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Date: April 29, 2024 Mon
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167 results foundAuthor: Skilbrei, May-Len Title: Facing Return: Perceptions of Repatriation among Nigerian Women in Prostitution in Norway Summary: This report explores the prospects and needs of Nigerian women in prostitution in Norway with regard to voluntary return or deportation to Nigeria. Details: Oslo: Fafo Institute for Applied International Studies, 2007. 89p. Source: Fafo-report 555 Year: 2007 Country: Norway URL: Shelf Number: 116513 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitution |
Author: Quadara, Antonio Title: Sex Workers and Sexual Assault in Australia: Prevalence, Risk and Safety Summary: This paper provides a review of contemporary research on the sexual assault of sex workers in Australia. It focuses predominantly on the safety of sex workers in their work contexts. It aims to understand both what increases their vulnerability to sexual assault and what maximizes their ability to negotiate safe encounters, disclose sexual assault and access support services. Details: Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies, 2008. 38p. Source: Issues No. 8 Year: 2008 Country: Australia URL: Shelf Number: 118304 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitution (Australia)Sexual Assault (Australia) |
Author: Martyn, Elizabeth Title: Youth for Sale: ECAT Australia's National Inquiry into the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children and Young People in Australia Summary: This research was conducted in order to gain insight into the nature and extent of young peoples' involvement in commercial sexual activity within Australia. Data collected for the report was aimed at determining if commercial sexual exploitation was increasing or decreasing, and to provide an understanding of the forces and circumstances which predispose young people to engage in prostitution. Details: South Melbourne: ECPAT Australia, 1998. 81p. Source: Year: 1998 Country: Australia URL: Shelf Number: 118308 Keywords: Child ProstitutionProstitutesProstitution (Australia)Sexual Exploitation (Children) |
Author: Ward, K.T. Title: In Pieces: A Review of Prostitution, Community Safety Issues and Good Practice Summary: This report highlights key community safety issues raised locally and nationally in relation to prostitution and identifies areas of good practice that can inform the Ipswich Street Prostitution Strategy and action plan. Additionally a review of press coverage during the critical period of the murders of 5 local women who worked as prostitutes in Ipswich was undertaken focusing on how the events of the murders unfolded and were reported by the media. Details: Ipswich, UK: Ipswich Community Safety Partnership, 2007. 144p. Source: Available at the Rutgers Criminal Justice Library Year: 2007 Country: United Kingdom URL: Shelf Number: 117094 Keywords: HomicideMediaProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers |
Author: Crago, Anna-Louise Title: Arrest the Violence: Human Rights Abuses Against Sex Workers in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia Summary: This report examines police abuse of sex workers in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The report is based on interviews with more than 200 male, female and transgender sex workers between 2007 and 2009 and documents widespread violence and discrimination against them, particularly by state actors. It calls for governments throughout the region to hold police accountable for crimes such as extortion, rape, beatings and other abuse. Details: Budapest: Sex Workers' Rights Advocacy Network, 2009. 74p. Source: Year: 2009 Country: Europe URL: Shelf Number: 118301 Keywords: ProstitutesRapeSex WorkersSexual Violence |
Author: Farley, Melissa Title: Men Who Buy Sex: Who They Buy and What They Know Summary: A sample of 103 men in London, England, who used trafficked and non-trafficked women in prostitution were asked about their experiences and awareness of the sex industry. Almost all (96%) bought sex indoors. Many reported that they were aware of pimping, trafficking and other coercive control over those in massage parlor, brothel, and escort prostitution. These men were frequently aware of the vulnerability and risk factors for entry into prostitution including childhood abuse, lack of alternative job choices, coercive control and homelessness. The men listed effective deterrents to buying sex which included time in prison, public exposure and being issued a Anti-Social Behaviour Order. They described their ambivalence about buying sex and their ambivalence about the nature of their relationships with women. Details: London: EAVES; San Francisco: Prostitution Research & Education, 2009. 32p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2009 Country: United Kingdom URL: Shelf Number: 117575 Keywords: Human TraffickingProstitutesProstitutionSex OffensesSex TraffickingSexual Violence |
