The ‘Stolen Generations' of Mothers and Daughters: Child Apprehension and Enhanced HIV Vulnerabilities for Sex Workers of Aboriginal Ancestry

Abstract

ObjectivesThe number of children in care of the state continues to grow in BC, Canada with a historical legacy of child apprehension among criminalized and marginalized populations, particularly women of Aboriginal ancestry and sex workers. However, there is a paucity of research investigating child apprehension experiences among marginalized mothers. The objective of the current analysis is to examine the prevalence and correlates of child apprehensions among female sex workers in Vancouver, Canada.MethodsAnalyses were drawn from the AESHA (An Evaluation of Sex Workers Health Access, 2010-present), a prospective cohort of street and off-street SWs, through outreach and semi-annual visits to the research office. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to examine correlates of child apprehension.ResultsOf a total of 510 SWs, 350 women who had given birth to at least one child were included in the analyses (median age = 37 yrs: IQR: 31–44 yrs). The prevalence of child apprehension among mothers was 38.3%, with 37.4% reporting having been apprehended themselves by child welfare services. In multivariable analysis, servicing clients in outdoor public spaces (versus formal sex work establishments or informal indoor settings) (adjusted odds ratio, (aOR) = 2.73; 95%CI 1.27–5.90), history of injecting drugs (aOR = 2.53; 95%CI 1.42–4.49), Aboriginal ancestry (aOR = 1.66; 95%CI 1.01–2.74) were associated with increased odds of child apprehension.Discussion/ConclusionsChild apprehension rates are high, particularly among the most marginalized sex workers, including sex workers who use drugs and sex workers of Aboriginal ancestry. Structural reforms to child protection are urgently needed, that support family-based care address the historical legacy of colonization affecting Aboriginal peoples.

Sex Work and Motherhood: Social and Structural Barriers to Health and Social Services for Pregnant and Parenting Street and Off-Street Sex Workers

“…Our finding that sex workers avoided accessing services for fear of having their children taken away (apprehended) by children protection services is not unwarranted, considering 37% of sex workers in our study reported ever having a child apprehended, and 38% had been apprehended themselves as children (Duff et al, 2014). These high rates of child apprehension may be owing to the multiple vulnerabilities faced by sex workers (e.g., poverty, homelessness, addiction), as well as child protection workers enforcing laws and regulations that associate parental sex work with placing their children at harm for sexual abuse or exploitation(Barnett, 2008).…”

HIV Among Indigenous peoples: A Review of the Literature on HIV-Related Behaviour Since the Beginning of the Epidemic

“…Indigenous peoples have a long history of mistrust of health and social services, which has been an ongoing feature of colonization and elements of which continue to this day [ 105 ]. Therefore, involvement of Indigenous peoples in HIV prevention and treatment programs is essential.…”

Experiences of chronic stress and mental health concerns among urban Indigenous women

“…Another impact of colonization reflects the concerning trend of the apprehension of children from Indigenous women particularly those considered marginalized due to experiences in sex work or substance use (Duff et al 2014). We utilized the parental stress scale to assess stress levels of the mothers in our study; although it does not capture specific events such as child apprehension, it does capture the desire and intentions of being the ideal mother.…”