How people move from deviant to conventional lifestyles is an issue that has attracted considerable interest over the past few years. However, much of this work has focused on men desisting from crime. This book provides one of the first examinations of desistance which is centred on women and, more specifically, how they exit prostitution.

"Prostitution is an emotive subject and for too long warring ideologies have impeded necessary social scientific evidence gathering on the topic. This study transcends such debates, treating sex workers neither as offenders to be punished nor as helpless victims to be rescued. The result is a fascinating, important analysis of how women involved in prostitution are able to take control over their own lives." - Shadd Maruna, Dean, School of Criminal Justice, Rutgers University Newark, USA