Sprostytuowane, zranione, wrobione: konstruowanie reprezentacji pracownic seksualnych w dyskursie abolicyjnym
Prostituted, Injured, Framed: Representations of Female Sex Workers in Abolitionist Feminism

Summary/Abstract: In this article, we attempt to critically reconstruct representations of female sex workers developed by abolitionist feminists. We draw on the theoretical notion of recognition, as proposed by Nancy Fraser, to show that frames of discourse about sex work articulated by abolitionists, which in principle aim at destigmatising sex workers and improving their situation, are in fact discriminatory and potentially harmful for those working in the sex industry. While analysing both classical text of abolitionist feminists, as well as writings provided by contemporary, European abolitionist organisations and networks, we distinguish and discuss in detail two main representations of sex workers constructed in the abolitionist discourse: the figure of “prostituted woman” and the figure of “injured subject”. Finally, we use Judith Butler’s critical considerations around the category of “framing” and “being framed” to show in what ways, and with what consequences, abolitionist framings of sex work deny female sex workers recognition and inclusion into the public sphere.

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