Abstract:
This thesis examines prostitution and sex work in Indonesia by drawing from
seven weeks of ethnographic research with female sex workers in brothels from three
major cities in Indonesia. The experiences of the female sex workers are analyzed within
the context of public discourse on prostitution. Utilizing feminist theories of harm, and
discourse analysis of sexuality, I argue that public discourse is polarized and has
conflicting positions on prostitution as both a form of social harm and as a profession in
need of harm prevention. Located within this narrative are the contrasting lived
experiences of women who do not conform to either binary of prostitute as victim or
professional. By including their stories, I hope to expand the understanding of the
complexities of sources of harm and the unexplored opportunities for harm mitigation.
This research examines female sex workers’ views on sex work advocacy, brothels as
safe spaces of work, and the role of the family as perpetrators of harm.
