If you live in St. John’s, the first thing that likely comes to mind when you hear the phrase “sex work” is Long’s Hill, colloquially named “Hooker Hill.” However, sex work is much more than one street downtown with a problematic namesake.
This past semester, eight Memorial undergraduate students – Jamela Batino, Taylor Butler, Julia Fitzpatrick, Nicholas Malcomson, Kayla Matterface, Mars Nurse, Reeghan O’Brien and Benjamin Whiffen – authored an anthropology research paper titled “The Public Perceptions of Sex Work: On Screen and ‘In The Streets’ Duality,” endeavoring to find the dominant public perception of sex work in Newfoundland.
For their final research project, the students were asked to choose a locally relevant issue and analyze it using anthropological concepts learned throughout the course. Batino, who pitched the topic, was inspired by an episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race, where contestants candidly discussed their experiences with the sex work industry. Following Batino’s suggestion, the students were further drawn to this topic in light of increased negative attitudes towards sex work on social media since the emergence of OnlyFans and other forms of digital sex trade.
The students took their research to the local Facebook group “Skeets in Da Streets,” asking one question: “What is sex work like in NL?” Out of 193 responses, only a mere 21 took the question seriously, showing that most people do not see sex work as a serious profession. The students’ work concluded that “on screen biases have a significant impact on how sex work is perceived,” especially within Newfoundland.
While the internet has transformed how we view sex work by enabling new forms of connection, labour, and exchange, it also unlocks new risks for those involved, including security concerns, increased stigma and misunderstanding.
Sex work, or “survival sex,” as an individual from the Facebook comment section described it, is one of the oldest professions in history, yet remains one of the most stigmatized. With the rise of OnlyFans, sex work has become more accessible and normalized within younger generations than ever before. Just as the digitization of sex work has changed its definition, it has also made the profession much more complex and dangerous.
The students stated that due to “the increased use of digital spaces for surveillance, and the increased spread and usage of media (e.g. records of videos and images, generative AI, data collection), it becomes increasingly difficult to determine whether individuals are engaged in sex work or if it is exploitation.”
The students express that the “Skeets in Da Streets” Facebook group’s response to being asked about sex work illustrates dominant public perceptions of the industry as “seedy and dirty,” although individuals who work within the industry are regular, everyday people just like you, “drinking coffee and chilling at THRIVE, or having craft nights.”
In contrast, other comments left under the post explained how dangerous this type of labour can be, offering detailed experiences of living downtown and encountering violent situations where sex workers are faced with exploitation, abuse, STIs or even death.
Approximately 89% of the responses to the question were unrelated and completely dismissed the topic, treating it as a joke rather than helping others gain insight and raise awareness. This paper helped highlight the prevailing stigma around sex work, as well as the negative stereotypes placed upon sex workers in Newfoundland, both off and online.
For those seeking to exit the sex trade in St. John’s, here are some wonderful programs that are equipped to support you:
S.H.O.P: Safe Harbour Outreach Project- Owned and operated by the St. John’s Status of Women Council. Advocacy and support hub for current and former sex workers, located at 170 Cashin Avenue Extension. Call or Text at (709) 771-7171 or the W.O.W line (Warn Other Workers line) at 1-800-726-2743 which is an anonymous 24/7 toll free number for sex workers to report assaults or other safety concerns.
THRIVE: Blue Door Program- One-on-one program designed to support individuals ages 14-29 who have had or are having experiences in the sex trade, including sexual exploitation or sex trafficking. Located at 807 Water st for drop-ins, or call at (709) 754-0536 for information on programs and getting connected with a support coordinator.
End Sexual Violence NL: Operates a 24/7 crisis support line to provide support to those impacted by sexual violence. Call or Text at 1-800-726-2743.
*This article first appeared in The Muse’s Sex, Drugs, and Rock and Roll print edition, published September 2026.