ZCZC
BFF-34
HEALTH-VIRUS-FRANCE-PROSTITUTES, FOCUS
Life under lockdown ups precarity for France’s prostitutes
PARIS, March 25, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – With their health in jeopardy and
customers evaporating, sex workers in France are struggling as the novel
coronavirus threatens their livelihoods — and there is no safety net in
sight.
Many are being forced onto the streets as they lose their incomes, at a
time when police are enforcing government orders for people to stay at home.
France has been in lockdown for a week, with only essential trips outside
allowed, in a bid to halt the acceleration of the virus’ spread.
“I have no choice since I work on the street and I travel to people’s
homes,” said Pamela, a 46-year-old prostitute from the southwestern city of
Toulouse who stopped working when the lockdown was announced.
Solicitations have not completely dried up, she said, but she has decided
to ignore them: “Pay a fine of 135 euros ($145) for a client at 50 euros,
no…”
However, if the lockdown continues, her meagre savings will no longer be
enough, she added.
“I will have to take risks. Even if I have two clients a week, it would at
least pay for food,” she said.
Her name, and those of the other prostitutes quoted have been changed for
this story.
“The situation is dramatic,” worries Sarah-Marie Maffesoli, a programme
coordinator at the human rights organisation Doctors of the World.
“There are almost no more customers. How long will they be able to stop
working?” she said.
“Being healthy without being able to eat or feed one’s children is
complicated.”
– Fundraising initiatives –
Prostitution itself is not illegal in France, though a law introduced in
2016 did make it illegal to buy sex, shifting the criminal responsibility to
clients who can be fined if caught.
But sex workers, few of whom have a self-employed work status, will not be
able to claim the 1,500 euros in aid promised by the French government to
independent workers to compensate for a drop in their activity due to the
virus outbreak.
To make up for gaps in support, the tight-knit sex worker community has
launched several fundraising initiatives online.
On one Instagram page called “tapotepute” (“your whore friend”), more than
10,000 euros was raised.
“We hope to help about 30 sex workers,” says Judith, 22, a Paris-based
escort who created the page.
For those who continue to work “to ensure their survival”, the sex
workers’ union Strass has published a series of recommendations on its
website such as to “avoid contact with saliva” or “any face-to-face sexual
position” .
Many associations which have had to suspend their in-person outreach
programmes are also worried that sex workers will end up homeless if they
can’t pay the rent or their accommodation is shut.
“With the lockdown, many hotels have closed and sex workers have found
themselves on the street,” Antoine Baudry, of the Lyon-based Cabiria
association for community health, said.
Migrants who work as prostitutes are in the most precarious situation,
particularly those who are undocumented and do not speak French.
“For them, it is not easy to know what they have the right to do and not
to do,” said June Charlot, a health mediator at Griselidis, a Toulouse
association distributing financial aid, prevention kits and travel
certificates.
– Webcams –
“The people we had on the phone are completely distraught,” she added.
The coronavirus health crisis does not only affect street prostitution,
but also escorts.
“My clients are quite wealthy. They are aware of the risks, they no longer
ask for me,” said Charlie, a 28-year-old Parisian who says she can normally
earn 2,000 euros a month “without working much”.
“I have a bit of money set aside, but I can’t last more than a month,” she
added.
With movement and social contact heavily restricted under the lockdown,
webcam sites could be the solution — for those who can afford it and are
tech savvy.
“I don’t trust the internet and online payments, I don’t know how to do
it,” Nathalie, a 48-year-old Toulouse escort, said.
Charlie, whose parents are unaware of her activity, fears being subjected
to blackmail or revenge porn, or online harassment if her videos are stolen
which is common.
“The platforms lack security and confidentiality. Anyone can take a
screenshot and then share it,” she said.
Above all, “it requires resources, a good connection and a computer,” says
Eva Vocz, a “camgirl” from Marseille, who charges 50 euros for 20 minutes.
“It’s a job that can be learned, to develop a technique, communicate on
social networks to build a fan base. It takes time,” she said.
The free access offered by several major pornography platforms during the
lockdown has also dried up the customer base.
“They buy a good image, generate clicks and advertising revenue but
nothing will be redistributed to us,” Eva said.
BSS/AFP/IJ/1717 hrs