Experiences of Social Service Professionals Working with Sex Workers: Unsung Heroes

Abstract This study was aimed at revealing the professional difficulties and problems faced by social service professionals who provide services to sex workers. We conducted in-depth interviews with 11 professionals working with sex workers in Turkey and focused on their working experiences. The interviews revealed that professionals had such problems as pressure, institutional loneliness, burnout, and lack of policy in institutions. They experienced professional problems such as insecurity, ethical violations, ethical dilemmas, secondary trauma, involuntary clients, and lack of professional knowledge. Despite these problems, the fact that professionals who mobilize resources for sex workers are not supported with protective and preventive measures has deepened their problems, and that professionals have not taken a course on sex work during their education makes it difficult for them. It is recommended to establish solidarity networks for the well-being of professionals. The educational content of undergraduate programs through which professionals who are to provide services in the field of social services are trained should be updated and such services should be expanded by taking the needs of sex workers into account. Researchers should generate knowledge by evaluating the problems in this area in evidence-based way and apply techniques to increase the validity of their studies.