I see a lot of antis using former sex workers to argue against sex work; while I sympathize with those whose experience in sex work was negative, radfems can turn anyone who disagrees with them into a monster. What’s the best rebuttal to radfems weaponizing a former worker’s trauma?
Unfortunately, it’s extremely difficult for an ethical person to respond to unethical attacks. When prohibitionists exploit damaged, confused people to attack others, it’s very much like terrorists strapping explosives to a child and sending them into a target building or vehicle; the only way for the intended victim to save themselves is to shoot the child before they close the distance, which obviously any normal person would be hesitant to do. In the case of ex-sexworkers exploited in this way, it’s virtually impossible to engage directly, but one needn’t do so for the same reason one needn’t engage other prohibitionists directly. Though the temptation to argue with people who hate us and wish our whole way of life destroyed is strong, it is invariably counterproductive; one cannot reason any person out of a position she did not reason herself into, so the only thing accomplished by debating these people is to bestow undeserved credibility on them in the eyes of observers. When a scientist debates a flat-earther or creationist or some other crackpot, non-scientists in the audience believe that means those viewpoints are worthy of such debate, when in reality they are just silly beliefs for silly people who lack the power of critical thought. And when sex workers “debate” prohibitionists, it looks to outsiders as though the prohibitionists have fair arguments supported by facts even though they do not. The best approach is therefore to address the public rather than the prohibitionists; we can share studies, statistics, etc or even refute spurious claims in our own time, inviting our listeners or readers to do their own research and read studies by widely-respected groups like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. In cases where weaponized ex-workers try to attack directly, one may wish to have a prepared statement to the effect of, “The world is not a perfect place, and bad people will take advantage of others; I’m sorry you were abused in that way, but that does not make your experience typical and does not excuse state violence against sex workers.” Then stick to it; if such an individual persists in attacking, you might add something addressed to observers like, “It’s sad the prohibitionists are exploiting this person to attack sex workers; I can’t stop them from doing so, but I can refuse to participate.” Then block or mute the person who refuses to respect your polite refusal to engage with them; you have no duty to continue interacting with anyone who does not respect your “no”.
