Internet Sex Work: Beyond the Gaze - Hardcover

“The use of the internet as a mode for the marketing and provision of commercial sex is increasing globally. In this book, the authors provide a fascinating account of this form of sex work in the UK. These world-renowned researchers have used a rigorous and comprehensive research design, taking a participatory approach, to provide an understanding of the variety of modes of internet-based commercial sex, their organization and associated working practices, as well as the legal and regulatory consequences. It is an essential read and provides a major contribution to the field of sex work research.” (Gillian Abel, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand)

“The most comprehensive and sophisticated study of internet-facilitated sex work available.  Based on both qualitative and quantitative methods, the book documents key structural features of this online world and offers important insights on its participants and stakeholders – sex workers, their customers, and the authorities.  The authors examine a variety of online sex markets, the norms governing them, the new opportunities they offer for both providers and customers, and the way that potential risks are managed by sex workers. The findings will be of great interest to both scholars and policy makers.” (Ronald Weitzer, George Washington University, USA)

“This timely and important book is both methodologically rigorous and analytically sophisticated. It provides a much needed descriptive portrait of online sex work, which includes data about the characteristics of sex workers and the intricate ways in which these workers use the internet to earn wages and build social networks. This book meticulously explores the rise of new crimes and new policing strategies that have emerged as a result of the growth of online sex markets. This book is a must read for anyone interested in sex work, digital technologies, and criminology.” (Angela Jones, Farmingdale State College, SUNY, USA)

This book takes readers behind the screen to uncover how digital technologies have affected the UK sex industry. The authors use extensive new datasets to explore the working practices, safety and regulation of the sex industry, for female, male and trans sex workers primarily working in the UK. Insights are given as to how sex workers use the internet in their everyday working lives, appropriating social media, private online spaces and marketing strategies to manage their profiles, businesses and careers. Internet Sex Work also explores safety strategies in response to new forms of crimes experienced by sex workers, as well as policing responses. The book will be of interest to students and scholars across a range of social science disciplines, including gender studies, socio-legal studies, criminology and sociology.