The support for women that want out. : A qualitative study on how stigma and relationship-building in social work influence women’s pathways out of sex work.

This study examines the stigma surrounding women with experiences of sex work and how this stigma affects women who have left sex work when seeking support from non-governmental organizations and public authorities. The research problem is based on the deeply rooted social stigma linked to sex work, which can weaken trust and make it harder to build supportive relationships within social services. A central social problem is the limited knowledge of how women who have exited sex work experience support, professional reception, and the impact of stigma on their recovery. The study uses a qualitative research design with a hermeneutic perspective, allowing an interpretative understanding of lived experiences. The theoretical framework is based on symbolic interactionism and Goffman’s concept of stigma. Data were collected through qualitative triangulation, including a semi-structured interview with a social worker and an analysis of four autobiographies about women with experiences of sex work. The analysis focused on trust and relationship building, shame and guilt, collaboration between different actors, and intersectionality. The results show that trust and relationship building are key conditions for women to seek help, share stigmatized experiences, and begin recovery. Shame and guilt are major barriers to seeking support and often shape the recovery process, especially when social discourses place responsibility on the women rather than on perpetrators. The findings also highlight the importance of cooperation between organizations, anti-stigmatizing professional practice, and an individualized and intersectional approach to support. Overall, the study emphasizes the need for respectful, knowledge-based, and empathetic support for women who have left sex work.