Tort Law and Sex Worker Rights: Legal Protections and Risks

When we talk about tort law, a branch of civil law that deals with wrongs causing harm, allowing victims to seek compensation. Also known as civil liability, it covers everything from assault and defamation to negligence and housing discrimination. For sex workers, tort law isn’t just about courtrooms—it’s about whether you can hold someone accountable when your safety is ignored, your home is threatened, or your digital privacy is shattered.

Tort law doesn’t require a crime to be committed. You don’t need a police report or a conviction. If a landlord kicks you out because they suspect you’re a sex worker, that’s housing discrimination—and under tort law, you may have a claim for wrongful eviction. If a client threatens you, records you without consent, or leaves you in danger, that’s not just bad behavior—it’s a civil wrong. personal injury law, a subset of tort law focused on physical or emotional harm applies when violence occurs. legal accountability, the principle that individuals or institutions must answer for their harmful actions is your tool when the system fails you. Many sex workers never realize they can sue for emotional distress after a traumatic encounter, or for invasion of privacy when photos are leaked. These aren’t theoretical rights—they’ve been upheld in court cases across the UK and beyond.

But here’s the catch: tort law only works if you know how to use it. Most sex workers don’t have lawyers. Most don’t know how to document a claim. And most are afraid to even try, fearing more attention from authorities. Yet, the same systems that criminalize you can also protect you—if you understand the boundaries. Tort law gives you power to demand compensation from negligent landlords, predatory clients, or companies that leak your data. It doesn’t fix everything, but it can stop a pattern of abuse before it escalates. This collection of posts dives into exactly how tort law connects to your daily reality: from digital evidence that holds up in court, to how housing discrimination is treated as a civil wrong, to why documenting incidents isn’t just for safety—it’s for legal recourse.

What follows isn’t theory. It’s real strategies from people who’ve used the law to fight back—without waiting for permission, without relying on police, and without giving up their dignity. You’ll find guides on how to build a case, what evidence matters, and how to protect yourself before the next violation happens. This isn’t about hoping for justice. It’s about knowing your rights—and using them.