Gender-Based Violence and Factors Associated with Victimization among Female Entertainment Workers in Cambodia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Women working in the entertainment industry are confronted with various forms of gender-based violence (GBV). However, their vulnerability remains understudied, particularly in resource-limited settings. This study aims to examine the prevalence of GBV among female entertainment workers (FEWs) in Cambodia and identify factors associated with victimization. We conducted a cross-sectional study in November 2018 for the impact evaluation of a randomized controlled trial. We used a stratified random sampling method to recruit 600 FEWs from different entertainment venues in the capital city and three other provinces. Female data collectors administered a structured questionnaire, and we performed multiple logistic regression analyses. Of the total, 60.5% had experienced a form of GBV during their lifetime; of whom, 37.5% experienced the GBV in the past 6 months. The prevalence of emotional abuse, forced substance use, physical abuse, and forced sex was 51.5%, 25.0%, 20.6%, and 2.9%, respectively. Forced substance use and forced sex were mainly perpetrated by clients, physical abuse by intimate partners, and emotional abuse by others such as entertainment establishment owners or managers. FEWs victimized by clients (relative risk ratio [RRR] = 0.19, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.07, 0.53]) and others (RRR = 0.11, 95% CI = [0.03, 0.44]) were less likely to be married compared with victims of intimate partner violence. Factors associated with sexual harassment were working in beer gardens (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.39, 95% CI = [1.20, 4.73]) and restaurants/cafés (aOR = 1.65, 95% CI = [1.01, 2.69]), and having higher acceptance of violence against women (aOR = 1.12, 95% CI = [1.01, 1.24]). FEWs in Cambodia experience high levels and unique forms of GBV as they are confronted with different types of perpetrators. Interventions need to be tailored to fit the specific needs of FEWs. Interventions aimed at reducing client-perpetrated violence should specifically focus on forced substance use and forced sex, while physical abuse by intimate partners should also be addressed.

Prevalence and social determinants of psychological distress among people who use drugs in Cambodia

“…We also found that 43% of female participants in this study worked in the entertainment sector compared to only 4% of men. Being female entertainment workers could be an underlying factor because a previous study among female entertainment workers in Cambodia showed a high prevalence of gender-based violence at work and its positive association with psychological distress [49]. This result implies that interventions to address mental health among people who use drugs should be gender-sensitive and focused on subpopulations with lower education and in occupations that expose them to underlying risks.…”

A Mobile Intervention to Link Young Female Entertainment Workers in Cambodia to Health and Gender-Based Violence Services: Randomized Controlled Trial

“…FEWs have an HIV prevalence of nearly 10% and low HIV and STI testing rates and service seeking [ 10 ]. They also have low rates of modern contraceptive use and high rates of induced abortion [ 8 , 11 ] and are frequent victims of GBV [ 7 , 12 ]. The rates are higher among FEWs younger than 30 years than among the older groups [ 10 - 12 ].…”

Developing a WhatsApp hotline for female entertainment workers in Cambodia: a qualitative study

“…However, due to long work hours, low pay, and unhealthy working conditions, many women take higher-paying jobs offered by entertainment venues, where some may engage in selling sex to further increase their earnings (1). Despite the increased pay, FEWs in Cambodia are frequently victims of violence associated with their occupation, where 37.5% of FEWs report having experienced some types of violence the past six months, and more than half of FEWs report their clients as the main perpetrator (10).…”

“…For instance, FEWs often report facing discrimination from providers when seeking health and support services (9). Additionally, their health access has been further exacerbated by the introduction of Cambodia's 2008 Law on the Suppression of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation, which aimed to criminalized prostitution (10). In Cambodia, outlawing prostitution has ultimately amplified the stigma and discrimination associated with entertainment work and deterred FEWs from carrying condoms and reporting violence instances to the police (9,11,12).…”