Violence against women in sex work and HIV risk implications differ qualitatively by perpetrator.
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Date
2013-09-23
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BioMed Central
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Physical and sexual violence heighten STI/HIV risk for women in sex work. Against this backdrop, we describe the nature of abuse against women in sex work, and its STI/HIV implications, across perpetrators.
METHODS:
Adult women involved in sex work (n = 35) in Baltimore, MD participated in an in-depth interview and brief survey.
RESULTS:
Physical and sexual violence were prevalent, with 43% reporting past-month abuse. Clients were the primary perpetrators; their violence was severe, compromised women's condom and sexual negotiation, and included forced and coerced anal intercourse. Sex work was a factor in intimate partner violence. Police abuse was largely an exploitation of power imbalances for coerced sex.
CONCLUSIONS:
Findings affirm the need to address physical and sexual violence, particularly that perpetrated by clients, as a social determinant of health for women in sex work, as well as a threat to safety and wellbeing, and a contextual barrier to HIV risk reduction.
Description
PMC3852292
Keywords
Violence, HIV risk, Sex work
Citation
doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-13-876