Lived Experiences of a Prostituted Women Engaging in Online Services: A Phenomenological Study

Online prostitution is an evolving phenomenon shaped by digital technologies, economic hardship, and shifting social dynamics. As the sex trade increasingly moves to virtual platforms, women involved in online prostitution face complex realities that intertwine survival, stigma, and resilience. This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of five prostituted women engaged in online sex work in Northern Mindanao, Philippines. The participants were selected through snowball sampling. Data were collected through online using semi-structured Interview guide and analyzed using Moustakas’ transcendental phenomenology. Three themes emerged: Economic Vulnerability and financial desperation, Coping through emotional detachment and justification and Aspiration for liberation and reclaiming Identity. The study recommends the development of multi-sectoral, non-judgmental support systems to be implemented through the collaborative efforts of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Local Government Units (LGUs), in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH) and Rural Health Units for trauma-informed care and mental health services. It also highlights the role of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Anti-Cybercrime Group in strengthening online protection mechanisms, while encouraging future researchers to further explore the long-term reintegration and well-being of women involved in online prostitution.