Why shouldn't prostitution be encouraged?

significant exposure to violence and studies suggest trauma, drug abuse, and mental illness at rates far above the general population. One study in Australia found PTSD prevalence among street workers above levels of war veterans.

https://theconversation.com/a-soldier-and-a-sex-worker-walk-...

I think that study you linked does more to prove there isn't significant risk of increased PTSD for prostitutes. It's very close to the general population average. Since it's an average I would think you could find other professionals with more PTSD likelihood, such as trauma surgeons, social workers, or social media content censors.

did you misread the source? The provided numbers are 8-12% in the general population, and between 40-55%(!) among sex workers.

Yes, I did. My apologies!

Perhaps I "aspired to" would be clearer. I very much think that prohibition has, like other things, made it more dangerous. But it sounds like hard, dangerous work with likely damaging effects means other professions should be preferred.