--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It occurs to me that there's been a…" description: "\"It occurs to me that there's been a relatively recent tendency in the media to see prostitutes as victims and johns as exploiters. I don't think most p..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c4/chester-brown-11242_circles_it-occurs-to-me-that-there-s-been-a-rela_2795028.jpg" --- # It occurs to me that there's been a relatively recent… ![“It occurs to me that there's been a relatively recent tendency in the media to see prostitutes as victims and johns as exploiters. I don't think most prostitutes see themselves as victims or see their clients as exploiters, but that way of seeing prostitutes and johns is pretty common now outside…” quote by Chester Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c4/chester-brown-11242_circles_it-occurs-to-me-that-there-s-been-a-rela_2795028.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c4/chester-brown-11242_circles_it-occurs-to-me-that-there-s-been-a-rela_2795028.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c4/chester-brown-11242_circles_it-occurs-to-me-that-there-s-been-a-rela_2795028.jpg) > “It occurs to me that there's been a relatively recent tendency in the media to see prostitutes as victims and johns as exploiters. I don't think most prostitutes see themselves as victims or see their clients as exploiters, but that way of seeing prostitutes and johns is pretty common now outside of sex-work circles, and it's more shameful to be the exploiter than the exploited.” [Chester Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-brown/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The media often frames sex workers as victims and clients as exploiters, contrary to many workers’ self‑perception. **In simple terms:** Media misrepresents sex work dynamics. Key Takeaway Question stereotypes, seek nuanced understanding. Themes media representation sex work stigma power dynamics public perception Mood critical thoughtful Type analytical commentary When to use this quote - policy debates - journalistic reporting - academic research - advocacy campaigns - public education Key Concepts feminist critique social narrative victim‑exploiter framing Questions to Reflect On - How does framing affect policy? - What voices are missing in the narrative? A Different Perspective Simplifies complex relationships, may ignore agency of workers. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Circles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/circles/) [Media](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/media/) [Prostitution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prostitution/) [Sex](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sex/) [Sex work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sex-work/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Victim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/victim/) ## Related quotes > [Most of the time, people are not actually concerned with prostitution and sex work. They're concerned about seeing people who they think are prostitutes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-gira-grant/most-of-the-time-people-are-not-actually-concerned-with-prostitution/) [Melissa Gira Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-gira-grant/) > [I also picked prostitutes as victims because they were easy to pick up, without being noticed. I knew they would not be reported missing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-ridgway/i-also-picked-prostitutes-as-victims-because-they-were-easy-to-pick/) [Gary Ridgway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-ridgway/) > [“A sex worker deserves a billion times more respect, than the mystical fraudsters of the society, such as astrologers, psychics and tarot card readers.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/a-sex-worker-deserves-a-billion-times-more-respect-than-the-mystical/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [“You look at me and judge me. And I just want to ask, for what? I am in full control. No one has a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/panashe-chigumadzi/you-look-at-me-and-judge-me-and-i-just-want-to-ask-for-what-i-am-in/) [Panashe Chigumadzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/panashe-chigumadzi/) > [“In Germany, people will agree in theory that prostitution should be legal, but they usually won't admit that they themselves have ever gone to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-markus-malloy/in-germany-people-will-agree-in-theory-that-prostitution-should-be/) [Oliver Markus Malloy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-markus-malloy/) > [“Prostitution is not exactly a reputable business over there either, even though the girls actually have to pay taxes on their earnings, and submit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-markus-malloy/prostitution-is-not-exactly-a-reputable-business-over-there-either/) [Oliver Markus Malloy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-markus-malloy/) > [“I saw a documentary about prostitution in Holland a few years ago, that said over there health insurance actually pays for monthly visits to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-markus-malloy/i-saw-a-documentary-about-prostitution-in-holland-a-few-years-ago/) [Oliver Markus Malloy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-markus-malloy/) > [“Why do prostitutes when they get straight always try and get so prim? It's like long-repressed librarian-ambitions come flooding out.