Author: Great Britain. Government Equalities Office Title: Women Not for Sale: A Report on Advertising Women in Small Ads in Local Newspapers Summary: The Central Office of Information (COI) was asked to assess the scale and nature of the advertising of women, and services supplied by women, by: reviewing ‘Personal Services’ classifieds from a snapshot sample of regional publications across the country; analysing the data gathered to identify where these advertisements are most likely to appear (in terms of region, publisher and type of (publication); and assessing how the tone and content of these advertisements varies by region, publisher and type of publication. COI Strategic Consultancy carried out an audit of local newspapers in all nine Government Office Regions (including London). The audit was carried out on 18 October 2007, and examined a sample of the local, daily and weekly newspapers available on 17 October; a total of 79 newspapers were examined. In each region, the sample comprised a mix of free and paid-for publications of daily and weekly titles, and covered a range of circulations and a spread of publishers. The audit confirmed that the practice of advertising women and services supplied by women in regional newspapers is widespread. Almost 75% of the publications audited in this review carried advertisements mentioning services from women, and almost half carried classifieds specifically mentioning non-British women. Details: London: Government Equalities Office, 2008. 27p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2008 Country: United Kingdom URL: Shelf Number: 119386 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitution |
Author: Boyer, Debra Title: Who Pays the Price? Assessment of Youth Involvement in Prostitution in Seattle Summary: This report provides an assessment of child prostitution in Seattle. The report found that approximately 300–500 kids under 18 are currently involved in prostitution. They are also starting younger; at 12–13 years old. This report was commissioned to guide funding and policy decisions related to the issue of youth prostitution, and to help facilitate a more coordinated response to the problem. Details: Seattle, WA: City of Seattle Human Services Department, Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention Division, 2008. 44p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2008 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 119389 Keywords: Juvenile Prostitution (Seattle)Prostitutes |
Author: New Zealand. Ministry of Justice Title: Review of Street-Based Prostitution in Manukau City Summary: The review seeks to identify problems associated with street based prostitution in Manukau, particularly in Hunters Corner and around the Northcrest car park, establish what the causes are, and propose actions to mitigate these problems. The initial part of the review of street-based sex work in Manukau concluded that the issues are limited to very specific areas of Manukau City, (around Hunters Corner and Northcrest car park) in which an estimated maximum of 20 street-based workers work on any given night. The scope of the review findings is therefore limited to these two areas and aims to suggest a response to improve overall community safety and reduce community harm (including harm to sex workers) in the two areas. Details: Wellington, NZ: Ministry of Justice, 2009. 21p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2009 Country: New Zealand URL: Shelf Number: 119460 Keywords: ProstitutesSex WorkersStreet Prostitution |
Author: Victoria. Parliament. Drugs and cRime Prevention Committee Title: Inquiry Into People Trafficking for Sex Work: Final Report Summary: This study reports on the prevalence of women trafficked to Australia for sexual purposes. It is an attempt to make the Melbourne community aware of this crime and to institute a better regime to protect these vulnerable women. The report recommends that a special unit be set up in the Department of Justice to work in the sex industry area and particularly with trafficked women. Details: Melbourne: Government Printer for State of Victoria, 2010. 257p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2010 Country: Australia URL: Shelf Number: 119533 Keywords: Human TraffickingProstitutesProstitutionSex TraffickingSex WorkersSexual Exploitation |
Author: Rosen, Eva Title: A "Perversion" of Choice: Sex Work Offers Just Enough in Chicago's Urban Ghetto Summary: In an apartment building on Chicago’s Southside, fifty of the seventy-five residents are sex workers. Our study uses in-depth interviews and participant observation of Chicago’s sex work economy to argue that sex work is one constituent part of an overall low-wage, off- the-books economy of resource exchange among individuals in a bounded geographic setting. To an outsider, the decision to be a sex worker seems irrational; in this paper we argue that specific localized conditions invert this decision and render it entirely rational. For the men and women in our study, sex work acts as a short-term solution that satisfices the demands of persistent poverty and instability, and it provides a meaningful option in the quest for a job that provides autonomy and personal fulfillment. Details: New York: Center for Urban Research and Policy, Columbia University, 2009. 37p. Source: Internet Resource; Accessed August 8, 2010 at: http://www.sociology.columbia.edu/pdf-files/rosenvenk.pdf Year: 2009 Country: United States URL: http://www.sociology.columbia.edu/pdf-files/rosenvenk.pdf Shelf Number: 116302 Keywords: EthnographyProstitutesProstitutionSex Work (Chicago) |
