Paid For: My Journey Through Prostitution

Description

Born into a troubled family, Moran left home at the age of fourteen, and was driven into prostitution to survive. With intelligence and empathy, she describes the exploitation she and others endured on the streets and in the brothels. Moran also speaks to the psychological damage inherent to prostitution and the inevitable estrangement from one's body. At twenty-two, Moran escaped the sex trade, and now explores its lingering influence on a woman's psyche and life.;The first question -- Childhood social exclusion -- My mother's illness -- A web of dysfunction -- Homelessness -- The first day -- Submerging in prostitution -- Layers of negativity -- The interplay of depravity -- The myth of the high-class hooker -- Prostitution's shame, violation and abuse -- The violence inherent to prostitution -- Survival strategies -- Dissociation and the separation of self -- The myth of the happy hooker -- The myth of prostitutes' sexual pleasure -- The myth of prostitutes' control -- The losses of prostitution -- Misconceptions about prostitution -- Legalisation and decriminalisation -- The normalisation of prostitution -- Integrating myself into society -- Depression and suicide -- The damage to relationships and sexuality -- Aftershocks -- The last question.