Sex workers (NR)
Nikki Rixon/Twenty Ten
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A SEX WORKER
Associated feature: Barbara's dream (Multimedia feature) and Football et prostitution (French text feature)
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Natasha is one of 4000 street-based sex workers in the Western Cape. Originally from Johannesburg, she lost her mother at a young age and never knew her father. She was forced to grow up quickly and learn to fend for herself. Now, living in a shared flat with her friend Toni, she spends her days hanging out the windows smoking cigarettes or grocery shopping with friends, and her nights in the pub trying to pick up clients.
Natasha has been working as a prostitute in Cape Town for four years and, in that time, has suffered abuse and harassment from the police force. Her belief is that the decriminalisation of prostitution would ensure the protection of sex workers, both verbally and physically, and allow them access to much needed health care.
These young women join the current debate over whether to decriminalise prostitution in the run up to the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup.
The police force’s relationship with the sex work industry can in some cases be turbulent; with abusive situations arising due to the fact that sex work is illegal in this country. Some argue that making the sex industry illegal opens the door for police corruption and mistreatment, and increases the vulnerability of sex workers (particularly street-based workers).
Sex workers find that they are not able to approach the police for assistance in cases of abuse during the course of their work. Decriminalization may lessen the amount of abuse the girls are exposed to, both in terms of police interventions and exploitative working conditions. "Rescuing" or "removing" women from their role as a sex worker may not in fact be what they need. Rather, recourse to the law may be more helpful to them.
Furthermore, legalisation of the industry may strengthen the bargaining power of sex workers when negotiating contracts with brothel owners and their negotiating power with clients.
As the debate rages, Natasha continues to earn her daily wage as a prostitute and anticipates increased trade during the World Cup period.
Natasha and her friend Toni share a flat together in Cape town. They are street-based sex workers, and have been working in the industry for four years now. During their careers they have experienced verbal abuse and harassment from the police force. They believe that decriminalization of prostitution would ensure the protection of sex workers in terms of verbal abuse/physical violence, and allow them access to health care.
Natasha makes her bed in the morning. She is a street-based sex worker, and has been working in the industry for four years. She believes that the decriminalization of prostitution would ensure the protection of sex workers in terms of verbal abuse/physical violence, and allow them access to health care.. (Credit: Nikki Rixon/Twenty Ten/Africa Media Online)
Street-based sex worker, Natasha, smokes a cigarette out of her lounge window in Cape Town. Her belief is that the decriminalization of prostitution would ensure the protection of sex workers in terms of verbal abuse/physical violence, and allow them access to health care.. (Credit: Nikki Rixon/Twenty Ten/Africa Media Online)
Toni smokes her first cigarette of the day while lying in her bed in the lounge. She shares the flat with Natasha. Both are street-based sex workers, and have been working in the industry in Cape Town for 4 years now. During Toni's career she has experienced verbal abuse and harassment from the police force. Her belief is that decriminalization of prostitution will ensure the protection of sex workers in terms of verbal abuse/physical violence, and allow them access to health care.
Natasha takes a shower before starting her day. She is a street-based sex worker, and has been working in the industry in Cape Town for four years. She believes that the decriminalization of prostitution would ensure the protection of sex workers in terms of verbal abuse/physical violence, and allow them access to health care.(Credit: Nikki Rixon/Twenty Ten/Africa Media Online)
Street-based sex worker, Natasha, relaxes on her couch in the lounge. Originally from Johannesburg, she lost her mother at a young age and never knew her father. Her belief is that the decriminalization of prostitution would ensure the protection of sex workers in terms of verbal abuse/physical violence, and allow them access to health care.. (Credit: Nikki Rixon/Twenty Ten/Africa Media Online)
Natasha and her friend Sandy buy groceries at their local supermarket in Cape Town. They are street-based sex workers, and have been working in the industry for four years. Natasha believes that the decriminalization of prostitution would ensure the protection of sex workers in terms of verbal abuse/physical violence, and allow them access to health care.. (Credit: Nikki Rixon/Twenty Ten/Africa Media Online)
Street-based sex worker, Natasha, looks out of the window in her flat, onto the street below. Her belief is that the decriminalization of prostitution would ensure the protection of sex workers in terms of verbal abuse/physical violence, and allow them access to health care.. (Credit: Nikki Rixon/Twenty Ten/Africa Media Online)
Natasha prepares lunch at her flat in Cape Town. She is a street-based sex worker, and has been working in the industry for four years. Her belief is that the decriminalization of prostitution would ensure the protection of sex workers in terms of verbal abuse/physical violence, and allow them access to health care.. (Credit: Nikki Rixon/Twenty Ten/Africa Media Online)
Street-based sex worker, Natasha, does her friends' hair in her spare time. Here, she moisturises a girl's scalp. Natasha's belief is that the decriminalization of prostitution would ensure the protection of sex workers in terms of verbal abuse/physical violence, and allow them access to health care.. (Credit: Nikki Rixon/Twenty Ten/Africa Media Online)
Street-based sex worker, Natasha, gets dressed for work. She has been working in the sex industry for four years and believes that the decriminalization of prostitution would ensure the protection of sex workers and allow them access to health care.. (Credit: Nikki Rixon/Twenty Ten/Africa Media Online)
Street-based sex worker, Natasha, brushes her wig in her bedroom and gets ready for work. She has been working in the sex industry in Cape Town for 4 years. Her belief is that decriminalization of prostitution would ensure the protection of sex workers in terms of verbal abuse/physical violence, and allow them access to health care..
Natasha sits on her bed, adjusting her wig in the mirror while she gets ready for work. She is a street-based sex worker, and has been working in the industry for four years. Her belief is that the decriminalization of prostitution would ensure the protection of sex workers in terms of verbal abuse/physical violence, and allow them access to health care.. (Credit: Nikki Rixon/Twenty Ten/Africa Media Online)
Street-based sex worker, Natasha, takes the elevator in the apartment block where she lives. Her belief is that the decriminalization of prostitution would ensure the protection of sex workers in terms of verbal abuse/physical violence, and allow them access to health care.. (Credit: Nikki Rixon/Twenty Ten/Africa Media Online)
Street-based sex workers, Natasha and Sandy, in a pub where they try to attract clients. Both girls have been working in the industry in Cape Town for 4 years. They believe that the decriminalization of prostitution would ensure the protection of sex workers in terms of verbal abuse/physical violence, and allow them access to health care..
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