There are porn stars who live comfortably yet remain in the business. There are even wives who like to be pimped out by their husbands because it's kinky to the

There are porn stars who live comfortably yet remain in the business. There are even wives who like to be pimped out by their husbands because it's kinky to them; that's technically still prostitution. I don't think the 'happy hooker' is just a theoretical thing. I think it exists, and it happens all the time. The fact that there is prostitution doesn't imply there is a power imbalance. Maybe if prostitution wasn't so stigmatized, it would be even more common. Having said that, in this context there is obviously a power imbalance. Somebody says they're scared to leave because of the threat of violence. I'm sure this also happens in way too many cases around the world. I share your view that possibly a significant chunk of this misery can be done away with by getting rid of poverty. However, let's not forget the contribution to said misery by the mere psychopathy that drives people like Epstein.