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-foster-wallace/why-do-prostitutes-when-they-get-straight-always-try-and-get-so-prim/) [David Foster Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-foster-wallace/) > [“Feminists have accepted that choice is possible when it comes to a different, difficult subject: abortion. The feminist position (and I agree with it)…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-brown/feminists-have-accepted-that-choice-is-possible-when-it-comes-to-a/) [Chester Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-brown/) > [“Gay rights aren't predicated on being born gay or having the right gene. Gay rights are predicated on having choice and consent. If you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-brown/gay-rights-aren-t-predicated-on-being-born-gay-or-having-the-right/) [Chester Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-brown/) > [The best blowjobs I've had have been from prostitutes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-brown/the-best-blowjobs-i-ve-had-have-been-from-prostitutes/) [Chester Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-brown/) > [I am for decriminalization. The significant aspect of that is that we don't force prostitutes to have to get a license to work. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-brown/i-am-for-decriminalization-the-significant-aspect-of-that-is-that-we/) [Chester Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-brown/) > [You mustn't force sex to do the work of love or love to do the work of sex.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-mccarthy/you-mustn-t-force-sex-to-do-the-work-of-love-or-love-to-do-the-work/) [Mary McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-mccarthy/) > [“Maybe he'd never come acrross anybody as well versed at objectifying body parts as I was. In my defense, this was an occupational hazard;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-shaw/maybe-he-d-never-come-acrross-anybody-as-well-versed-at-objectifying/) [Aiden Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-shaw/) > [Here's how men think. Sex, work - and those are reversible, depending on age - sex, work, food, sports and lastly, begrudgingly, relationships. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-fisher/here-s-how-men-think-sex-work-and-those-are-reversible-depending-on/) [Carrie Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-fisher/) ## More by Chester Brown > [It is easier to live openly when you're not married. Not to get too much into the whole "romantic love" thing, but if you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-brown/it-is-easier-to-live-openly-when-you-re-not-married-not-to-get-too/) [Chester Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-brown/) > [After my last girlfriend broke up with me, I looked at how our relationship had gone and how my previous relationships had gone, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-brown/after-my-last-girlfriend-broke-up-with-me-i-looked-at-how-our/) [Chester Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-brown/) > [You can't be everything for another person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-brown/you-can-t-be-everything-for-another-person/) [Chester Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-brown/) > [Almost every scene, I re-think as I'm about to start drawing it, and at least half of the time I'm changing dialogue or whatever,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-brown/almost-every-scene-i-re-think-as-i-m-about-to-start-drawing-it-and-at/) [Chester Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-brown/) > [I Never Liked You. I think that's my best book. I think it works the best as a story, and I like the drawing.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-brown/i-never-liked-you-i-think-that-s-my-best-book-i-think-it-works-the/) [Chester Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-brown/) > [People should be allowed the freedom to make their own choices. They should be able to buy or not buy porn and be monogamous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-brown/people-should-be-allowed-the-freedom-to-make-their-own-choices-they/) [Chester Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-brown/) > [One of the significant reasons why women who are trafficked and forced to work as prostitutes often don't want to come forward is because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-brown/one-of-the-significant-reasons-why-women-who-are-trafficked-and/) [Chester Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-brown/) > [The counter-argument would be, so what if my sexual relationships are superficial, one can still have satisfying and rewarding relationships with friends, or parents,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-brown/the-counter-argument-would-be-so-what-if-my-sexual-relationships-are/) [Chester Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-brown/) > [I am for decriminalization. The significant aspect of that is that we don't force prostitutes to have to get a license to work. