Sex Work as a Trade School Program (ChatGPT version)

«It’s not easy to meet women. Sure I can walk into a bar and buy a lady a drink and under the pretext of a perhaps budding relationship seduce her into satisfying my sexual needs, but that goes against my grain to deceive another person no matter what the personal gratification. So I thought it more honest to solicit a prostitute.»
John, in court, in Ally McBeal: «Compromising Positions»

Sex work is an interesting topic — highly emotional — data and arguments usually fly out of the window quickly, being replaced by outrage and stereotypes. And there is a lot of bad research out there. I once read a dissertation thesis that came to the conclusion that sex work was traumatizing — not surprising considering the «researcher» recruited her participants in exit programs for sex workers. That’s like assessing the satisfaction with marriages in a country by going to battered women’s shelters. Those cases exist, but they are not the whole story. It also fits the view of many people that think only of destitute female street prostitutes when they hear sex work, as they are salient and frequently depicted. But there are other forms as well, incl. people who take up the oldest profession by choice.

Given the debate with ChatGPT about the legality of sex work (see this posting), I was wondering how legalized sex work would look like if it were part of trade school or the like.

Well, ChatGPT has some suggestions (with its usual lefty-biases):

My Input
The legal status of sex work differs in countries and there are various forms of it. Suppose in a country sex work is legalized and it becomes possible to learn this work in trade school. Suppose the trade would not only be sex work itself, but would include also the social and entertainment aspects of it. Akin to a «Gaisha» (Japan), a «Courtesan» (sixteenth-century Venice), or a «Companion» like in the TV series «Firefly», a Namaah’s servant of the Night Court in the «Kushiel» book series. What would be the requirements for people to qualify for such a training? And what would the application process look like? And how would the applicants be screened?

ChatGPT
Creating a framework for training individuals in sex work, including its social and entertainment aspects, would involve careful consideration of legal, ethical, and social factors. Here’s a hypothetical outline of how such a system might operate:

Requirements for Training:

1. Legal Age and Consent: Applicants must be adults of legal age, typically 18 or older, and must provide informed consent to participate in the training program.
2. Health Screening: Applicants would undergo comprehensive health screenings to ensure they are free from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and other communicable diseases. Regular screenings may be required throughout the training and employment period.
3. Psychological Evaluation: Given the intimate nature of the work, candidates would undergo psychological evaluations to assess their mental health and emotional resilience.
4. Cultural Sensitivity Training: Candidates should demonstrate cultural sensitivity and awareness, as they may be interacting with clients from diverse backgrounds.
5. Communication Skills: Strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential for engaging with clients and providing a positive experience. Training may include workshops on active listening, empathy, and conflict resolution.
6. Safety Training: Candidates must be trained in safety protocols to protect themselves and their clients from harm. This may include self-defense techniques, boundary-setting strategies, and knowledge of local laws and regulations regarding sex work.
7. Consent Education: Comprehensive education on consent, boundaries, and negotiation skills would be provided to ensure that all interactions are consensual and respectful.
8. Ethical Considerations: Training would include discussions on ethics, professionalism, and personal boundaries to empower workers to navigate potentially challenging situations with integrity.

Application Process:

1. Initial Application: Applicants would submit an initial application form, providing basic personal information and a statement of interest in the training program.
2. Interview: Shortlisted candidates would undergo an interview process to assess their suitability for the program. This interview may include questions about their motivations, prior experience (if any), and ability to meet the program requirements.
3. Background Check: Applicants would undergo background checks to ensure they do not have a history of violence, exploitation, or other criminal behavior that would pose a risk to themselves or others.
4. References: Applicants may be required to provide references from reputable individuals who can vouch for their character and suitability for the program.
5. Orientation Session: Successful applicants would attend an orientation session where they receive detailed information about the program structure, curriculum, and expectations.

Screening Process:

1. Legal Compliance: Applicants would be screened to ensure they are legally eligible to participate in the program, including verifying their age and citizenship status.
2. Health Assessment: Medical professionals would conduct health screenings to assess applicants’ physical health and identify any conditions that may impact their ability to perform the work safely.
3. Psychological Evaluation: Trained psychologists or counselors would assess applicants’ mental health and emotional stability to ensure they can cope with the demands of the profession.
4. Character Assessment: Screening would include assessing applicants’ character, integrity, and ethical values to ensure they are suitable for the profession.
5. Consent and Boundaries: Applicants would undergo training and assessment on their understanding of consent, boundaries, and respectful communication to ensure they can engage in the work ethically and responsibly.

Overall, the goal of the screening process would be to select candidates who are physically, mentally, and emotionally prepared for the demands of sex work and who possess the necessary skills and attributes to provide a safe, consensual, and fulfilling experience for their clients. Additionally, ongoing support and supervision would be provided to workers throughout their careers to ensure their well-being and professional development.

It can even provide a curriculum:

My Input
Great, thank you. Please devise a curriculum for such a training, with topics/skills, short content summary for each topic/skill, duration of training, followed by a time sheet that would be a workable format for a trade school.

