Women involved in prostitution are amongst the most victimized groups in society. However, there are some commentators who present it as a non-victim crime. Although subject to multiple forms of victimization, prostitutes are often not considered to be ‘suitable victims’ by the authorities. Even those who are victims of sex trafficking are poorly treated, and the responses to the European Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings have been uneven and inconsistent. The issue of victimization raises the issue of coercion and the extent to which women involved in prostitution can be said to give their full consent when providing sexual services for payment. © The Author(s) 2014.

Sex work Consent violence Prostitution Victimization Coercion

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