Sex in Strange Places

Though the subject of sex is largely taboo here, surprisingly, on paper Turkey is the most liberal of the countries Stacey visits in this three part investigative series. Prostitution is legal and there are even state-run brothels. Stacey meets sex workers who regard themselves as tutors to the uninitiated men of a sexually repressed society, preparing them for marriage. But even here Stacey discovers an overwhelming sense of terror pervades as she meets women who fear for their lives just for being seen talking to her. In a world where state registered prostitutes have ‘sex worker’ marked on their ID cards and will never be allowed to join the army, police or civil service, Stacey meets a brothel Madame and discovers that for many girls there’s no way out.

Around a million transgender people live in Brazil, but as many of them face deep-seated prejudice they struggle to find a job and resort to making a living selling sex. Those who Stacey meets talk openly to her about the discrimination and dangers they face. Setting out at night just with the intention to make enough money to sustain them, but with the very real fear they may not make it home. Life is no less of a challenge for the other women who work in the Brazilian sex industry. Stacey discovers just what they face on a regular basis when she meets some, hearing how the industry is run by an armed militia and the girls may have sex with up to thirty men a night.

In the third episode of this series, Stacey travels to Russia to brave the cold and icy streets of St Petersburg. A city filled with golden palaces and luxury lifestyles, Stacey explores the two very different sides of sex work in the city and asks the question: what does modern day sex look like in Russia? Since the decline of the Russian currency, sex work has risen exponentially, with the estimated number of sex workers in Russia estimated to be 3 million. Stacey meets 24-year-old Avlora, one of the many VIP Sex Workers in St Petersburg. Born in the same year as the fall of communism, Avlora’s new profession means that she’s flown to different continents for luxury holidays, private jets and designer brands. All while charging the equivalent of $700 a night, nearly twice what the average Russian will earn in a month.