Intimate-Partner and Client-Initiated Violence among Female Street-Based Sex Workers in China: Does a Support Network Help?

Abstract

BackgroundGlobally, female street-based sex workers are vulnerable to gender-based violence. Previous research has shown having a peer social network can reduce sex workers’ risks of victimization. However, mechanisms of how social network impacts violence among female street-based sex workers are still far from clear.MethodsOur study was based on data abstracted from a paper-and-pencil survey administered among 218 female street-based sex workers in Shanghai, China. We focused on self-reported client-initiated violence and intimate-partner violence in emotional, physical, and sexual forms. Social networks were characterized by the size and sources of financial and psychosocial support (e.g. family, friends, and peers). Multi-variable logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (AOR) of each type of violence exposure by social network structure after the adjustment of age, education, and years in Shanghai.ResultsThe street-based female sex workers in our study were primarily rural-to-urban migrants (95.7%) with an average age of 41 years old. 24.3% and 62.8% of the sex workers reported intimate-partner violence and client-initiated violence respectively. Lack of financial support, as defined by having only one individual or none in her peer support system to help financially, was significantly associated with self-reported intimate-partner violence (AOR: 2.5; 95% CI: 1.1–5.9). Respondents who reported client-initiated violence, by contrast, were more likely to report lacked psychosocial support from family (AOR: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.0–4.6) and peers (AOR: 5.1, 95% CI: 2.2–11).ConclusionThis study is one of the first to systematically analyze the associations between social network and gender-based violence among street-based female sex worker. We reported a high prevalence of both types of gender-based violence and their complex associations with family, friends, and peer support network. Policies with goals to reduce violence against women may apply these findings to leverage social network in the interventions against gender-based violence.

The care network of the families involved in violence against children and adolescents: the Primary Health Care perspective

“…, Zannettino & McLaren , Deslandes & Campos , Hail‐Jares et al . ). Characteristics like noninstitutionalised relationships (‘person‐dependent’ relationships), nonrecognition of partners, weakened inter‐ and intrasectorial relationships, and homogeneous networks refer to the Cartesian and positivist paradigm, hampering or impeding care for complex health phenomena, especially in nursing.…”

“…), while another study positively associated the poor social network of female sex workers with greater vulnerability to gender violence in China (Hail‐Jares et al . ). The social support network for a child with aggressive behaviour, in another context, contributed to reduce its medicalisation (Becker et al .…”

“…The categories uncovered in this study -'Network care: the web of institutions and sectors' and 'Network care: weaknesses and fragmentations'are evidence that network care and the cross-disciplinary perspective face barriers to take form in the institutions' daily practice. However, these perspectives were legitimised and validated as the main possibilities to build qualified and effective interventions for complex phenomena like violence (Ramirez et al 2012, Zannettino & McLaren 2014, Deslandes & Campos 2015, Hail-Jares et al 2015. Characteristics like noninstitutionalised relationships ('person-dependent' relationships), nonrecognition of partners, weakened inter-and intrasectorial relationships, and homogeneous networks refer to the Cartesian and positivist paradigm, hampering or impeding care for complex health phenomena, especially in nursing.…”

“…Besides the questions considered, complex and intersectorial actions in a network go beyond borders and respond to the demands through exchanges in health practices; in that context, different social groups are summoned to discuss and construct collective projects (Monteiro et al 2015). A study developed in Malawi demonstrated that the service network can benefit child health care (O'Hare et al 2015), while another study positively associated the poor social network of female sex workers with greater vulnerability to gender violence in China (Hail-Jares et al 2015). The social support network for a child with aggressive behaviour, in another context, contributed to reduce its medicalisation (Becker et al 2014).…”

“After Your Honor is Gone…”: Exploration of Developmental Trajectories and Life Experiences of Women Working in Mumbai’s Red-Light Brothel Districts

“…However, scholarship focused on the support networks of participations of the street-based sex industry, once again, inform the present investigation. A handful of studies conducted in the United States, England, Canada, and China suggest that street-based FSWs rely on social support from peers-and often to reduce risk of client-initiated violence (see Hail-Jares et al 2015;Shannon et al 2009), thus suggesting significant trust in peer-to-peer relationships. On the other hand, work by Dalla (2002) paints a different picture-one in which relationships among street-based sex workers are characterized by competition and contention, and a clear lack of affinity or trust.…”