commercial sex workers

HIV

This case study from 2005 by the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network explores sex work related laws and argues for reform of provisions related to sex work in the Criminal Code which undermine sex workers’ ability to realise their human rights. An article in AIDS 1998, 12:1851–1859. Background: The male condom is the most effective barrier method available for protection against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV infection. There is an urgent need to develop and evaluate other prevention methods, such as the female condom. This study estimated the additional protection against STDs offered to sex workers by giving them the option of using

journal article

An article in J Infect Dis. (2011) 204 (suppl 5): S1235-S1240. Background: Female sex workers (FSWs) are vulnerable to physical and sexual violence at work. This article examines the prevalence of recent physical and sexual violence victimization and associations of type of sex work among a large sample of young FSWs. The expansion of access to antiretroviral therapy for millions of persons living with HIV in low-income countries has been lauded by many. However, the investment in such programs has at the same time been criticized by others, who claim diversion of resources from HIV prevention efforts and from other

children of sex workers

Article in the Health 2011; 2(2):37-40. Background: Children of commercial sex workers (CSW) are deprived from almost all the rights of the society. More attention is paid to the CSWs but their children are neglected. This study was conducted to estimate the morbidity and psychosocial behaviour of children of CSWs and their needs. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted. The children of female sex workers inhabit two separate worlds. “Your mother is bad. The company she keeps is bad. Her behaviour is bad”: this is the child’s first world; while the other is: “My Mother”.

rehabilitation

The study adopted client–centred approach to enhance withdrawal cognition in commercial sex workers in four Local Government Areas of Oyo State, Nigeria. Withdrawal Cognition Scale by Laim and Tabaka (1995) was used to elicit information from 160 sex workers in four randomly selected Local Government Areas of Oyo State, Nigeria. The purpose of the study was to control the spread of HIV/AIDS among sex workers who earn their living in the sex trade. The study also aims to give them knowledge and skills required to earn a living from less dangerous activities. An article in Health and Human Rights, Vol

trafficking

Sherief Gaber offers a fascinating and thorough analysis of anti-trafficking rhetoric and the ideology and actions it drives. In an article in the Huffington Post US academic Ronald Weitzer provides a clear explanation of why the claims being made about sex trafficking by celebrities, charities, UN and government agencies should not be taken at face value. One of the very few articles that relates sex work and income generation. Drawing on very little evidence it suggests that microfinance can contribute towards addressing the problems of human trafficking through “(i) Income generation and job creation; (ii) Education; (iii) Vocational skills training; (iv) Family

Sweden

Review : Ross, Crisp, Månsson and Hawkes have published “Occupational Health and Safety Among Commercial Sex Workers” in the latest ‘online first’ edition of the Scandinavian Journal of Work Environment and Health. At first look the article appears to be a welcome contribution to efforts to place sex work within the realm of labour and outside what the piece itself terms “moral discourses that ignore, devalue, or condemn commercial sex workers” (page 1). However it also disappoints in fundamental respects. Its contribution to strategies for improving sex worker OHS is limited and the suggestions for legal reform seem to betray the authors’ ambivalence

Psychological factors in Nepali former commercial sex workers with HIV.

This study examined perceived stress, coping style, and symptoms of anxiety and depression in HIV-positive Nepali women who were formerly commercial sex workers (CSWs). It found that the level of perceived stress was similar to that observed in a healthy female population of similar age. The primary coping style was problem-focused, with the strategy of seeking social support, accepting responsibility, and distancing. There was low prevalence of psychological symptoms. Somatic symptoms, which may be more relevant than affective symptoms in non-Western populations, were the best indicator of depression. Future studies are needed to examine culturally relevant appraisals, coping style, and

Banking Services for Sex Workers

There are a number of people who earn their living directly or indirectly through commercial sex work. Exploitation, vulnerability, forced labour; servitude, stigmatization characterizes Commercial Sex Workers (CSW). A sense of immorality, criminality, and informality associated with their work keeps them excluded from mainstream society. This clandestine work does not allow them to enjoy any social power. They are compelled to keep themselves away from participating in any social, political or economic activities with mainstream society. Moreover, the lack of education, economic opportunities and health opportunities further marginalizes them. Their involvement in protest movements can only be traced in the

RIGHTS-BURMA: For Sex Workers, A Life of Risks

A news story by Mon Mon Myat on the australia.to website which explores the situation of older sex workers in Burma. RIGHTS-BURMA: For Sex Workers, A Life of Risks Written by Mon Mon Myat RANGOON, Feb 25 (IPS) – When Aye Aye (not her real name) leaves her youngest son at home each night, she tells him that she has to work selling snacks. But what Aye actually sells is sex so that her 12-year-old son, a Grade 7 student, can finish his education. ” Every night I work with the intention of giving my son some money the next

Harsh realities: Reasons for women's involvement in sex work in India

This study, in the Journal of AIDS and HIV Research Vol. 3(9), pp. 172-179, documents the reasons and processes for involvement of women into sex work in India. The study is based on in-depth interviews with a cross-section of commercial sex workers in four Indian states – Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. It shows that most women enter sex work due to a complex set of reasons as opposed to any one single over-riding reason. While abject poverty was cited as the main cause by almost three-fourths of the women interviewed, lack of education, financial freedom, domestic violence, family responsibility,

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