Analysis of Vulnerability and Victimization of Sex Workers in the UK

This report investigates the vulnerability and victimization experienced by sex workers in the UK, addressing the social exclusion, low income, and other factors contributing to their situation. It explores the background of sex work, including different types of workers and the prevalence within the UK, and outlines the aim to ascertain the effects of vulnerability and victimization. The literature review examines concepts of vulnerability, factors driving individuals into sex work (financial crisis, social needs, and low education), the challenges faced (health issues, safety, and social exclusion), and the impacts of victimization. The research methodology details the research type, approach, philosophy, data collection, analysis, sampling, and ethical considerations. The study employs a qualitative approach using thematic data analysis to determine trends and impacts, with the goal of providing insights for policymakers and other stakeholders. The rationale highlights the increasing trend of sex work and its negative impacts, emphasizing the need for strategies to reduce the rate and create a positive impact on the country. The significance of the study lies in its potential to inform future research and guide interventions aimed at reducing vulnerability and victimization among sex workers in the UK.

VULNERABILITY AND
VICTIMIZATION OF SEX
WORKERS IN UNITED
KINGDOMS

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTODUCTION..............................................................................................................................1
Background .................................................................................................................................1
Aim and objectives......................................................................................................................1
Rationale .....................................................................................................................................2
Significance .................................................................................................................................2
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................3
Theme 1: Concept of vulnerability and victimization of the sex workers...................................3
Theme 2: Factors driving the entrance of the individuals in sex work........................................3
Theme 3: Challenges faced by the vulnerable and victimized sex workers in UK.....................4
Theme 4: The impact of vulnerability and victimization as faced by the sex workers in UK.....5
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.....................................................................................................5
Research type ..............................................................................................................................5
Research approach.......................................................................................................................6
Research philosophy: ..................................................................................................................6
Data collection ............................................................................................................................7
Data analysis ...............................................................................................................................7
Sampling......................................................................................................................................8
Reliability and validity.................................................................................................................8
Ethical considerations..................................................................................................................8
Research limitations ....................................................................................................................9
Timeline.......................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

