Sex workers bare all about personal lives outside the industry: stigma, money and more

Behind the curtain of the stigmatised profession of sex work is a vibrant and surprisingly normal world. Meet the people behind the work.

Two women who work in the adult entertainment industry in Melbourne have opened up about their lifestyles and what life looks like behind the scenes.

They’re working in the world’s oldest occupation, but what we know about sex workers and their lives often flies under the radar.

Behind the facade of fake names, red light districts, salacious stories and stigma, what is the life of a sex worker really like?

One independent high-end escort from Melbourne said despite the “unavoidable judgement”, she took pride in her work.

Hope Morgan began working as a dancer when she was 18, before taking a break to study, work in the social work sector and focus on a new romantic relationship.

When her relationship broke down, Ms Morgan decided to return to dancing on the weekends, finding the industry completely transformed.

“I was curious about other opportunities and I connected with a high-end companion from Sydney who was mentoring young women,” she said.

“Nervously, I met her one night at the Grand Hyatt, and that started my journey as Hope Morgan.”

Specifically described as a “classy companion”, Ms Morgan said she had met some “remarkable people” on her journey who had left lasting impressions on her life.

“These encounters have enriched my life in ways I couldn’t have ever imagined when I first embarked on this path,” she said.

“It’s not just a one-time encounter, I’ve had the opportunity to connect with people whom I might not have crossed paths with in other circumstances and these connections have been incredibly meaningful and fulfilling.”

Ms Morgan noted one positive aspect was the freedom her profession allowed her.

“The ability to schedule and tailor my work to fit my lifestyle has been empowering,” she said.

“The freedom, autonomy and flexibility have fuelled my passion for my work and has allowed me to fully embrace and find joy in what I do. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

Despite the positive aspects of her work, Ms Morgan said she still noticed the impact that stigma around the sex industry had on people’s behaviour towards her.

“There are moments when I feel compelled to fabricate details about my occupation due to concerns about facing judgement, gossip, scrutiny and criticism,” she said.

“It can be disheartening to resort to this behaviour but it is an unavoidable aspect of the industry.”

Unlike people in 9-5 office jobs, Ms Morgan structures her workday around her hobbies.

“Regardless of my booking schedule, I prioritise my physical and mental health,” she said.

“Going to the gym, walking or jogging, catching up with friends and family, I allow myself time to connect with myself and my spiritual health.”

Ms Morgan includes her admin tasks into her daily routine prior to bookings, such as booking texts, emails and posting new entries onto her blog.

“I do all that before I commence my routine of getting ready to attend bookings, which often consists of a lunch or dinner date as well as private bookings,” she said.

Ms Morgan said she considered leaving the industry last year during a “health challenge”, a possibility that deeply saddened her at the time.

“I am blessed to have emerged from that difficult time, and immensely grateful to be able to carry on with my career,” she said.

“I don’t anticipate an end in sight, I have cultivated a strong personal brand and am among Australia’s most recognisable, distinguished and highly sought-after companions.”

Ms Morgan runs a blog and has expanded her written work with a book entailing more details of her life, which is set to be released later in the year.

“I’m looking forward to sharing my story and the unexpected challenges I’ve faced,” she said.

Hope Morgan charges up to $850 for specific services, as listed on her website. Picture: Matthew Sullivan.

Escorts aren’t the only people in the Victorian sex industry with secret names and lives outside of their workplace.

Adult entertainers, including topless waitresses and dancers, often moonlight in the industry while working “normal” full time jobs.

Rachel, the owner and director of BarBabes, the biggest adult entertainment company in Melbourne, said the savviness of some of her girls would surprise people.

“Some girls have multiple houses paid off or they invest in longer term businesses,” she said.

“A lot of people just assume that the girls are dumb, or without educations. It’s totally the opposite – many of them are totally switched on.”

Rachel got into the adult entertainment industry almost two decades ago, when she helped out a friend while she was on maternity leave.

“After nine months she didn’t need me anymore, so I went and created my own business,” she said.

Rachel, owner of BarBabes, said many of her employees had lives and professional jobs completely separated from the adult entertainment industry.

“I used to work for plastic surgeon and a lot of the clients were strippers, I guess I just knew it would be a great idea.”

Rachel said despite the long weekend hours, the adult entertainment industry allowed her to earn a decent living while also being a single mum.

“You can pick your own hours and work whenever you want,” she said.

“The downfall is you need to be on call, and you don’t really have weekends.”

Rachel said her busiest time of year spanned from August through to Easter, where girls could make thousands of dollars in just two days.

“Christmas parties are huge for us, we have so many returning clients,” she said.

“Girls can make anywhere between $5000 and $6000 if they work on Friday and Saturday nights and they aren’t doing anything sexual at all. There is a lot of money to be made.”

Rachel said many of the women working for her also held down full time work throughout the week.

“With today’s day and age, everything is expensive,” she said.

“If the girls can work and live a pretty flash lifestyle, why wouldn’t they?”

Despite progress in policy and education, sex workers still face significant stigma. Image: Adam Smith

The Victorian government decriminalised sex work in 2022, which recognised the profession as “legitimate work”, enabling it to be “better regulated through standard business laws, like all other industries in the state”.

The legal framework rolled out the new policy in two stages, the first came into effect in May 2022, where “street-based sex work in most locations” was decriminalised among other reforms.

The second stage was rolled out on December 1 last year, where child abuse and coercion laws were strengthened to protect young and vulnerable people in the industry, as well as the strengthening of liquor controls for sex work industry, the removal of sex work industry controls over brothel and escort agency provisions in the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008.

These changes occurred after a state led review headed by MP Fiona Patten, which investigated and made recommendations to the Minister for Consumer Affairs Victoria on the decriminalisation of sex work.

But for people like Hope and Rebecca, the decriminalisation has only legitimised a business they’ve considered worthwhile for a long time.