I served in Iraq and Afghanistan but the horrors of war turned me into an £120 an hour sex worker 0 195

A WAR hero traumatised by the horrors of combat is now working as a £120-an-hour escort.

Grace Parker, 35, served in Iraq and Afghanistan but was medically discharged in 2019 having suffered PTSD and depression.

Grace Parker served in Iraq and Afghanistan but is now a sex worker Grace said: ‘I don’t blame anybody. It’s my own poor choices. But I was bitter towards the Army when I was discharged’

She ended up being sectioned, spent time homeless and now works as a “bi-curious” escort selling sex from her bedsit.

And Grace insists that not enough is being done to help war veterans who fall on hard times due to PTSD and other mental health problems.

She said: “I don’t blame anybody. It’s my own poor choices. But I was bitter towards the Army when I was discharged.

“I felt I was just a number, and all the good I did was forgotten. There are not many women in the Royal Engineers and I’d achieved so much, but it felt like nothing.

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“I nodded along to my discharge because I was on medication. I was depressed.

“I was off sick for a year so there should be something better in place for soldiers during that time, which would perhaps have stopped me being sectioned.”

Grace, of Sheffield, spent 14 years in the Army after being voted best recruit.

She also got a commendation for outstanding work with the Royal Engineers on Operation Shader in Iraq.

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She told The Sun: “My mum was in the RAF, and dad and three brothers in the Army, so it’s no surprise I ended up with a military career.

“I got in trouble and was nearly sent to prison as a teen.”

Trying to get her life back on track, Grace joined up aged 19.

The divorcee said: “I didn’t look back and joined the Royal Engineers as a sapper.”

Grace was named best recruit at Pirbright, Surrey, then spent five years as a signaller in Germany and was promoted to lance-corporal.

In 2009, she spent six months in Afghanistan as a combat engineer, with the camp being attacked regularly by jihadists.

There was then another spell in Germany followed by tours of the Falklands and Canada.

Grace said: “Life was great. I was then posted to Warminster in Wiltshire and was promoted to corporal — a section commander. I was running military exercises on Salisbury Plain.”

In 2015, she joined 22 Engineer regiment. In Iraq, Grace got a joint commander’s commendation for outstanding service.

She went on: “Back home, I was promoted to sergeant but things soon went downhill.”

Grace got stressed and was signed off sick, starting therapy.

Amid nightmares about what she saw in Afghanistan and Iraq, she was diagnosed with PTSD and bipolar.

She added: “The Army did its best but it wasn’t great. I was sent home. I was sectioned in 2019. I was given a full honourable medical discharge.”

Her marriage to a serviceman fell apart and Grace spent time in The Priory.

She got a job in a hotel and studied nursing.

But during Covid, a move to her mum’s in Bristol did not work out and she ended up in a Sheffield hostel.

Grace finally got a council bedsit in February.

She said: “I was struggling and didn’t know what to do.

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“I needed money and escorting was the answer. I was on a dating site when a man asked if I was interested in selling services. I said yes.

“I do it to get by. But I’m trying to look to the future now. I’d like to go to university. I’m saving to go travelling.”

Grace, pictured at the top, serving with the Army Grace said: ‘The Army did its best but it wasn’t great’ Grace added: ‘I was sent home. I was sectioned in 2019. I was given a full honourable medical discharge’ After serving Grace spent time homeless and now works as a ‘bi-curious’ escort selling sex from her bedsit

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Porn and Mental Health: The Challenges and Strategies for Coping in the Industry 0 177

Pornography is a billion-dollar industry that has gained widespread popularity across the globe. However, while it may be a source of entertainment for some, the industry can be challenging for performers’ mental health. The pressure to perform and meet the expectations of producers and viewers can take a toll on performers’ mental wellbeing. In this article, we’ll explore the challenges that the porn industry poses to mental health and strategies for coping with them.

The Challenges

  1. Stigma and Shame

The porn industry is still stigmatized, and performers can face a lot of shame and judgment from society. This can lead to a lot of stress and anxiety, making it difficult for performers to seek help and support when needed.

  1. Pressure to Perform

Performers in the porn industry are expected to meet certain expectations and perform at their best every time. This pressure can be overwhelming and can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.

  1. Isolation and Loneliness

Performing in the porn industry can be a lonely experience, with performers spending long hours on set or on their own, away from friends and family. This can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness, which can take a toll on mental health.

  1. Trauma and Abuse

The porn industry is not immune to issues such as sexual harassment, assault, and exploitation. Performers may experience these traumatic events, leading to conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression.

Strategies for Coping

Seek Professional Help

Performers in the porn industry should seek professional help and support when they need it. There are many therapists and counselors who specialize in working with performers in the industry and can help with issues such as anxiety, depression, and trauma.

Practice Self-Care

Self-care is crucial for performers in the porn industry. Taking breaks when needed, exercising, and practicing mindfulness and meditation can help performers manage stress and promote mental wellbeing.

Surround Yourself with Supportive People

Having a supportive network of friends, family, and colleagues can make a big difference in performers’ mental health. Surrounding yourself with people who understand the challenges of the industry and offer non-judgmental support can help performers cope with the stresses of the job.

Address Trauma and Abuse

Performers who have experienced trauma and abuse in the industry should seek support and address these issues head-on. This may involve therapy, reporting incidents to the authorities, and taking legal action if necessary.

Conclusion

The porn industry poses significant challenges to performers’ mental health, from stigma and shame to pressure to perform and trauma and abuse. However, with the right strategies, performers can cope with these challenges and maintain good mental wellbeing. Seeking professional help, practicing self-care, surrounding yourself with supportive people, and addressing trauma and abuse are just a few strategies that can help performers in the porn industry maintain good mental health.

Navigating Consent and Boundaries in the Porn Industry: A Guide for Newcomers 0 165

Consent and boundaries are crucial aspects of the porn industry, and it’s essential for newcomers to understand how to navigate these issues. In this article, we’ll provide a guide for those who are new to the industry on how to approach consent and boundaries in a professional and respectful manner.

First and foremost, it’s important to understand that consent is always required in the porn industry. This means that every actor must give explicit and enthusiastic consent to any sexual act that is portrayed on camera. Consent can be given verbally or non-verbally, but it must always be clear and enthusiastic.

In order to ensure that consent is obtained, communication is key. Actors should have open and honest conversations with their scene partners and the director prior to filming. They should discuss what they are comfortable with and what their boundaries are, as well as any specific instructions or concerns.

It’s also important for actors to feel empowered to set their own boundaries and to speak up if they feel uncomfortable or unsafe during filming. This means that if an actor does not want to perform a particular act or if they feel that their boundaries are being pushed, they have the right to stop the scene and speak to the director about their concerns.

It’s also essential for actors to be aware of their own physical and emotional limits. This means that they should take breaks as needed, communicate with their scene partner and director about any discomfort or pain, and engage in self-care practices to ensure that they are physically and emotionally prepared for the demands of the job.

Finally, it’s important for actors to have a support system in place. This can include talking to other actors who have experience in the industry, seeking out counseling or therapy, and having trusted friends and family members who can provide emotional support.

Navigating consent and boundaries in the porn industry can be challenging, but it’s an essential part of maintaining a safe and respectful work environment. By following these guidelines, newcomers to the industry can ensure that they are approaching these issues in a professional and responsible manner.

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