Author: Bjorndahl, Ulla Title: Fair Game: A Survey of the Violence Experienced by Women Working as Prostitutes Summary: This is a report on the violence, threats and harassment faced by women working as prostitutes. The respondents to the survey were women who were in touch with one or more of the welfare service providers for women who have worked as prostitutes in Oslo. The main findings of the survey show that many of the respondents have experienced violence. Two thirds of the women stated that they had experienced violence, threats and harassment within or outside prostitution. Half of the respondents reported suffering prostitution-related violence, whilst half also stated that they had experienced non-prostitution-related violence. Over a third of respondents had experienced prostitution-related violence in the past year. One important finding is that the women had experienced more non-prostitution related than prostitution-related violence. The violence suffered by the women can be described as serious, and in many cases very serious. Where the violence was prostitution-related, the perpetrator was generally a new client or another stranger. In the case of respondents who had suffered non-prostitution-related violence, the perpetrator was generally their partner, but in some cases an acquaintance or stranger. The women who reported most violence were the ones who stated that they were addicted to drugs or alcohol. It is important to note that this survey shows the prevalence of violence against women who have worked as prostitutes. These women experience significantly more violent episodes than the general population. However, violent episodes are not part of their everyday experience as prostitutes. If you look at the number of client contacts (e.g. five a day, five days a week) relative to the number of violent episodes (between one and three over the time that they have worked as a prostitute), violence is very much the exception and not the rule when selling sex. Nevertheless, many women working as prostitutes are probably constantly in fear of violence. This report only presents some of the findings of the survey. In the long run, Pro Sentret would like to publish further reports based on the remaining material, which is both comprehensive and wide-ranging. Areas to look at would include the national and cultural variations in the responses. Details: Oslo: Pro Sentret, 2008. 65p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 16, 2010 at: http://www.prosenteret.no/images/stories/prostitusjon/Fair%20Game.pdf Year: 2008 Country: Norway URL: http://www.prosenteret.no/images/stories/prostitusjon/Fair%20Game.pdf Shelf Number: 120531 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitution (Norway)Sexual Violence |
Author: Willoughby, Michelle Title: Demand Deterrence Strategies: International Initiatives to Eliminate Demand for the Sex Trade Summary: Today’s research on prostitution largely focuses on the women selling sex rather than on the men who buy sex. The rule of supply and demand highlights the significant role that the buyers play in maintaining prostitution. If there was not a demand for prostitution, then prostitution simply would not exist. In recent years, communities worldwide have started to acknowledge this perspective and have begun implementing demand deterrence strategies. This report highlights such strategies and may be used as a best practice guide for deterring the demand for prostitution around the world. CAASE does not necessarily endorse the strategies outlined in this report. Rather, CAASE has chosen to compile this listing as a resource for future demand deterrence initiatives. Some of the approaches enumerated here are insensitive to those in the sex trade and misrepresent their experiences. In order for any of these strategies to be effective, the culture can no longer view women in prostitution as perpetrators of a crime, nor can we blame them for the exploitation and violence perpetrated against them. The first section of the report offers a description of the most common and the most successful demand deterrence strategies utilized worldwide. The two appendixes that follow enumerate specific strategies in greater detail and are organized alphabetically, according to location. Some of the strategies listed are no longer in effect. In such cases, their activities are described in the past tense. They remain a part of the report, however, to preserve any potential usefulness that may arise from knowledge of such programs in the future. The report will be continually updated to reflect changes in community responses to the demand for prostitution. Details: Chicago: Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation, 2008. 58p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 20, 2010 at: http://www.caase.org/pdf/resources/14-demand-deterrence-strategies.pdf Year: 2008 Country: International URL: http://www.caase.org/pdf/resources/14-demand-deterrence-strategies.pdf Shelf Number: 120549 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitutionSexual Exploitation |
