The difficult argument on sex work doesn’t seem close to a resolution. Sex work itself is becoming more popular. The most financially rewarding paths can be found on apps such as OnlyFans.
While OnlyFans is not exclusively adult content, it limits its users to be at least 18 years of age. This is due to card subscription protocols and possible inappropriate content. OnlyFans is most popular among sex workers and their subscribers.
Sex work is now seeing normalization of sex work in media and increases in profit. Some of the most high-earning OnlyFans creators make over $100,000 a month. Some view this as a positive step toward decriminalizing sex work.
However, we must consider how harmful sex work is for different disadvantaged populations.
One of the most disadvantaged groups of sex workers, children, will receive further protection through Utah’s H.B. 22 this legislative session. This is a step in the right direction, but other vulnerable groups need protection, too.
Exploiting Vulnerable Groups
Pornhub’s 2024 most popular search recap included multiple racial terms, such as “Japanese,” “Latina,” “Asian” and “Ebony.” Terms like “ebony” make some Black women uncomfortable and reinforce stereotypes.
This is facet of sex work is incredibly demeaning to women of color.
Women of color are often fetishized in pornography in abusive and demeaning representations. The organization Fight the New Drug states an adult film recently featured fake American border patrol agents raping Mexican and Central American women attempting to cross the border.
This is a real devastating occurrence for vulnerable women. Fantasizing and manifesting this is inhumane for both the actors and viewers.
LGTBQ+ individuals also face mountains of negative connotations within sex work. One common theme among bisexual-themed videos is that bisexual women are overly hypersexual and serial cheaters.
Within trans groups in pornography, individuals are sometimes objectified rather than loved and respected. Fetishizing sexual orientation or gender identity puts another disadvantaged group at risk of violence and disrespect.
Unfortunately, H.B. 22 doesn’t discuss the importance of protecting these disadvantaged groups. The statistics for sex trafficking offenses continue to rise. Similarly, Utah’s population continues to grow and diversify, putting more queer people and people of color in danger of sex trafficking.
Thus, Utah legislators must protect ethnic and gender minorities that are more often sex trafficked and sexually abused.
The Utah House of Representatives does appear to seek and record data on sex trafficking. However, the scope of their fight against it seems too tightly focused. H.B. 22 accentuates the importance of protecting the youth.
In 2023, the U.S. hosted the highest viewer count on Pornhub, a popular pornography site. From 2012 to 2016, the category “teen” remained among Pornhub’s most popular searches, always being in the top ten.
This category solely depicts girls who look younger than 18 years old, and nobody is certain that they aren’t.
Endangering Children
A large issue in contemporary debate is sex work relating to minors. It must be noted that not all sex workers are directly responsible for the exploitation of children and the distribution of child pornography.
However, categories such as “teen” only normalize and amplify this fascination some sick individuals have.
The usage of terms like “teen” and the creation of videos that appease child-like fetishes create normalized environments where child porn producers and distributors feel there is a community who will support their work.
Child porn is prevalent across the globe. Even in Utah, multiple stories of adults owning, producing and distributing child pornography have been revealed. Shockingly, some of these criminals include school teachers.
One of the biggest reasons children are in pornographic videos is sex trafficking.
Sex trafficking is a horrific crime that can be pursued through multiple avenues. It does not require the victim to be kidnapped. Instead, young people can continue to live at home, go to school and seem like regular children, while still being forced to perform commercial sexual activities.
It is shocking that in 2019 Utah had one of the highest child pornography rates in the nation. H.B. 22 hopes to elicit prevention and protection for child victims.
Legislative Action
The Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Interim Committee recommended that H.B. 22 be put into doctrine and practice. One of the bill’s primary goals is to create new requirements to protect vulnerable children from possible exploitation.
To deter vulnerable children from possible unsafe environments, H.B. 22 makes it more difficult for certain individuals to gain direct access. In rewriting Section 26B-2-120, it defines “applicants” to direct care as adoptive or foster parents and direct care providers.
The new requirements to gain direct access to children are rigid. Applicants must submit personal identification, fees and criminal histories.
Background processing offices then complete background checks and check Child Abuse Offender Registries and other databases regarding kidnapping and sexual offenses.
Another key feature of this amendment to Section 26B-2-120 is application denial. If an applicant has, in the past three years, been convicted of a “felony or misdemeanor” related to sexual violence, their application will be immediately denied.
This is an excellent progression in protecting vulnerable youth from possible sex trafficking and exploitation. Sex traffickers can be family and friends of victims.
Creating boundaries for youth to prevent possible harm is a great change. Although, it would be even more valuable if the time allotted for immediate dismissal were increased. The well-being and safety of a child is not worth the risk.
Still to Come
H.B. 22’s extensive list of changes is admirable. However, additional vulnerable groups must also be protected. Women of color and LGBTQ+ individuals are also subject to forceful sexual behavior and exploitation.
Utah legislators and The Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Interim Committee must explore further protections for sex abuse victims already disadvantaged.
A valuable focus should be placed on women of color in Utah. A prime example is Native women. Close-to-home exploitation follows recent awareness and stories regarding Paiute women in sex trafficking.
Protecting all people from the dangers of exploitive sex work and sex trafficking is necessary for upholding Utah’s integrity. By shifting focus to other disadvantaged groups, Utah could pioneer its way into creating a lasting legislature with the wellbeing of all citizens in mind.
