I Was Groomed into Prostitution – It Took Years for Me to Realize It Was Abuse
Introduction
It’s easy to assume that the people who work in the sex industry do it because they enjoy it or because it’s a choice. But for many, including myself, the reality is much grimmer. I was groomed into prostitution by a man who abused me and manipulated me until I thought it was normal. It took years for me to realize that what I was doing was abusive, and even longer to heal from it.
The Grooming Process
As a teenager, I was raped, and I didn’t tell anyone about it. Soon after, I started exchanging sexual messages with a man online who eventually coerced me into meeting him in person. He hit and sexually assaulted me on our first encounter, and I left feeling powerless and trapped. Over the years, he continued to abuse me, and I accepted it because I was too afraid to object.
I thought it was normal for a man to demand sexual favors from me and then give me money afterward. I thought it was normal for a man to be violent with me and make me feel small and insignificant. I thought it was normal because he had groomed me to believe it was.
The Life of an Escort
Eventually, I became an escort and started sleeping with random men for money. Some of them were nice, but most were entitled and rude. They treated me like a sex toy and didn’t care about my well-being or safety. Some even showed signs of wanting to hurt me, and I felt like it was my job to placate them and make them happy.
I kept my escorting a secret from everyone, living two separate lives. I was studying, socializing with friends, and going on dates with regular men, all while secretly servicing clients. The thought of being exposed never crossed my mind, even though I was constantly putting myself in danger.
Realizing It Was Abuse
It wasn’t until I was violently attacked by a client that I realized I didn’t want to be an escort anymore. The experience was traumatizing, and it was like a switch was flicked in my mind. I started to see how abusive and damaging the sex industry had been to me, and I knew I needed to leave it behind.
It took years of therapy and hard work to heal from the trauma and abuse that I had endured. I had to learn to love and respect myself again, which was no easy feat after years of being told that I was worthless and disposable.
Related Facts
– According to the International Labour Organization, there are an estimated 24.9 million victims of human trafficking globally, and around 4.8 million of those are forced into sexual exploitation.
– A study by the UK Home Office found that 93% of women in prostitution wanted to escape, but felt they had no other options.
– Research shows that a history of sexual abuse or trauma can increase the likelihood of becoming a victim of sex trafficking.
Key Takeaway
It’s important to understand that the sex industry is rooted in abuse and exploitation. Many people who work in it are forced or coerced into it, and they often suffer from physical, emotional, and psychological trauma as a result. It’s crucial to support and believe survivors of sex trafficking and to work towards abolishing the demand for paid sex.
Conclusion
Being groomed into prostitution was a traumatic experience that took years to heal from. I was manipulated and abused by a man until I thought what he was doing to me was normal. It wasn’t until I left the industry that I realized how damaging it had been to me. It’s important to recognize that prostitution is abuse and that we need to work towards ending it. We must support survivors and fight against the demand for paid sex.
