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Sex And Subscribers
episode • Insight • Current Affairs • 51m
episode • Insight • Current Affairs • 51m
Jenna has been an in-person full-service sex worker for the last 12 years, but like many in her industry, the Sydney-based escort pivoted to online sex work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
But when it comes to finding fame and fortune as an online sex worker, she says we're not being told the whole truth.
Despite being in the top 10 per cent of earners on an online subscription service during the pandemic, Jenna says her earnings from the platform were well below a sustainable wage.
"We're so used to hearing the success stories of top earners making a ridiculous amount of money, but those are extremely rare," Jenna said.
"If I was in the top 10 per cent of earners with an already established client base — then that means that the rest of the 90 per cent on these platforms are barely earning enough money to live on."
Subscribers to the platforms generally don't 'find' online sex workers through the site itself, meaning the workers will often need to seek to attract customers via social media platforms, often risking anonymity and subsequently being banned for breaching community guidelines.
But building a customer base from scratch and being banned in the process isn't the only concern for sex workers.
Speaking about building a life and identity outside of her work, Jenna says online sex workers face limits on many things people outside of the industry take for granted — such as being able to freely travel internationally, dating, raising children and applying for a mortgage.
"Many banks and even landlords don't consider the work that we do as legitimate work. But it is," Jenna told Insight.
"Facial recognition software plays a huge part and now governments have connected my legal name to my work name so there's a lot of things I can't do. I've been banned from all dating apps, and I can't travel to places such as the United States. When I do plan a trip elsewhere around the world — I have to factor in that I may be detained or deported because of what I do."
Annie says "there's a market for everyone" when asked if her career as an online sex worker is sustainable. Source: SBS
My side hustle cost me my job
Growing up in Melbourne, Annie had a very happy childhood and was fortunate to attend a private girls' school in Toorak. She says her tight-knit family unit did everything in their power to provide her with every opportunity possible.
Last year, Annie was working full-time for a marketing firm and created content as an online sex worker on the side. But her employer found out and she was sacked.
She recalls the time as being a 'reality check', particularly in relation to the stigma that online sex workers face.
The stigma of being an online sex worker didn't just affect her employment opportunities, it also had a profound impact on her relationships.
"It hasn't been an easy road. I faced criticism from a close group of friends who I'd known since I was five," Annie said.
"When I told them I was pursuing online sex work full time, they told me I was making the biggest mistake of my life and never spoke to me again."
The attention Annie received after publicly speaking out about losing her job caused her online earnings to skyrocket.
But she says the initial excitement was quickly replaced with a sense of fear.
"I thought to myself: 'How do I keep this up? Is this my new life now or just my 15 minutes of fame?'" Annie told Insight.
No opportunity to appeal
Mish Pony, CEO of Scarlet Alliance — Australia's peak body representing sex workers — says aside from social discrimination, financial discrimination is a major issue impacting online sex workers.
From being denied access to payment platforms to receive money for services to having payment platforms shut down, Mish says online sex workers often don't have access to adequate appeal processes.
"We've seen this across various online payment platforms...holding funds that haven't yet been disbursed into bank accounts, and sex workers not being to access or reopen their payment platforms," Mish told Insight.
Mish says sex workers using established platforms are not immune to similar practices and that online sex work is often glamorised despite the hours of behind-the-scenes labour and marketing — all with the risk of losing it all with no explanation.
"We're still seeing sex workers' accounts being shut down with no explanation about what terms and conditions they have breached," they said.
"On top of that, platforms that host content often have withdrawal limits, so if accounts are taken down for any reason at all, they could potentially have all of their earnings wiped in an instant, with no opportunity to appeal the decision or access their own money which they have rightfully earned."
Mish says they would like to see changes in legislation that allow online sex workers to appeal decisions made by tech companies, allowing them to protect their income stream and the content they produce.
They add that for those considering a career in the online sex industry, it's important to know your rights and connect with other sex workers for support through their local sex work advocacy groups such as Scarlet Alliance.
Jenna Love had an established client base for her in-person full-service sex work. She pivoted to online during the COVID-19 pandemic. Source: SBS / Brendan Esposito
The harsh reality of online sex work
Frustrated by those who say that stigma around sex work no longer exists due to decriminalisation in Australia, Jenna Love says this is far from the truth.
"Sex work is real work. But don't be tricked into thinking that it's easy," Jenna said.
"Sex workers are still getting their bank accounts shut down, sex workers get their children taken off them, sex workers are exploited, sex workers face hate,"
"People think by not paying for our services directly, they're not involved in supporting the industry,"
"But if you've ever watched porn - you've supported sex workers. Most people hate to admit that but it's the truth".
And for more stories head to – a new podcast series from SBS, hosted by Kumi Taguchi. From sex and relationships to health, wealth, and grief Insightful offers deeper dives into the lives and first person stories of former guests from the acclaimed TV show, Insight.
