Abstract
In this chapter, we report on sex workers’ responses to incidents of unwanted contact—such as the removal of a condom, non-payment, or other client behaviours that crossed their boundaries. We examine the actions sex workers take during and after these violations, exploring their motivations and the influence of formal law, workplace rules, and social norms. We analyse the factors that lead sex workers to various responses and how their reactions differ based on the legal context and the sex market they operate in. Survey responses reveal that sex workers rarely seek statutory support services. We explore how their legal consciousness shapes their individual actions and intersects with workplace responses. This analysis highlights the dynamics between sex workers’ understanding of formal law, workplace policies and culture, and the informal norms.