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-brown/i-am-for-decriminalization-the-significant-aspect-of-that-is-that-we/) [Chester Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-brown/) > [I don't think our system, where we have one romantic partner, where we get married and we're only supposed to have sex with one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-brown/i-don-t-think-our-system-where-we-have-one-romantic-partner-where-we/) [Chester Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-brown/) > [I don't date civilians. I don't even try. I'm totally out of the game of dating or trying to get a girlfriend or anything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-brown/i-don-t-date-civilians-i-don-t-even-try-i-m-totally-out-of-the-game/) [Chester Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-brown/) > [We couldn't be making as much money, if we had to deal with stranger behaviour. And right now, anybody who slows down our economic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-brown/we-couldn-t-be-making-as-much-money-if-we-had-to-deal-with-stranger/) [Chester Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-brown/) > [I don't worry about how accurately I convey my personality. I learned early on that it's almost impossible to accurately portray yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-brown/i-don-t-worry-about-how-accurately-i-convey-my-personality-i-learned/) [Chester Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-brown/) > [I don't think of myself as an evil monster and I hope I'm not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-brown/i-don-t-think-of-myself-as-an-evil-monster-and-i-hope-i-m-not/) [Chester Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-brown/) > [If I do need to make money suddenly, I prefer to just draw something I want to draw and have someone else sell it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-brown/if-i-do-need-to-make-money-suddenly-i-prefer-to-just-draw-something-i/) [Chester Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-brown/) [Explore all 61 Chester Brown quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-brown/) ## More Circles quotes > [In some circles where very heavy people think they have very heavy brains, words like "charming" and "clever" and "pretty" are all put-downs; all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-warhol/in-some-circles-where-very-heavy-people-think-they-have-very-heavy/) [Andy Warhol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-warhol/) > [Alone in a world, With millions of souls Walking in circles Trapped in their dreams unhealthy, unclean walking in circles, now do not disturb…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-bennington/alone-in-a-world-with-millions-of-souls-walking-in-circles-trapped-in/) [Chester Bennington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-bennington/) > [Gambling has held human beings in thrall for millennia. It has been engaged in everywhere, from the dregs of society to the most respectable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-l-bernstein/gambling-has-held-human-beings-in-thrall-for-millennia-it-has-been/) [Peter L. Bernstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-l-bernstein/) > [And the seasons they go 'round and 'round And the painted ponies go up and down We're captive on the carousel of time We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-mitchell/and-the-seasons-they-go-round-and-round-and-the-painted-ponies-go-up/) [Joni Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-mitchell/) > [If, for instance, they have heard something from the postman, they attribute it to a semi-official statement; if they have fallen into conversation with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evelyn-waugh/if-for-instance-they-have-heard-something-from-the-postman-they/) [Evelyn Waugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evelyn-waugh/) > [Maybe this is a way of gaslighting myself, but I think of it this way: In certain circles, my grandpa was considered to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoe-kazan/maybe-this-is-a-way-of-gaslighting-myself-but-i-think-of-it-this-way/) [Zoe Kazan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-kazan/) > [All my life's a circle; But I can't tell you why; Season's spinning round again; The years keep rollin' by.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-chapin/all-my-life-s-a-circle-but-i-can-t-tell-you-why-season-s-spinning/) [Harry Chapin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-chapin/) > [There's when a phrase circles in my head in a number of ways for any number of days, weeks, or months, and then that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-mangan/there-s-when-a-phrase-circles-in-my-head-in-a-number-of-ways-for-any/) [Dan Mangan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-mangan/) > [I have no name for what circles so perfectly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/i-have-no-name-for-what-circles-so-perfectly/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [It's important to recognize that expanding the circle of opportunity and increasing the democratic potential of our own society, as well as those across…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/it-s-important-to-recognize-that-expanding-the-circle-of-opportunity/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [The fight against syphilis demands a fight against prostitution, against prejudices, old habits, against previous conceptions, general views among them not least the false…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-hitler/the-fight-against-syphilis-demands-a-fight-against-prostitution/) [Adolf Hitler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-hitler/) > [Tell them you came, and saw, and looked into my eyes and saw the shadow of the guard receding. 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