Author: Durchslag, Rachel Title: Deconstructing The Demand for Prostitution: Preliminary Insights From Interviews With Chicago Men Who Purchase Sex Summary: In December of 2006 and June of 2007 the Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (CAASE), Prostitution Research and Education (PRE), and the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless (CCH) launched a research initiative in Chicago to investigate the cognitive and behavioral patterns of men who purchase sex. A team of ten individuals, including three survivors of the sex trade, were trained by CAASE and PRE. In total, the team interviewed 113 men who buy sex. Men were recruited through the “Erotic Services” section of Craigslist, the Chicago Reader, and Chicago After Dark. Each interview lasted approximately an hour and a half to two hours and consisted of both quantitative and qualitative questions. This report presents the findings of these interviews. Details: Chicago: Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation, 2008. 33p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 20, 2010 at: http://www.caase.org/pdf/resources/17-deconstructing-the-demand-for-prostitution.pdf Year: 2008 Country: United States URL: http://www.caase.org/pdf/resources/17-deconstructing-the-demand-for-prostitution.pdf Shelf Number: 120550 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitution (Chicago)Sexual Exploitation |
Author: LePard, Doug Title: Missing Women: Investigation Review Summary: The report provides a chronology of events and a critical analysis of the investigation into the then unexplained disappearances of numerous sex trade workers, the majority of whom were associated with the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver. We now know that many of the Missing Women fell prey to a serial killer. It should be noted at the outset that while it is clear today who the serial killer was, that is with the benefit of hindsight. Even when a fully functioning multi-jurisdictional team of highly competent and experienced investigators was assembled and had the capacity to review all available information, it still didn’t identify Pickton as a priority suspect and the case broke because of serendipitous circumstances. As well, two other serial murder cases in BC remain unresolved, despite extraordinary investigative efforts; clearly the challenges of a serial killer investigation are immense. The disappearances of the Missing Women began in the mid-1990s and ended when Robert Pickton was arrested in February 2002. The Review examines the general failures occurring in the Vancouver Police Department investigation, and also the specific failures occurring in the Coquitlam RCMP investigation after they received information and evidence in 1998 and 1999 that directly linked Pickton to homicides of sex trade workers. The Review concludes with recommendations that, if implemented, would correct problems and minimize the probability of such problems from occurring again. Some of these deficiencies have been corrected since they were first identified in 2004, but there are others beyond the control of the VPD that have not been satisfactorily addressed. Details: Vancouver, BC: Vancouver Police Department, 2010. 408p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 9, 2011 at: http://www.cbc.ca/bc/news/bc-100820-vancouver-police-pickton-investigation-review.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Canada URL: http://www.cbc.ca/bc/news/bc-100820-vancouver-police-pickton-investigation-review.pdf Shelf Number: 120735 Keywords: Criminal InvestigationsHomicideProstitutesSerial Crimes |
Author: Nelson, Wynn Title: Review of Service Provision for Women Involved in Prostitution in Dublin 24 Summary: In 2007, the Health Promotion Subgroup of Tallaght Drug Task Force (TDTF) decided to place a focus on prostitution and sex working in Dublin 24 because several local service providers including Needle Exchange, HSE outreach and community projects were becoming increasingly concerned about anecdotal reports of women working in prostitution in the area. The report is based on 37 individual interviews with representatives from 24 community/statutory/voluntary and private service providers ("Community interviews"); 9 women directly involved in prostitution ("Women's interviews"); findings from a survey of 48 women attending the Women's Health Project; findings from a Training Day offered to service providers; direct observation of areas in Tallaght known to be used for soliciting, and a search of the internet. The findings indicate that there are at least 106 females involved in prostitution operating in Dublin 24 or from Dublin 24 and working elsewhere. Section 1 introduces the background to the research. Section 2 provides context drawn from the literature. Section 3 describes the methods. Section 4, 5 and 6 presents the research findings: Section 4 outlines a profile of the women involved, Section 5 considers vulnerability and how to identify it. Section 6 looks at service provision. Section 7 concludes the research and Section 8 lists evidence-based recommendations to inform future planning. Details: Dublin: Tallaght Drugs Task Force, 2010. 36p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 17, 2011 at: http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/14546/1/Tallaght_Womens_Service_review.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Ireland URL: http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/14546/1/Tallaght_Womens_Service_review.pdf Shelf Number: 121058 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitution (Dublin, Ireland) |