Topic: To identify the effects of vulnerability and victimization of sex workers in context of
UK
INTODUCTION
Background
In the modern era, social exclusion is one of the most common term that is linked to low
income, poverty, debt, unemployment etc. Therefore, experience of this also lead to vulnerability
and exclusion from enjoying the rights regard to employment, health care etc. Hence, the present
study also based upon the vulnerability and victimization (V&V) faced by the sex workers in
UK. The term ‘sex workers’ refers to those individual who are engaged in prostitution.. Also,
there are indirect sex workers also identified within a UK in which individuals are employed
within lap dancing, stripping and virtual sex service (Niedzwiedz and et.al., 2020). Research
indicates that there were approx 72800 sex workers in UK in which 88% were women, 6% men
and 4% transgender. Most of them belongs to London and the major reason for indulging within
this field is due to low education, mental stress, unemployment and family breakdown.
Therefore, the present study will highlight the impact of sex workers within UK in term
of economy, crime rate etc. Also, through thematic analysis, research will also determine the
factors that provoke individual in order to entered into sex work. Overall, the study will draw
attention towards V&V of sex workers within UK, along with identify the challenges faced by
sex workers.
Aim and objectives
Aim: The aim of the current study is to ascertain the effects of vulnerability and victimization
faced by the sex workers in UK.
Objectives: -
By taking into account the aim as specified above the following objectives can be
drafted-
 To develop an understanding of the concept of V&V of the sex workers.
 To identify the factors that drive individuals to entered into sex work.
 To evaluate the challenges faced by sex workers within UK.
 To determine the impact of V&V of sex workers in UK.
 To recommend effectual strategies pertaining to prohibition of vulnerability and
victimization of the sex workers.
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Research questions:
Q1: What do you understand by the term v&v of sex workers?
Q2: What are the factors driving entrance into sex work?
Q3: What are the challenges faced by the sex workers within UK?
Q4: What is the impact of vulnerability and victimization faced by the sex workers in UK?
Rationale
The rationale for conducting study on this particular topic is such that there is an increased
trend of sex workers within UK such that most of the people indulge into sex work which
somehow creates negative impact of country. Also, this in turn recognized as a research issue
because there is direct impact identified over the physical and mental health of an individual.
Along with this, it leads to increase crime rate and negative impact over economy of UK
(Sanders and et.al., 2017). Therefore, with the help of qualitative study and using thematic data
analysis scholar will determine the trend regarding sex workers and its impact over the UK.
Apart from this, another reason for conducting study on this topic is such that scholar has
their own interest to study on this topic because it will assist to enhance the knowledge
pertaining to V&V of sex workers. Along with this, another rationale for conducting the study
over the specific topic is such that might be University allotted the topic in which scholar has to
study. So, it can be stated that with the help of chosen topic, investigator enhance their
knowledge and develop a way through which the ratio within UK might decreases,
Significance
The importance of conducting study on this topic is such that it will help other scholar who
want to conduct study on this so that they can use the sources as secondary research. On the
other side, present research will also beneficial to the government and other agencies who want
to reduce the rate of sex workers within UK. Such that the study proposed ways to minimize the
increasing trend of sex workers so that it will help to create a positive impact over the country.
Overall, it can be stated that with the help of the present study, scholar highlight the issue
pertaining to sex workers and impact over their health as well.
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LITERATURE REVIEW
Theme 1: Concept of vulnerability and victimization of the sex workers
Riley and et.al. (2019) states that the vulnerability of the sex workers is the key concern
for many nations and the practice of selling sex is widely being followed nowadays by the
female prostitutes. A set of people are being marginalized from the rest of the society and that is
the reason they are exposed to the vulnerable conditions. The sex workers on the street side are
either working on their willingness to fulfil their own needs and desires or they may be trapped
by the human traffickers and are forced to work as the victims of the sex work. Moyce and
Schenker (2018) contradicted that doing the sex work on the street sides is not a choice rather is
the consequence of the several problems that the females in the society are critically exposed.
The female prostitutes who are providing these services cannot willingly agree for the same but
it is their helplessness in the form of financial crisis, unavailability of the basics like the food,
clothing and shelter, exposed to violence and are being trapped by the human traffickers. In the
opinion of the Mutagoma and et.al. (2019) the sex workers are majorly vulnerable due to the
sexual and the non- sexual violence that is taking place with them and finally are the victims to
the crimes that are undertaken with them. This shall be posing the threats in the various social
and economic manner to the population which is engaged in such works and the whole nation in
the various ways. Fábián and et.al. (2019) evaluated that such activities are increasing at a rapid
pace and gradually the percentage of the female sex workers are shooting up as per the statistical
records of the various nations. There can be various types of sex workers like the ones who are
the victims of trafficking, group of street sex workers, the off-street British born workers,
migrant sex workers and the transgender or the males are also involved in these activities. Proper
regulatory framework must be defined so that such activities are abandoned and the rate of
crimes and vulnerability in the society decreases to some extent.
Theme 2: Factors driving the entrance of the individuals in sex work
McBride and et.al. (2020) determined that there are various factors that shall be driving
the entrance of the sex workers and this involvement shall be making their lives vulnerable and
victimized by such effects. One of the most significant reasons for this engagement can be the
financial crisis that are forcing these people to be engaged into the services of trading the sex.
The female prostitution is considered to be the source of earning and a means to earn the
livelihood in the form of the basic access to the food, clothing and shelter. It can also be the case
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of heavy debts that are to be repaid for which the funds are required in short run and seems the
only option that can be executed so that the income can be generated. There can be other social
needs of the individual that can be fulfilled through these sex works. Ligaga (2019) against the
opinion specified that, one of the perception is that those who are indulged in the sex work are
the victims and are suffering the vulnerability but this can also be the other way round where the
vulnerable population of the society further are dragged into the sex works. These are the ones
who are not looked after due to the family breakdown, or are addicted to the drugs, are facing the
issue of homelessness and also those who are under some powerful and dominant personality.
Moyle (2019) mentions that one of the most significant drivers that is most relevant to the
society structure are the discriminatory policies that are being applied and because of that reason
most of the people are being marginalized. It shall be preventing these groups to be socially
included against the racism, stereotypes, prejudices and the stigmatization etc. These can be told
to be actually vulnerable and victimized of sex works due to the social strata that are being
established over time.
Prego-Meleiro and et.al. (2020) determines that the other most significant reasons are the
low level of education that is gained by these people helping them to differentiate between what
is right and what is wrong. Apart from that the also some might have the problems with the
mental health and that is the reason they are not able to figure out the negative effects of the sex
trade that they are engaged.
Theme 3: Challenges faced by the vulnerable and victimized sex workers in UK
As per the views of the Aliverti (2020) it can be identified that UK is one of the most
affected countries in the world which are suffering the problem of vulnerability and the
victimization of the sex workers. It can be assessed that the worst challenges that these workers
are facing can be the health related issues and the diseases that can be attracted through these sex
works. HIV is one of the sexually transmitted diseases that can be life threatening for these sex
workers. There are the possibilities of the other infection and health epidemics that can ruin the
life of the individual. Jeffries and Chuenurah (2019) indicates that apart from the health related
concerns there are other significant challenges in the form of safety needs of the individual. As
these people are mostly suffering the violence and the crimes that are taking place with them in
the form of human trafficking or in the form of sexual and non-sexual violence. This can also
affect the mental and the physical health of the individual making them the part of the most
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vulnerable sections of the society. Griffiths and et.al. (2019) opposed that the most critical and
challenging part is the social exclusion and the unacceptance in the society. There are instances
where the society forces the sex workers to be indulged in such activities by marginalizing them
away from the rest considering them poor and refusal to providing them the basic human rights
in the country. The social stratification and the discriminatory policies are one of the reasons that
have highly impacted the well-being of some individuals.
Hanks (2021) describes that stabilizing the lives of these workers is one of the most
significant challenges for the Government of the country. They face the difficulties as such
trafficking exists at a larger extent and to cater to it and the abolishment from the society is a
pretty difficult task. It can also be understood that it is prevalent in the various forms and to keep
check on the various forms is the major challenge for the society as well as the nation.
Theme 4: The impact of vulnerability and victimization as faced by the sex workers in UK
Pezzoli and et.al. (2019) states that the vicious circle of the vulnerability and the
victimization that is prevalent in the society of UK have lead to the major impact on the social as
well as the economic status of the country. One of the most significant impacts can be in the
form of increase in the criminal rates of the country. The sexual and the non-sexual violence with
the individuals, threatening to death and the human trafficking are contributing to the increase in
such ratio with the rapid pace. This somewhere will be spoiling the peace and harmony of the
country. According to the Huitsing and Monks (2018) one of the negative impacts are to the
medical efficiency and the associated ratio of the country which is being spoiled by the sexually
transmitted infections in the human body. Also, due to the lack of awareness this further
becomes untreatable and is increasing the death frequency of the individuals who are suffering in
the sex works.
Connelly, Kamerāde and Sanders (2021) assesses that the population of the UK economy
who are indulged in these works are somewhere limiting the productivity of the nation as they
are working population who can be significantly contributing to the growth and prosperity of
UK. Also, many a times when caught up in the crime and are arrested further are the loss to the
economy and its various indicators.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research type
In order to accomplish research effectually scholar is required to undertake either
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qualitative or quantitative research. However, section of research type is highly influenced from
the type of investigation initiated (Snyder, 2019). Under qualitative research, solution of the
problem is assessed through evaluating underlying research facts and opinions. On the other side,
quantitative research refers to the one where numeric data set is evaluated by applying statistical
or mathematical techniques. In this, for analysing vulnerability and victimisation of sex
associated with UK workers qualitative research type has been selected. This research type has
been selected because concerned research issue cannot be presented numerically. Thus, by
focusing on facts pertaining to vulnerability and victimization appropriate aspects has been
presented.
Research approach
Research approach is the plan and procedure for the research which spans the steps from
a broad assumption to a detailed method of data collection as well as interpretation. This type is
based upon the nature of a research problem that assists to determine the issues. Generally, there
are two types of research approach used by the scholar, inductive and deductive (Research
approach, 2020). In inductive research approach, researcher detects the pattern and based upon
qualitative research only. Whereas, deductive approach is relied upon the quantitative study and
based upon hypothesis in order to derive the best outcomes.
Among all, inductive research has been opted by the scholar in order to determine the
vulnerability and victimisation of sex associated with UK workers. Moreover, with the chosen
research approach, scholar is able to derive best conclusion and identify the pattern of
vulnerability within UK regard to the sex workers. As there is no numerical data has been used
and that is why deductive research approach cannot be opted in order to generate the valid
outcomes.
Research philosophy:
Research philosophy is the notion about a way through which the information about a
phenomenon can be collected, analysed and used. With the help of research philosophies, scholar
is able to present the assumption regarding to chosen topic and these assumption will also
determine the research strategy (Daniel, 2018). There are two types of research philosophies
mainly used by the scholar in order to derive the best outcomes i.e. Interpretivism and
positivism. In the current study, interpretivism philosophy has been used. The reason of
choosing this philosophy is to determine the facts with regard to vulnerability and victimisation
6

