Sexarbeit und Soziale Arbeit

: Lebenswelten und Zukunftsperspektiven von weiblichen Sexarbeiterinnen

Abstract

This Master's thesis examines the life worlds of sex workers, the conditions they need in order to exit the prostitution field, as well as their future visions and perspectives. In addition, the support services that current or former sex workers wish for within the context of social work are addressed. The thesis explores the life worlds of sex workers to determine whether these women actually have the desire to exit sex work or not. Furthermore, it was investigated whether they have future perspectives within sex work if a career change is not an option. For this purpose, qualitative biographical-narrative interviews were conducted with seven sex workers. The results show that sex workers in Austria continue to suffer from precarious working conditions. They are exposed to stigma, discrimination, workplace insecurity, and associated violence and financial pressure. Most women want to leave the sex industry, but are unable to do so due to their financial situation and lack of education. Women who want to continue working in the sex industry strive for professionalization and further development in sex work. Most women do not require support services from social work, as they feel mentally strong. The work concludes with the recommendation that preventive and supportive programs should be developed to facilitate leaving the industry and to enable a sustainable career perspective outside the sex industry.

Date of Award	2025
Original language	German (Austria)
Supervisor	Dagmar Strohmeier (Supervisor)