New research has highlighted the diversity of prior experience in the sex work industry.

A survey of 196 women, 28 men and 12 transgendered sex workers, one of the largest ever undertaken in the industry, had hoped to get a ‘real picture’ of working conditions for sex workers.

The survey showed that, of women choosing to engage in sex work in the UK, 71 per cent had previously worked in health care, social care, childcare, education, or charities.