ChatGPT
Curriculum for Sex Work Training Program

Duration: 6 months (Full-time)

Module 1: Introduction to Sex Work (2 weeks)

• Overview: Introduction to the history, legal frameworks, and cultural perceptions of sex work.
• Topics:
  • History of sex work
  • Legal considerations and rights of sex workers
  • Societal attitudes and stigma
• Skills:
  • Understanding of legal rights and responsibilities
  • Awareness of cultural diversity and sensitivity

Module 2: Communication and Interpersonal Skills (4 weeks)

• Overview: Development of effective communication and interpersonal skills essential for client interaction.
• Topics:
  • Active listening and empathy
  • Non-verbal communication
  • Negotiation and boundary-setting
• Skills:
  • Active listening and empathy
  • Conflict resolution
  • Assertiveness and boundary-setting

Module 3: Health and Safety (6 weeks)

• Overview: Comprehensive training on sexual health, safety protocols, and self-care practices.
• Topics:
  • Sexual health education and STI prevention
  • Safety protocols and risk management
  • Self-defense and personal safety
• Skills:
  • Understanding of sexual health and hygiene
  • Implementation of safety protocols
  • Self-defense techniques

Module 4: Client Services and Entertainment (8 weeks)

• Overview: Training in providing quality client services and entertainment experiences.
• Topics:
  • Client psychology and needs assessment
  • Sensuality and eroticism
  • Role-playing and fantasy fulfillment
• Skills:
  • Understanding client preferences and desires
  • Creating immersive experiences
  • Enhancing sensuality and eroticism

Module 5: Ethics and Professionalism (4 weeks)

• Overview: Exploration of ethical considerations, professionalism, and personal boundaries in sex work.
• Topics:
  • Ethical frameworks and dilemmas
  • Professional conduct and image
  • Self-care and burnout prevention
• Skills:
  • Ethical decision-making
  • Maintaining professionalism under pressure
  • Self-care practices

Module 6: Business and Financial Management (4 weeks)

• Overview: Practical guidance on managing finances, marketing, and entrepreneurship in the sex work industry.
• Topics:
  • Financial management and budgeting
  • Marketing and branding
  • Legal and tax considerations
• Skills:
  • Financial planning and budgeting
  • Marketing strategies and self-promotion
  • Understanding legal and tax obligations

Time Sheet Format:

Week	Module	Topics/Skills	Duration (Hours)
1-2	1	Introduction to Sex Work	40
3-6	2	Communication and Interpersonal Skills	80
7-12	3	Health and Safety	120
13-20	4	Client Services and Entertainment	160
21-24	5	Ethics and Professionalism	80
25-28	6	Business and Financial Management	80
Total			560 Hours

This curriculum and time sheet provide a structured and comprehensive training program for individuals aspiring to work in the sex industry. It covers essential topics such as communication, safety, client services, ethics, and business management, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared for the demands of the profession.

If you ask it, it will go into more details for the specific units. For example, you can ask for:

My Input
Great, please provide a detailed description of the Module 1: Introduction to Sex Work. Please include more detailed information of the content, then a comprehensive number of exercises to learn the content/train the skills, followed by a reading list of central existing literature on the module topic.

and it goes into details, including suggestions for workshops, exercises, role-play, etc. For example:

3. Stigma Role-Play:

• Role-play scenarios to simulate interactions with individuals expressing stigmatizing attitudes towards sex work. Participants will practice responding with empathy and assertiveness.

or

3. Self-Defense Training:

• Practical self-defense workshops where participants learn basic techniques for self-protection, including striking, blocking, and escaping from holds.

4. Self-Care Plan Development:

• Participants create personalized self-care plans, identifying stressors, triggers, and coping mechanisms to support their mental and emotional well-being.

or

1. Ethical Frameworks and Dilemmas:

• Introduction to ethical theories and frameworks relevant to sex work, such as utilitarianism, deontology, and feminist ethics.
• Discussion of common ethical dilemmas faced by sex workers, including issues of consent, autonomy, and exploitation.

2. Professional Conduct and Image:

• Overview of professional standards and expectations in the sex work industry, including confidentiality, punctuality, and boundaries.
• Training in maintaining a professional image and reputation through effective communication, grooming, and presentation.

3. Personal Boundaries and Self-Care:

• Exploration of personal boundaries and their importance in maintaining emotional and physical well-being.
• Strategies for setting and enforcing boundaries with clients, colleagues, and personal relationships.

4. Burnout Prevention and Self-Care Practices:

• Identification of signs and symptoms of burnout and compassion fatigue in sex work.
• Introduction to self-care practices, including stress management, mindfulness, and seeking support networks.

Unlikely that it will happen in the near future, giving the direction society is moving. But it would be an interesting program, after all, it is a demanding profession and the right education and training might prevent a lot of harm. It would also go way beyond what e.g., some SM Studios provide for the people who work there. (One advantage of BDSM, you have to know what you are doing, or it hurts in a bad way. So there is pressure to learn.)

But yeah, an interesting idea.