LONDON, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- Some migrant workers in London say they work in the sex industry to avoid employment in menial and low-paying jobs, researchers say.
Study leader Dr. Nick Mai of London Metropolitan University said the study was based on in-depth interviews with 100 women, men and transgender migrants working in the London sex industry.
The study found most migrants working in the London sex industry said they were not forced to sell sex -- they said they decided to work in the sex industry to achieve a good standard of living for themselves and their families back home, Mai said.
"The perception that the commercial sex industry is connected to international organized crime and irregular immigration has raised moral panic about trafficking in Britain. Neither the moral panic, nor legislation brought in to counter trafficking, reflects existing research evidence," Mai said in a statement. "To avoid knee-jerk reactions and to obtain a better understanding of the issues, it's essential that the findings of recent and relevant research are made known to the government and the public at large."
The findings are scheduled to be presented at "In whose name? Migration, Sex Work and Trafficking," part of the Economic and Social Research Council's Festival of Social Science.