Author: Cox, Gemma Title: Drug Use, Sex Work and the Risk Environment in Dublin Summary: The National Advisory Committee on Drugs (NACD) provides advice to the government in relation to the prevalence, prevention, treatment/rehabilitation and consequences of problem drug use in Ireland based on its analyses of research findings and information. Action 98 of the National Drugs Strategy requires the NACD to carry out research on drug misuse among at-risk groups, including prostitutes/sex workers. In response, the NACD undertook this study to explore female and male problematic drug-using sex workers’ lived experience of risk, and how the risk environment can mediate the individual’s capacity to reduce the risk of harm. The concept of the risk environment was broadly defined as comprising risk factors that are external to the individual. Thus, the ‘environment’ encompasses not only the physical space within which drug-using sex workers live and work, but also the social, economic and policy environment. The key findings of this report are that drug-using sex workers are exposed to multiple risks and harms in their living and working lives. While the men and women interviewed implemented a range of innovative strategies to reduce their risk of harm, there is an acceptability associated with certain risk behaviours in certain circumstances. The physical, economic and social environments within which drug-using sex workers find themselves impact on their construction of ‘risk’ and ‘harm’. For example, the social organisation of risk means that what from the outside may be perceived as being risk behaviour can to members of the social network serve important social/group functions. In order to enable individuals to effectively reduce their risk of harm, policymakers and service providers need to focus and redirect interventions towards the risk environment, in particular the social situations and places in which harm is produced and reduced. As a client group, drug-using sex workers have multiple, interlocking needs that span health, social and legal issues. Therefore, addressing their wider social and situational needs such as poverty, housing, educational needs and employment prospects are as fundamental to reducing their risk of harm as addressing their drug use. Details: Dublin: National Advisory Committee on Drugs, 2009. 208p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 17, 2011 at: http://www.nacd.ie/publications/Druguse_SexWork-Web.pdf Year: 2009 Country: Ireland URL: http://www.nacd.ie/publications/Druguse_SexWork-Web.pdf Shelf Number: 121059 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitution (Dublin, Ireland)Substance Abuse |
Author: OpenDoors Title: Rethinking Arrest: Street Prostitution and Public Policy in Rhode Island Summary: In Rhode Island, the criminalization, arrest, and incarceration of those engaging in prostitution is currently the central focus of efforts to decrease prostitution. These individuals are often poor or homeless, have substance abuse problems, are the victims of physical and sexual violence, and want to leave prostitution. OpenDoors encourages policy makers to improve the lives of those engaging in prostitution by funding outreach, job training, and diversionary programs, and by limiting jail time for prostitution-related charges. Details: Providence, RI: OpenDoors, 2009. 18p. Source: Internet Resource: Policy Report: Accessed April 14, 2011 at: http://opendoorsri.org/sites/default/files/RethinkingArrest.pdf Year: 2009 Country: United States URL: http://opendoorsri.org/sites/default/files/RethinkingArrest.pdf Shelf Number: 121342 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitution (Rhode Island) |
Author: Mai, Nick Title: Migrant Workers in the UK Sex Industry: Final Policy-Relevant Report Summary: The main aim of the project is to improve the understanding of the links between migration and the UK sex industry and migration in the UK, by drawing on the ways in which migrants themselves described their experiences and analysed their histories. The links between migration and the sex industry are predominantly addressed in current public debates in terms of trafficking and exploitation. Interviews with 100 migrant women, men and transgender people working in all of the main jobs available within the sex industry and from the most relevant areas of origin (South America, Eastern Europe, EU and South East Asia) indicate that approximately 13 per cent of female interviewees felt that they had been subject to different perceptions and experiences of exploitation, ranging from extreme cases of trafficking to relatively more consensual arrangements. Only a minority, amounting approximately to 6 per cent of female interviewees, felt that they had been deceived and forced into selling sex in circumstances within which they had no share of control or consent. Contrary to the emphasis given in current public debates about cases of trafficking and exploitation, the evidence gathered in the context