of sex associated with UK workers. The entire research is based upon the qualitative study and
that is why, through this philosophy scholar is able to interpret the key assumptions within a
study. This in turn assists to meet the defined aim of a study and conclude the valid results that
help to answer the research questions effectively.
Data collection
Data collection is the process of gathering, measuring and analysing the accurate
information that assist to meet the defined aim of a research (Khairuldin and et.al., 2020).
Generally, primary and secondary are the main two methods that scholar employs for the
purpose of data gathering. In this regard, data which is collected by the scholar for first time
through the means of survey, focus group, interview, observation etc known as primary. In
research, primary data is collected by the researcher for meeting research aim and addressing
questions. Further, data which has been gathered, analysed and published by other scholars
already termed as secondary. Hence, secondary data collection sources mainly include books,
journals and scholarly articles.
For deriving suitable solution of research issue or problem data has been collected using
both primary and secondary method. Under primary data collection methods, scholar uses the
survey method through the mean of questionnaire. In this, 30 sex workers of UK has been
selected in order to determine the vulnerability of sex workers in UK. Also, questionnaire has
been designed by considering the research objectives so that it will help to meet the defined aim.
On the other side, for secondary sources books, scholarly article and online websites has been
chosen in order to meet the research objectives. Thus, with the help of these data collection
methods scholar is able to conduct the research in an authentic manner.
Data analysis
Data analysis is the process of inspecting as well as cleansing the data whose main goal
is to discover the useful information from data collection in order to inform the conclusion
(Nayak and Singh, 2021). Basically, there are many methods through which the data can be
analysed but two of them are mostly used i.e. SPSS and Thematic analysis. SPSS is a software
which is used by the scholar when the research type is quantitative. Whereas, thematic data
analysis is used when qualitative study has been used in order to determine the views of
respondents in presentable manner.
Among all, scholar uses thematic data analysis method in which different themes, charts
7

