My friend has become a prostitute

[mummyosborne]

Im so worried about a very close friend of mine, shes been off at uni and she came back for a visit and shes just started as a prostitue, she had no money and thousands of pounds of uni debt, but shes already had a lot of problems with self harming and depression and im so worried this is going to lead back to those, not to mention all the other risks. i tried explaining the risks to her and she just wouldnt listen, so i snapped and told her she wasnt allowed to be my daughters god mother if she was going to sell herself. Im so angry with myself for that comment thats the last thing she needed what she needed was support but i just didnt know what to say to her, has anyone got any advice? or know any helplines or anything i can call? please help me

 

[BeccaxBump]

Oh dear, that's a bad situation and it's what to do for the best. Have a search for helplines in google for help with prostitution(sp?), there will be some. Maybe read some shock stories to your friend?
It's a really difficult thing and she really doesn't need to do it, there is always help for people in debt.
xoxox

 

[mummyosborne]

thank you for replying, i really want to help her and i know she is capable of getting help else where i just think she doesnt know where to look, ill try searching google but shockingly a lot of the stories i found were encouraging it! so obviously thats the last thing i want to show her. i just dont know what to do

 

[xlouloux]

I'm sorry I don't have much advice for you to give her.

I was wondering when you say she has become a prostitute, do you mean she has decided to just go out and find people to pay to have sex with her, or has she joined some sort of agency or website where it's classed as an "escort?" I know they are the same thing, but that could be the reason for finding so many stories encouraging it! Unfortunately plenty of women (and men) become so called escorts for the same reasons as your friend.

 

[shocker]

To be perfectly honest I think that if someone chooses to work in the sex industry that is entirely there own choice and not something anyone else should look down on them for or make negative comments about. I have a few friends who work as escorts and actually really enjoy their jobs although I realise that isnt true for everyone! It sounds like your friend is doing this because of low self esteem, given her history of self harm and depression this could well be for her another way of acting out self loathing. It sounds like you've got your head screwed on here and its good that you realise your friend needs support not judgement! I would advise asking her to speak to a counsellor trained in dealing with the unique problems/worries that working in this particular industry can cause, if she chooses to go ahead with it then make sure she is truely aware of the dangers and has as many precautions in place as possible ie: joining a reputable agency,getting regular tests,always using protection. It will take a long long time to cope with the repercussions of going through with this even once if she isn't 100% sure, make sure she knows she has lots of options and your support. Here is a list of services for those working in the sex industry (putting mostly uk based not sure where you are exactly) that can offer her support and advice. These are non judgemental, completely confidential and mostly staffed by people either working in the industry themselves or who have in the past, they will be best suited to advise her on this decision and offer her support whatever she choses, you may be able to find more localised help if you contact one these sites, best of luck

https://www.saafe.info

https://www.uknswp.org

https://www.sexworkersproject.org/resources/rights-and-support/

 

[mummyosborne]

thank you so much for your responces, i know that there are a lot of people who love doing this as a job, and great for them, but i know her very well and i know she isnt strong enough to deal with it, i also know she is going to hate herself for it.
I will have a look at those websites you sent me (yes im in the uk!) thank you xx

 

[resursval]

thank you so much for your responces, i know that there are a lot of people who love doing this as a job, and great for them, but i know her very well and i know she isnt strong enough to deal with it, i also know she is going to hate herself for it.
I will have a look at those websites you sent me (yes im in the uk!) thank you xx

If all women had a friend like you then maybe there wouldn't be so many men treating women badly in this world. Kind of ironic it's women that give life and yet we get treated so poorly. The world is indeed upside down.

 

[Mummy2B21]

oh gosh i have no advice hun i had two friends in school i didnt see them as much when we left but we were quite good friends and they both got into prostitution i only found out as my bf at the time took me with him to a mate of his who sold weed and my bf of time was buying some the house his mate lived in shared it with an old bloke and i was standing in the hall and my friend walked out a bedroom and into the bathroom 5 mins later an old man came out half naked and my bfs mate told me what she was doing, my second friend i found out about from my brother as his mate was her ex and my first friend got her into it second girl was just 16 and first 18/19 at the time, they are both settled down now with a baby and engaged so i am very relieved they didnt get hurt. I didnt tell anyone about my friends i felt it wasnt my place but looking back now i should of done something as if anything did happen to them i would of felt guilty for not telling anyone knowing it could of been preventable, i wouldnt kbow who to tell though as you wouldnt want to report them its a very hard situation i just hope your friend is ok xxx