Violence Against Women Engaged in Sex Work

• In Event: Violence Against Women Internationally

Abstract

Although considerable research documents the prevalence of violence among women engaged in sex work (WESW) and its subsequent impacts on their health and well-being, less is known about a) factors associated with vulnerability to violence, and b) whether distinct factors are associated with different types of violence faced by WESW. Data for this analysis come from a serial cross-sectional survey conducted among WESW in southern India (2006, 2007, 2008-09) recruited through respondent driven sampling. Most of the women are members of the scheduled castes (Dalits), overwhelmingly poor and socially marginalized which exacerbates their vulnerability to violence. We describe the prevalence of three different forms of violence among this group of WESW – client perpetrated violence, interpersonal violence perpetrated by non-client (romantic) partners, and police-perpetrated violence – and analyze factors associated with these different forms. Specifically, we focus on factors associated with power of WESW in the household, at work, and in the community, as well as the impact of their involvement in a community mobilization intervention implemented to address HIV risk during the study period. We discuss the implications of findings for policing practices, policies regulating sex work, and interventions targeted to addressing vulnerability among WESW.

Authors

• Kim M. Blankenship, American University

• Mona Danner, Old Dominion University

• Lucia Fort, World Bank

• Gay Young, American University