This publication analyzes university students’ views and perceptions of sex work in Costa Rica, in contrast to mainstream media portrayals that often frame it as criminal or immoral. It highlights how media coverage - typically produced by male journalists without consulting sex workers - shapes public opinion, while students tend to hold more nuanced views. The findings suggest that students understand sex work as a complex reality involving both necessity and choice, with both sex workers and clients often managing family responsibilities. These perceptions align with academic research and point to learning sources that students access to going beyond traditional media. This resource can support anti-trafficking practitioners in addressing stereotypes and developing evidence-based awareness raising initiatives that reflect the lived experiences of sex workers in Costa Rica.
Year of Publication: 2015
Author(s): Elizabeth Izaguirre and Julián Monge-Nájera
