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• Escort reviews include dehumanising phrases, such as comparing having sex with a woman in prostitution to shagging a dead fish
• Consent-based approach within the sex trade overlooks social and emotional challenges 
• Researchers recommend introducing the Nordic Model approach to prostitution

Reviews left by sex buyers on UK escort websites can compromise the safety of women in the sex industry, from the University of 1024�˹��� has revealed.

The findings demonstrate how sex buyers write discriminatory reviews about women in prostitution when their fantasies are disrupted, highlighting how digital technology provides a sense of control over a woman’s autonomy in the sex industry.

Researchers analysed 28,000 reviews from 10,000 reviewers over two decades, and  identified themes and patterns linked to particular words, phrases or language. 

They found men asserted entitlement over a woman’s body when they didn’t receive what they wanted or expected. The buyers would leave negative reviews and insinuate the escort had a “bad attitude” when they established boundaries. They often disregarded the women’s well-being and overall safety.

, published in , has reinforced revealing how online platforms are significant facilitators of sexual exploitation and how processes need to be put into place to prevent this. 

The research also links to the recent Pelicot case which made headlines across the world last year, when a French man was found guilty of drugging his wife and recruiting dozens of men to rape her over a decade. The case, which resulted in 51 convictions overall, highlighted the limitations of consent. Although those involved in the case weren’t paying for sexual acts, as per the study, they still felt entitled to a woman’s body because someone else had “consented” on her behalf.

The paper says  the  consent-based approach within the sex trade is insufficient because it overlooks social and emotional challenges within the industry as the choices women make may be influenced by external factors, including or social pressures. 

It further explores the idea that sex buyers often avoid accountability regarding sexual violence because of the perception that women in prostitution willingly enter the industry as they choose this type of work.

Dr Alessia Tranchese, from the University of 1024�˹���’s School of Education, Languages and Linguistics and Research Fellow at the , said: “When previously researching violence against women, I came across an article discussing similar reviews, and I was very shocked at some of the content.

“The study aims to delve deeper into what led to negative reviews, and how this could be connected to lack of consent.”

The research also uncovered how reviews pressurise women in prostitution into obeying requests from clients which could ultimately compromise their safety. Women in these situations may also feel like they cannot set boundaries, enabling the sex buyers to take advantage.

“The study demonstrates how consent remains problematic because of its temporary nature, allowing men to reinforce power over women. The research shows how non-consensual sex is normalised among sex buyers and the current status of prostitution in the UK puts women at risk”,  added Dr Tranchese.

The paper’s authors recommend introducing a misogyny-based approach to prostitution, similar to the Nordic Model, which was the first to criminalise the purchase but not the sale of sex.