THE GREAT HOBBY/: Rachel Durchslag: Why We Should Listen to Men Who Buy Sex
Men who buy sex (often called johns) have remained largely silent in the public discourse about sex trafficking and prostitution. In many ways, that makes sense, as most johns don’t want to draw attention to their activities. But it turns out that many of them do want to share their stories, at least with other johns.
This month, the Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation released a report that analyzes the USA Sex Guide, a website with forums where men discuss buying sex. I worked with researcher Lara Janson for more than two years as she analyzed posts from Illinois about what johns call their “great hobby,” buying sex. The final report reveals a world where johns encourage each other’s sex purchasing, discuss violence in the sex trade, and react to law enforcement efforts to curb prostitution.
More: Rachel Durchslag: Why We Should Listen to Men Who Buy Sex
Research Release: Online Forums for Men Who Buy Sex in Illinois