Understanding the impact of social policies on the lived experience of migrant sex workers in the UK.

My proposed project seeks to strengthen the current understanding of the experiences of migrant sex
workers in the UK, specifically in relation to UK social policy. For instance, how has the UK's 'hostile
environment' policy (i.e. additional restrictions for migrants wishing to access essential services such as
housing, welfare, banking, and healthcare) affected migrant sex workers and impacted on their safety,
security and wellbeing? By using an ethical and participatory approach to this research, I intend to
encourage migrant sex workers to participate in this research project and share their first-hand
experiences of how the UK's social policies are affecting them. Drawing on academic literature that
suggests that migrant sex workers already face a higher risk of marginalisation and social exclusion, my
research project will examine the intersection between migrant sex workers' typically lower socioeconomic
status, restricted access to essential services, and increased risk of violence, and how their
experience is influenced and shaped by the UK's policy environment. I will examine the dual exclusion
that migrant sex workers face due to their position as 'migrants' and 'sex workers' and how these
contribute to their lived experience in the UK. Through this I hope to develop an informed account of the
challenges faced by migrant sex workers in the UK and identify policies that may be harmful for their
safety, security and wellbeing. I also intend to highlight opposition and resistance to these policies by
migrant sex workers.