Reorienting the discussion about sex work
We are Duke faculty members who engage in research and teaching related to sex, sexuality and sex work. The recent revelations regarding a Duke student’s decision to work in pornography have unleashed distressing attacks on her person, and we want to join with other members of the Duke community who have supported her against this onslaught of hate. These attacks include vicious name-calling, threats of sexual violence and outing her to family and friends. Many attackers hide under the cloak of anonymity, amplified by social media. While she is the current target, the toxic and derogatory words used to describe her are sadly familiar and part of a long history of shaming women involved in sex work. Our obligation as Duke faculty is to help shift the focus from moral judgment to an examination of the larger social issues at stake.