Stigma and Policy Preferences in Taboo Markets: Sex Work Decriminalization

Last registered on February 24, 2026
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Pre-Trial

Trial Information

General Information

Title
Stigma and Policy Preferences in Taboo Markets: Sex Work Decriminalization
RCT ID
AEARCTR-0017898
Initial registration date
February 16, 2026

Initial registration date is when the trial was registered.

It corresponds to when the registration was submitted to the Registry to be reviewed for publication.

First published
February 24, 2026, 6:12 AM EST

First published corresponds to when the trial was first made public on the Registry after being reviewed.

Locations

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Primary Investigator

Name
Federica Braccioli
Affiliation
WU Vienna University of Economics and Business
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Other Primary Investigator(s)

PI Name
Sannah Tijani
PI Affiliation
WU Vienna University of Economics and Business
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Additional Trial Information

Status
In development
Start date
2026-02-17
End date
2026-04-30
Keywords
Behavior
Additional Keywords
JEL code(s)
Secondary IDs
Prior work
This trial does not extend or rely on any prior RCTs.
Abstract
In this study we investigate the role of stigma for policy preferences in taboo markets. We conduct a large-scale, nationally representative survey experiment in the United States that separately measures taboo and stigma and experimentally varies exposure to welfare-relevant information and stigma-reducing narratives. Our design allows us to test whether information alone can overcome resistance to reform or whether stigma toward sex workers constitutes a distinct and binding constraint.
External Link(s)

Registration Citation

Citation
Braccioli, Federica and Sannah Tijani. 2026. "Stigma and Policy Preferences in Taboo Markets: Sex Work Decriminalization." AEA RCT Registry. February 24. https://doi.org/10.1257/rct.17898-1.0
Sponsors & Partners
Experimental Details

Interventions

Intervention(s)
Online survey experiment with 6 treatment conditions.
Intervention Start Date
2026-02-17
Intervention End Date
2026-04-30

Primary Outcomes

Primary Outcomes (end points)
Stigma towards sex workers and policy preferences about sex work
Primary Outcomes (explanation)
See analysis plan

Secondary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes (end points)
Secondary Outcomes (explanation)

Experimental Design

Experimental Design
We randomize information and narrative about sex work using 6 different conditions, one pure control group and five different treatment within a Qualtrics survey. Individuals are recruited via Prolific and assigned to one of the conditions by the Qualtrics randomizer.
No clusters, randomized at individual level.
Sample size 6000 units, 1000 units per treatment arm.
Experimental Design Details
Not available
Randomization Method
Randomization done by a computer using Qualtrics randomizer.
Randomization Unit
Individual
Was the treatment clustered?
No

Experiment Characteristics

Sample size: planned number of clusters
None
Sample size: planned number of observations
Main study: 6000 individuals. Follow-up study: the follow-up study assumes a re-contact response rate of 70% (2100 individuals for the three main treatment conditions)
Sample size (or number of clusters) by treatment arms
Main study: 1000 per arm
Follow up: 700 per arm
Minimum detectable effect size for main outcomes (accounting for sample design and clustering)
Main study: We detect a minimum effect MDE=0.12 standard deviations over pairwise experimental condition comparisons of standardised outcomes, at power p=0.8 and alpha=0.05. Follow-up: We detect an MDE=0.15 standard deviations over pairwise experimental condition comparisons of standardised outcomes, at power p=0.8 and alpha=0.05.
Supporting Documents and Materials

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IRB

Institutional Review Boards (IRBs)

IRB Name
WU Ethics Board
IRB Approval Date
2026-02-16
IRB Approval Number
WU-RP-2026-005
Analysis Plan

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