What is the leading cause of death in the commercial sex industry?

• A. Homicide
• B. Overdose
• C. Suicide
• D. Infections

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is that violence against sex workers leads to a disproportionately high number of fatalities, making homicide the most common cause of death in this population. Sex workers often operate in high-risk, underground environments where they may face dangerous clients, traffickers, or others who might harm them. The criminalized and stigmatized nature of the work can hinder access to protection, reporting, and support, which can contribute to a higher likelihood that violent encounters end fatally. While overdoses, infections, and suicide do occur, they generally do not produce as many deaths as homicidal violence in many contexts studied, so homicide stands out as the leading cause in this setting.