Key research themes
1. How does criminalization or legalization of prostitution affect demand and the welfare of sex workers?
This theme investigates the impact of different legal frameworks—criminalization of clients, decriminalization, or legalization—on demand for paid sex, client behavior, sex workers' health and safety, and the overall dynamics of the sex industry. It matters because policy approaches aim either to reduce demand or improve working conditions, but the empirical effectiveness and consequences remain contested and under-researched.
2. What are the psychosocial and behavioral characteristics of men who demand paid sexual services?
This research focus seeks to identify demographic profiles, motivations, sexual attitudes, and behavioral correlates of men who buy sex. Insights here inform demand reduction strategies and highlight links between demand for prostitution and broader patterns of sexual aggression or entitlement.
3. How do perceptions and terminology affect public attitudes towards the demand for prostitution and sex work?
This line of inquiry examines how differences in conceptual framing and language—for example, using ‘prostitution’ versus ‘sex work’ or ‘transactional sex’—influence public acceptance and policymaking about demand for paid sex. Understanding these perceptual variations is crucial for shaping discourse and effective interventions.
























