Surviving & thriving after leaving the sex industry w/ Genevieve Gilbert Reasons To Live

When Genevieve Gilbert came to Australia to study, she pictured a life of education, and exciting opportunities... Instead, she found herself buried in student debt, and barely able to afford food, let alone her mounting bills.

With the rising pressure of finding a job, Genevieve entered the sex industry in a bid to survive. Her plan was to stay a few weeks, pay her bills, and then leave. 8 years later, she was still there, and barely clinging on to her mental health and will to live.

In part one of this insightful chat, Genevieve shares about her childhood in Quebec, what lead her to Australia, why so many people (particularly women) end up in the sex industry due to poverty, issues with receiving adequate support to exit, and her thoughts on the media's constant message of sex work as an 'empowering and safe choice.'

Note: Whilst not every person within the sex industry will face abuse or mental health issues, research over the past several decades has shown clearly that the majority of those within prostitution want immediate assistance with exiting. I believe Genevieve's voice deserves to be heard.

If you enjoy this chat, make sure you stay tuned for Part 2, where Gen shares how she eventually left the industry, and how she not only survived, but thrived - founding Pink Cross Foundation Australia, to help other women and men who are seeking support to exit the industry.

You can find out more about Pink Cross Australia at www.pinkcross.org.au