Anonymity a drawcard for Pilbara sex workers

Sex workers prefer coming to regional centres, like Hedland, to enjoy the anonymity of a small town as opposed to an increased wage, according to the owner of a local brothel.

Jems owner Jo Woodward said most of her girls came from metropolitan areas and from the Eastern States.

"A lot of the girls that I get come out here tend to do it for the anonymity rather than money," she said.

"They like to be able to go to a small town, far away, where they don't know anyone… because if you're working close to home there's always the risk you'll run into someone you know and that's really your worst nightmare."

Ms Woodward claimed she had a number of different girls through all the time, including some from overseas, and said there were a few who enjoyed coming back.

"Generally, they like coming out here to work, but because our girls live on site it means that they don't often get to leave their workplace and that can get too much for some," she said.

Australian sex worker association Scarlet Alliance treasurer Rebecca Davies echoed Ms Woodward's view, arguing pay was not the most important factor in bringing working girls to regional WA.

"A lot of people figure that, but most of the people I know who tour around don't change their prices," she said.

"You do pay a bit more in regional areas because there are less people, less other workers, so therefore less competition.

"But really it doesn't matter how much you're charging, it's about whether you're getting the clients through the door… you can charge $900 per night, but if no one's coming through then it doesn't really matter, does it?"

Ms Davies said sex workers often faced other challenges in regional areas, including discrimination from hoteliers and police.

"Street-based sex work is completely illegal in this State but they make up about 2 per cent of the workforce," she said.

"Because they're so visible they always cop a lot of flack from the police.

"But I often hear of people getting discriminated against by hoteliers as well.

"That can be a real problem for people working in regional areas if they pay all the money to get out there and then get kicked out of the motel they're working from."