TY - JOUR T1 - The happy hooker? JF - British Journal of General Practice JO - Br J Gen Pract SP - 556 LP - 557 VL - 54 IS - 504 AU - Charlotte Allan Y1 - 2004/07/01 UR - http://bjgp.org/content/54/504/556.abstract N2 - Hooker, harlot, whore, fallen woman, loose woman, tart, working girl, woman of easy virtue … It may be the oldest profession, but it is certainly not the most revered. For many, this hidden community is shrouded in a web of fascination and disgust. There are vast misconceptions surrounding prostitution, and women working in the sex industry face great prejudice. What do these ‘ladies of the night’ actually do and why do they do it?Sex workers are subjected to many stereotypes, which are frequently demeaning. They fail to see women as individuals or take account of the impossible position many women find themselves in. Women of all ages work in the sex industry; some work on the street, others indoors. They may work in ‘saunas’, their own homes or in the homes of their ‘punters’; through escort agencies, lap dancing clubs or the internet. They work during the day and the night. Some work specific hours, others work more erratically depending on their lifestyles and personal needs.Women work on the street for many reasons. Street work enables women to negotiate the services they provide and allows them choice over the hours they work. For women who are drug users, this fits in with a lifestyle of chaotic drug use. Historically, street workers have had support from other working women, who have looked out for each other. However, with increasing drug use, this has changed the environment, leaving women more vulnerable. By the nature of their location, it is relatively easy for women to advertise their services and attract punters. However, standing in the freezing cold ‘waiting for business’ is miserable and life working on the street is dangerous. Women are at risk of violence from punters, and harassment from the public and the police. This will make them more … ER -