It's also reinforced because whenever these restrictions are put in place, there's a part of the psyche (collective and individual both) which suspects the punishment is deserved. It's one of the reactions that makes us social animals, trying to fit in together. This is why, unless there's an organized group prepared to fight, spontaneous reactions will only hide and turn away even when the punishment is obviously completely arbitrary and wrong by the established standards.
The justifications for restricting against sex work make no sense on their face. But people don't react based on sense, just like they weren't imposed based on that sense.
The incestuous loop of banks and Congress which created sestafosta and then pointed at it as a reason to fuck with people is the bathrobe wrapped around the abuser, barely hiding the aroused state in which he approaches with belt in hand to deliver a beating.