
For her part, the general secretary of the Sex Work Union opened a Leetchi kitty. "Individuals or associations can donate on the site. The problem is: on what criteria should a fair redistribution be based? Quite simply on precariousness, we will favor the most precarious: those who work in the street, who have no income, who have dependent children, who do not receive social assistance … ", she concluded.
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