78. Surviving the Sex Trade: Andrea Heinz on Healing, Hope, and the Fight Against Exploitation

Survivor-turned-advocate Andrea Heinz joins me to discuss her work in the Edmonton Sex Trade Offender Program, where she helps rehabilitate men who have purchased sex, and her reasons for supporting the Nordic model, which criminalizes the buying but not the selling of sex. 

Andrea opens up about her own journey in the sex industry, highlighting the combination of poverty and brainwashing that led her into it. She shares the challenges she faced, including the dissociation required to maintain the illusion for customers and the toll it took on her sense of self. Andrea emphasizes the importance of rehabilitation for men and the need to educate them about the harm they cause through their actions.

The conversation delves into the legal status of prostitution in Canada, with Andrea explaining the changes that have occurred over the years, as well as the obstacles to law enforcement.

Andrea shares her personal insights on the impact of the sex industry on both women and men. She discusses the distorted thinking and delusion that can occur for both parties, as well as the trauma and self-doubt that can linger long after leaving the industry. Andrea also highlights the importance of somatic therapy in recovering from traumatic dissociation.

Andrea Heinz is a Socialist Feminist from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada who writes and speaks about commercialized sex. After spending 7 years in licensed and regulated brothels from 2006-2013, she is now a sex trade abolitionist and Equality Model proponent. Andrea shares her journey and insights with students, professionals and the general public. She is happily married with three young children. 

Email: 2020heinzsight@gmail.com

X: @heinzsight2020

Articles mentioned:

• "On Exiting from Commercial Sexual Exploitation, Insights from Sex Trade Experienced Persons" by Andrea Heinz
• "A Mule for the Patriarchy, Waking Up to the Harms of Prostitution on Wives and Families" by Andrea Heinz

Previous episodes mentioned:

• Episode 71: Sex Work or Slavery? Myths vs. Facts of Modern Prostitution with Michelle Kelly

Resources mentioned:

• The Centre to End All Sexual Exploitation
• The Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act
• The Canadian Alliance for Sex Work Law Reform

00:00 Start

[00:00:15] The typical sex buyer.

[00:04:21] Men's misconceptions about sex work.

[00:07:30] Sex trade offender program.

[00:13:08] Harms of the prostitution system.

[00:18:20] Younger men's violent behavior.

[00:19:18] Drug habits and dating struggles.

[00:25:49] The Nordic model style law.

[00:28:40] Challenging Sex Work Laws.

[00:32:12] The harm of prostitution.

[00:35:06] Trauma and self-damaging experiences.

[00:39:09] Identity and self-esteem after trauma.

[00:42:37] Insights on therapy for sex workers.

[00:46:03] Somatic therapy and emotional healing.

[00:50:07] Morality and the law.

[00:54:29] Therapy in the sex industry.

[00:57:22] Challenging patient expectations.

[01:02:26] Interventions in the commercial sex industry.

[01:05:42] Toxicity of the commercial sex industry.

[01:10:31] Women's journey in the sex industry.

[01:12:10] Entry phase and judgment dynamics.

[01:16:28] FRIES acronym and sexual consent.

[01:19:10] Prostitution as bribery.

[01:22:38] Sitting in difficult emotions.

[01:27:14] Media Content and Social Change.

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.

Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD.