In today’s increasingly cashless society, losing access to your bank account can be a nightmare. For sex workers in the UK, this is an all-too-common reality. The UK financial sector is effectively “waging war” on the profession by freezing or closing accounts based solely on their line of work. This unjust practice leaves many without warning, locked out of their accounts and unable to access their own money.
Becky Webster, a former NHS nurse turned sex worker, has experienced this discrimination firsthand, with her accounts being frozen or closed 15 times. This isn’t due to fraudulent activity but rather the stigma attached to her profession. This is not an isolated incident; according to Decrim Now, over 80% of Sex Workers Union (SWU) members have faced some form of financial discrimination.
Despite sex work being a legal and taxable profession in the UK, sex workers often find themselves excluded from basic banking services. This financial discrimination forces them into precarious situations, unable to pay bills or purchase necessities. The irony is striking: while the Government recognizes sex workers as taxpayers, the financial sector deems them too risky to bank with.
This discriminatory practice against sex workers raises the question of why other professions, especially those with higher societal risks, are not subjected to the same financial scrutiny. Politicians, whose decisions can have far-reaching and sometimes corrupt impacts are never de-banked. Similarly, industries such as gambling, tobacco, pharmaceuticals and even firearms, that can carry significant social and health risks, face less stringent banking restrictions. The selective targeting of sex workers underscores a deeply ingrained bias.
In today’s increasingly cashless society, losing access to your bank account can be a nightmare. For sex workers in the UK, this is an all-too-common reality. The UK financial sector is effectively “waging war” on the profession by freezing or closing accounts based solely on their line of work. This unjust practice leaves many without warning, locked out of their accounts, and unable to access their own money.
Becky Webster, a former NHS nurse turned sex worker, has experienced this discrimination firsthand, with her accounts being frozen or closed 15 times. This isn’t due to fraudulent activity but rather the stigma attached to her profession. This is not an isolated incident; according to Decrim Now, over 80% of Sex Workers Union (SWU) members have faced some form of financial discrimination.
Despite sex work being a legal and taxable profession in the UK, sex workers often find themselves excluded from basic banking services. This financial discrimination forces them into precarious situations, unable to pay bills or purchase necessities. The irony is striking: while HMRC recognizes sex workers as taxpayers, the financial sector deems them too risky to bank with.
This discrimination extends beyond financial exclusion. It puts sex workers at greater risk by pushing them to find alternative, often dangerous ways to access their money. The societal stigma around sex work exacerbates this, ignoring the fact that many sex workers are simply trying to make a living like anyone else.
One of the few alternatives for sex workers to earn a legitimate income is through platforms like OnlyFans. Ironically, OnlyFans, created in the UK, offers a safe space for sex workers to operate within legal boundaries. However, relying on such platforms comes with its own set of challenges, including high fees and the constant threat of account deactivation.
OnlyFans’ popularity surged during the pandemic, helping to legitimize sex work for some. However, the financial discrimination by banks makes it clear that the fight for legitimacy is far from over. Sex workers are often caught between the need to use platforms like OnlyFans and the fear of losing access to their hard-earned money.
The hypocrisy of this situation is glaring. While the capitalist society values production and profit, it imposes moralistic stipulations on sex workers, questioning their legitimacy despite their contributions to the economy. In a recession, this financial discrimination can have dangerous consequences, leaving sex workers in an even more vulnerable position.
Ultimately, sex workers should not have to prove their legitimacy to banks when they are already recognized as tax-paying citizens. The financial sector’s discriminatory practices must end to ensure that sex workers can live and work with the same security and dignity as anyone else.
This discrimination extends beyond financial exclusion. It puts sex workers at greater risk by pushing them to find alternative, often dangerous ways to access their money. The societal stigma around sex work exacerbates this, ignoring the fact that many sex workers are simply trying to make a living like anyone else.
One of the few alternatives for sex workers to earn a legitimate income is through platforms like OnlyFans. Ironically, OnlyFans, created in the UK, offers a safe space for sex workers to operate within legal boundaries. However, relying on such platforms comes with its own set of challenges, including high fees and the constant threat of account deactivation.
During the pandemic, OnlyFans experienced a significant rise in popularity, which played a role in normalizing sex work. Nevertheless, the ongoing financial discrimination practiced by banks underscores that the struggle for legitimacy persists. Sex workers frequently find themselves in a precarious position, relying on platforms like OnlyFans while grappling with the constant threat of losing access to their earnings. This raises a pertinent question: if banks target sex workers for account closures, should they also consider the ramifications for platforms like OnlyFans, which derive a substantial portion of their revenue from sex work-related activities?
It’s surprising that platforms like OnlyFans, which have seen a substantial increase in business due to the contributions of sex workers, haven’t taken a more vocal stance against the discriminatory practices of banks. Given their financial influence and the significant portion of their revenue generated by sex workers, one might expect them to advocate more forcefully for the rights of these individuals whose livelihoods are directly impacted by the financial discrimination perpetuated by banks. It raises questions about corporate responsibility and the role of businesses in advocating for the rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of their profession.
The hypocrisy of this situation is glaring. While the capitalist society values production and profit, it imposes moralistic stipulations on sex workers, questioning their legitimacy despite their enormous contributions to the economy. In a recession, this financial discrimination can have dangerous consequences, leaving sex workers in an even more vulnerable position.
Ultimately, sex workers should not have to prove their legitimacy to banks when they are already recognized as tax-paying citizens. The financial sector’s discriminatory practices must end to ensure that sex workers can live and work with the same security and dignity as anyone else.
