Sexual Assault Survivors Who Exchange Sex: Identity, Stigma, and Informal Responses From Support Providers

Abstract

It is well established in the literature that individuals who engage in sex work are more likely to experience sexual trauma/violence, but little research has examined experiences of sexual assault survivors who exchange sex from the survivor’s perspective. Sexual assault survivors and their informal support providers (SPs; e.g., family, friends, romantic partners) were interviewed separately about disclosure, social reactions, and help-seeking following assault. Sixteen survivors mentioned experiences exchanging sex, which comprise the sample for the current study as well as comments from twelve SPs. Qualitative analysis revealed several themes including violence experienced engaging in sex work, navigating stigma and the identity of both sexual assault survivor and sex worker, and how survivors’ social supports impact their recovery. Survivors endorsed their sex worker identities at varying levels, and others used their identity as a sexual assault survivor to explain why they engaged in sex work. Social work implications regarding service provision and advocacy work are discussed.

Post-Gender-Based Violence Services Utilization Among Female Entertainment Workers in Cambodia: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…FEWs might be more likely to seek emotional support within their accessible support systems, such as friends, colleagues, or family members. This finding is consistent with a qualitative study in the United States that examined the experiences of FSWs who survived sexual assault (Shepp et al, 2020). The result revealed that some informal supporters, including family, friends, and intimate partners, expressed their empathy and understanding of the survivors (Shepp et al, 2020).…”

“…This finding is consistent with a qualitative study in the United States that examined the experiences of FSWs who survived sexual assault (Shepp et al, 2020). The result revealed that some informal supporters, including family, friends, and intimate partners, expressed their empathy and understanding of the survivors (Shepp et al, 2020). Informal supporters could encourage women to seek services following the experience of violence.…”

Transactional sex among women in Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…This leads to risky sexual behaviour in women and the life experiences of street women in the city. The study revealed that sexual violence has been increasing the exchange of sex [ 68 ].…”

Confronting COVID-19 in ‘Social Class in America’: Research and Reflections by Working-Class Student-Scholars

“…However, it is totally possible, but not always the case, for people feel that their body is still theirs after performing sex work. In the article Sexual Assault Survivors Who Exchange Sex, the authors found that '23.5% of sexual assault survivors engaged in sex work following their assault' (Shepp et al 2020). Additionally, they pointed out how, for sex workers, 'engaging in sex work was related to regaining control over both their lives and bodies post-assault,' and that 'child sexual abuse and sexual assault in adolescence or adulthood may also serve as a pathway to engaging in sex work, through running away from abuse at home... and/or making it difficult to set boundaries and develop healthy sexuality later in life (Shepp et al 2020).…”

“…The stigma around sex work, LGBTQ+ identities, and sexual assault makes it difficult for victims to receive aid. One study found that 44 percent of street-based sex workers have been sexually assaulted by the police (Shepp et al 2020). According to the Washington Post, the statistic for U.S. rapist felony convictions is about 0.7%.…”