Prevalence and Correlates of Client-Perpetrated Violence against Female Sex Workers in 13 Mexican Cities

Abstract

BackgroundGlobally, client-perpetrated violence against female sex workers (FSWs) has been associated with multiple health-related harms, including high-risk sexual behavior and increased exposure to HIV/STIs. This study examined correlates of client-perpetrated sexual, physical, and economic violence (e.g., robbery) against FSWs in 13 cities throughout Mexico.MethodsFSWs (N = 1,089) who were enrolled in a brief, evidence-based, sexual risk reduction intervention for FSWs (Mujer Segura) were interviewed about their work context, including experiences of violence perpetrated by clients, sexual risk and substance use practices, financial need, and social supports. Three broad categories of factors (sociodemographic, work context, behavioral and social characteristics of FSWs) were examined as correlates of sexual, physical, and economic violence.ResultsThe prevalence of different types of client-perpetrated violence against FSWs in the past 6 months was: sexual (11.7%), physical (11.8%), economic (16.9%), and any violence (22.6%). Greater financial need, self-identification as a street worker, and lower perceived emotional support were independently associated with all three types of violence. Alcohol use before or during sex with clients in the past month was associated with physical and sexual violence. Using drugs before or during sex with clients, injection drug use in the past month, and population size of city were associated with sexual violence only, and FSWs’ alcohol use score (AUDIT-C) was associated with economic violence only.ConclusionsCorrelates of client-perpetrated violence encompassed sociodemographic, work context, and behavioral and social factors, suggesting that approaches to violence prevention for FSWs must be multi-dimensional. Prevention could involve teaching FSWs strategies for risk avoidance in the workplace (e.g., avoiding use of alcohol with clients), enhancement of FSWs’ community-based supports, development of interventions that deliver an anti-violence curriculum to clients, and programs to address FSWs’ financial need by increasing their economic opportunities outside of the sex trade.

Violence, stigma and mental health among female sex workers in China: A structural equation modeling

“…Intimate partner violence is defined as “behaviors within an intimate relationship that cause physical, sexual or psychological harm, including acts of physical aggression, sexual coercion, psychological abuse and controlling behaviors” (World Health Organization, 2010, p11). Female sex workers (FSWs) comprise a vulnerable population who can be victimized by violence either from their stable partners (e.g., husbands, or long-term commercial partners) (Zhang et al, 2012) or from clients (Semple et al, 2015). Other than increasing vulnerability to HIV infection (Ulibarri et al, 2010), unwanted pregnancy (Silverman, Gupta, Decker, Kapur, & Raj, 2007), and physical injury (Antai, 2011), violence often causes adverse health consequences, including mental health problems (e.g., depression, loneliness, and suicidal behavior) among FSWs (Hong, Zhang, Li, Liu, & Zhou, 2013; O’Campo, Woods, Jones, Dienemann, & Campbell, 2006; Ouellet-Morin et al, 2015).…”

The Labour of Paying for Education: An Exploration of Student Sex Work in Canada

“…These quotes highlight that aggressive clients contribute to both workers' perception of, and lived experiences with physical danger. Moreover, they correspond with existing studies on violence against sex workers in the USA, Canada, the UK, and Australia, which report that 40% to 82% of sex workers have been physically or sexually assaulted by an aggressive client (Valera, Sawyer & Schiraldi 2001;Raphael & Shapiro, 2004;Shannon et al, 2009;Semple et al, 2015).…”

“…Although the results of this study indicated that there were many benefits to working in the sex industry, there were also challenges and risks. Consistent with the literature, the students in this study reported that sex work left them vulnerable to violence (Haeger & Deil-Amen, 2010;Raphael & Shapiro, 2004;Shannon et al, 2009;Semple et al, 2015). While participants cited taking numerous precautions to ensure their safety, physical danger was still emphasized as a major perceived and realized risk to working in the sex industry.…”

Sexual Violence and Consequences of Unintended Pregnancy among the Street Based Sex Workers in Nepal

“…Globally, client-perpetrated violence against FSWs has been associated with multiple healthrelated harms, including high-risk sexual behavior and increased exposure to HIV/STIs. They are often exposed to work-related traumas in the form of sexual, physical, and economic violence perpetrated by clients (Semple, et al, 2015).These women, who engage in the provision of sexual services for commercial consideration, put themselves at special risk of health problems for a variety of reasons. They are subject to considerable risks of physical abuse, including beatings and rape.…”