Studies and accounts from survivors’ experiences validate that prostitution is intrinsically linked to psychological and emotional harm. Persons in prostitution often suffer from extremely high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and experience a struggle to maintain healthy intimate relationships.[1] One study showed that, 68% of prostituted persons demonstrated symptoms of PTSD, which is similar to the rate experienced by combat veterans.[2]
Disembodiment, dissociation, amnesia, depersonalization, denial, and splitting certain kinds of awareness and memories, were identified in several studies to be psychological defenses expended in response to the trauma experienced in prostitution.[3] In addition to these defenses, persons in prostitution are likely to acquire addictions to alcohol and/or drugs.[4] These defenses and coping mechanisms are necessitated by the experience of prostitution.[5]
No amount of regulation can prevent the high rates of PTSD, depression, and other psychological and emotional harms associated with prostitution. Why? Because prostitution is a de-personalized experience of repeated sexual invasion which caused one survivor described by stating: “What rape is to others, is normal to us.”[6]
[1] NCOSE. Bright Light on the Red Light: The Truth About Prostitution. https://endsexualexploitation.org/prostitution/
[2] Rachel Durchslag and Samir Goswami, “Deconstructing the Demand for Prostitution: Preliminary Insights from Interviews with Chicago Men Who Purchase Sex,” Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation, (May, 2008, p. 20).
[3] Farley, M. Baral, I. Kiremire, M. Sezgin, U. (1998). Prostitution in Five Countries: Violence and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. http://www.prostitutionresearch.com/ProstitutioninFiveCountries01182013.pdf.
[4] WHISPER. Sexual Exploitation is Nobody’s “Job.” https://endsexualexploitation.org/articles/sexual-exploitation-is-nobodys-job/
[5] Farley, M. Baral, I. Kiremire, M. Sezgin, U. (1998). Prostitution in Five Countries: Violence and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. http://www.prostitutionresearch.com/ProstitutioninFiveCountries01182013.pdf.
[6] Farley, M., Lynne, J. and Cotton, A. (2005). Prostitution in Vancouver: Violence and the colonization of First Nations women. Transcultural Psychiatry, 42(2), 242-271.
