Caring for One Another: Peer Support and Self-Care Among Sex Workers

Background and Purpose

Sex workers experience deep societal stigma, marginalization, and vulnerability and are frequently viewed through a reductive lens that emphasizes violence, substance use, and exploitation. This study challenges such perspectives by centering the lived experiences of sex workers, highlighting their agency, resilience, and capacity to care for others. It explores how sex workers support one another and foster community and solidarity. The research shifts away from protectionist narratives toward an approach that values sex workers’ knowledge and autonomy. The main research questions include: How do female sex workers experience and express care for others in their everyday lives? What personal and social meanings do they assign to these caring practices? What are the implications of these findings for the practices of sex work organizations and social work professionals?

Methods
This ethnographic study employed participatory observation over a one-year period at an NGO that supports sex workers in England, integrating research with volunteering. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with eight women sex workers and four professionals from the organisation. Most participants were recruited through the organisation's staff, thanks to their acquaintance with the researcher, who had worked with them as a volunteer. A thematic analysis was conducted, beginning with a holistic reading of the interviews and a preliminary division into two key topics: mutual care practices and the spaces in which these practices are implemented. This phase revealed a wide spectrum of mutual care practices among sex workers that involved the women themselves, aid organisations, clients, and some family members and friends. These practices were categorised into two types: helping others and self-care, with three central themes emerging.

Findings
Mutual care (emotional and practical support) emerged as essential for navigating risk, maintaining emotional well-being, and building trust. Three key themes were identified: (1) Community as a risk navigation tool: Peer-based mutual support plays a critical role in reducing both physical and emotional risks associated with sex work. (2) Support across everyday and crisis contexts: Mutual care was evident in both routine and traumatic situations. (3) Proactive vs. reactive strategies: Participants used both preventive and responsive approaches to support.

Conclusions and Implications

This study demonstrates how seemingly individual acts of care contribute to broader community resilience. By emphasizing mutual care and self-care, the findings challenge traditional service models that treat sex workers solely as recipients of care. Instead, the study advocates for community-based, nonjudgmental, and participatory frameworks that recognize the expertise and leadership of sex workers themselves.

The research contributes actionable knowledge to social work practice and policy by highlighting the importance of relational, grassroots approaches to support. It calls for a shift in how social work engages with marginalized populations, moving toward collaborative practices that uphold dignity, autonomy, and social justice.