When a client approaches a prostitute, he is rarely
interested in
buying school supplies for her children, and she is
just as unlikely to
be interested in the sex. Yet these material
exchanges are the
foundation of the sex economy. Indeed, if there is
one unifying
factor in the experiences of sex workers, it is fast
money. The sex
sector offers more money in fewer hours than
virtually any other
type of employment.

Fast money comes at a high price, however. Sex
workers face daily
risks to their health, safety and emotional
well-being. How well they
manage these risks has enormous...