and graphs has been used in order to interpret the results in better manner. In this method,
researcher also interprets the facts collected from the respondents effectively. Further themes as
been designed on the basis of research objectives which entails that research questions has been
addressed or not. Whereas, SPSS has not been used because the chosen topic does not have any
numerical information and that is why, thematic data analysis has been opted over other.
Sampling
It is the process through which scholar select some people from the larger population.
This methodology is mainly used when the research is based upon primary data collection
methods (Shahar and et.al., 2019). In the same way, the present study is also based upon both
primary and secondary, that is why, there is a need to take a sample from a population whose
views assist the scholar to answer the research questions. There are two types of sampling
method such that under purposive sampling, researcher chooses the members of a population by
their own in order to participate within a study. On the other side, non-purposive sampling is
another method through which researcher selects the samples based upon the subjective
judgment of the researcher instead of random selection.
Therefore, among all, researcher will chooses purposive sampling method in which
respondents has been selected randomly without any subjective judgement. As per the defined
aim, there are 30 sex workers of UK randomly chosen in order to examine the vulnerability and
victimisation of sex associated with UK workers. Through this sampling method, scholar is able
to determine victimization of sex workers and able to answer the research questions as well.
Reliability and validity
These are the most important key element of a research study because it helps to meet
the defined aim and conduct a research in precise manner. In order to meet the reliability aspect,
scholar uses the relevant sources which entails about the vulnerability and victimisation of sex
associated with UK workers. Further, scholar also chooses the copyright sources because it
provides valid results as compared to other sources. Moreover, scholar uses official sites in order
collect the relevant data such as online library, Statistica where the authentic data is available.
On the other side, reference list must be added at the end of the research in order to reflect that
the validity aspect of a research.
Ethical considerations
To meet the aim, scholar must conduct the research in an authentic and ethical manner.
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For that, scholar must comply with the data protection act in order to minimize the
communication error between respondents and scholar (Shrivastava and Shrivastava, 2021).
Also, make sure that sensitive data should not be shared to any other party. Along with this,
scholar should signed the consent form from the respondents prior to the research so that
effective results will be generated. Apart from this, to conduct the research in ethical manner,
also make sure that respondent’s dignity should not be harm and they have a right to withdraw as
per their will without any approval. Such that they took part voluntary and their identity will not
revealed. This aspects must be adhere in order to conduct the research ethically and also generate
the valid outcome as well.
Research limitations
Generally, time, money and unavailability of the sources are consider some of the most
common limitation within a research (Snyder, 2019). For the present study, scholar also faces
these limitations. Such that to minimize the time constraint, scholar uses qualitative study instead
of quantitative and this in turn assist to meet the defined aim of a research. Moreover, with the
help of thematic data analysis researcher could shed a light upon vulnerability and victimisation
of sex associated with UK workers. This in turn assist to minimize the money as a limitation
because it is not costly method and also able to meet the defined aim. Further, there are many
sites which are access denied and this in turn leads to unavailability of the sources. In order to
minimize the same, keywords will be used that helps to determine the suitable websites in order
to conduct the research in an authentic manner.
Timeline
Particulars Day
1
Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day
5
Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day
10
Selecting topic
Developing aim and
objectives
Selecting sources
for developing
thesis
9

Selecting research
methodologies
Formatting
Submission and
waiting for feedback
Modification and
submission
10