Exploring the experiences of people with disability who access sex worker services, in Australia

Abstract

While millions of people with disabilities are in relationships, dating, or married, some fulfill their sexual and intimacy needs through sex worker services. Despite growing academic interest in sex worker clients over the past two decades, there remains a significant gap in knowledge specifically about clients with disabilities. Previous academic inquiries have often been part of broader studies that did not formally record disability status or were embedded within disability-specific research with minimal focus on this topic. Some insights have also come from studies involving sex workers. This thesis is significant because it focuses on the firsthand experiences of people with disability who access sex worker services. It contributes to the discourse championed by disability scholars and activists, emphasising the importance of first-person narratives and supporting the autonomy and self-determination of individuals with disability. This study aims to develop a deeper understanding of the experiences of people with disabilities who have accessed sex worker services in Australia. Despite anecdotal evidence suggesting that people with disability do visit sex workers, there is a lack of empirical data from first-person accounts. Therefore, this research seeks to translate individual experiences into a robust empirical dataset to inform evidence-based policy development, training programs, and educational workshops. This study employed two data collection methods: an online survey and semi-structured in-depth interviews. The findings reveal that a diverse range of people with disability have accessed sex worker services in Australia. Participants varied in age, gender, sexuality, and the types of sexual services they paid for. Numerous barriers were identified, including difficulties with sex worker advertising, inadequate or discriminatory support systems, and a lack of accessible venues. Positive accounts of third-party support from friends, family, and allied health practitioners also emerged. Participants shared personal reflections on both positive and negative experiences, highlighting how sex workers contributed to their sense of self, wellbeing, and confidence. Eight motivational factors were identified for seeking sex worker services: sexual enjoyment, desire for sexual variety, combating loneliness and isolation, seeking genuine intimacy and connectivity, lack of other sexual outlets, increasing sexual literacy, therapeutic healing, and recovery and rehabilitation. The research findings are expected to contribute to future policy development and educational programs to support people with disabilities in Australia. Key areas include specialised training for staff in the disability, aged care, and rehabilitation sectors, as well as those working with veterans and returned service personnel. Additional training and awareness workshops for the sex industry are also recommended.

Date of Award	2024
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Western Sydney University
Supervisor	Kerry Robinson (Supervisor)