of this project shows a great variety of life and work trajectories within the sex industry, which were influenced by key factors such as: social-economic background; educational aspirations and achievements; immigration status; professional and language skills; gender and sexuality; family history; and individual emotional history. Interviewees were from privileged, average and underprivileged socio-economic backgrounds, from structured as well as problematic families and their experience of education varied between elementary to post-graduate. In the majority of cases, the decision to migrate is based on the perception of a lack of opportunities of personal and professional development at home, with particular reference to the field of education. Most migrants did not work in the sex industry before coming to the UK and decided to do so after a long string of work experiences in other sectors, which were seen as comparatively less rewarding both in terms of remuneration and of the working conditions offered. The majority of interviewees were introduced to the possibility of working in the sex industry through friends and colleagues they met in other settings and decided to take up the opportunity after they saw positive examples in their everyday lives, both when they were home and in the country of origin. The stigma associated with sex work was the main problem for almost all interviewees, who felt that it had negative implications for their private and professional lives. Most interviewees complained that they found it difficult to reconcile working in the sex industry and having stable romantic relationships and that having to lead a double life with their partners, families and friends impacted negatively on their wellbeing. A majority of interviewees also underlined the way the stigma associated with sex work was implicated in legitimating violence against sex workers from a small minority of clients and from petty criminals. Almost all interviewees felt that the most advantageous aspects of their involvement in the sex industry were the possibility of earning considerably more money than in other sectors, the availability of time and the possibility of meeting interesting people, travelling and experiencing new and challenging situations. In most cases by working in the sex industry migrants were able to bridge an important gap in their aspirations to social mobility and felt that they were able to enjoy better living and working conditions. Most interviewees underlined that they enjoyed respectful and friendly relations with colleagues and clients and that by working in the sex industry they had better working and living conditions than those they encountered in other sectors of employment (mainly in the hospitality and care sectors). The research shows that most interviewees consciously decided to work in the sex industry and that only a minority felt that they had been forced to. The research findings strongly suggest that vulnerability, particularly to trafficking and exploitation, results from migrants’ socio-economic conditions, lack of information about their rights and entitlement to protection in the UK, their personal family and emotional circumstances, but, most of all, from their immigration status in the UK. Details: London: Institute for the Study of European Transformations, London Metropolitan University, 2010. 51p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 16, 2011 at: http://www.londonmet.ac.uk/fms/MRSite/Research/iset/Migrant%20Workers%20in%20the%20UK%20Sex%20Industry%20Policy-Relevant%20Findings2.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.londonmet.ac.uk/fms/MRSite/Research/iset/Migrant%20Workers%20in%20the%20UK%20Sex%20Industry%20Policy-Relevant%20Findings2.pdf Shelf Number: 121725 Keywords: Migrants (U.K.)ProstitutesProstitutionSex IndustrySex TraffickingSexual Exploitation |
Author: Felini, Martha Title: Prostitute Diversion Initiative: Annual Report: 2009-2010 Summary: The Dallas Police Department's Prostitute Diversion Initiative (PDI) is a novel law enforcement led prostitute diversion program that brings a comprehensive set of resources and services from a large cross section of organizations into the streets where the prostitutes work. Launched in 2007, the PDI has contacted a total of 538 prostitutes of which 174 entered the initial phase of the treatment program. Of those completing the initial treatment phase, 48% have not subsequently been re-arrested. This report documents the data collected from the 167 adult prostitutes contacted through the PDI from October 2009 through September 2010. The average PDI participant was black, female, 36 years of age, with at least a high school education. Most had children and were using drugs to cope with co-occurring mental health disorders. Sixty percent of those eligible were immediately diverted to treatment services appropriate for addressing alcohol and drug abuse, mental health disorders, or physical health care. In addition to dealing with addictions, treatment services incorporate within their programs the capacity to deal with the lifetime of trauma these women suffered that served as the impetus to their life of prostitution. Criminal offenses on beats where truck stops are located decreased 60% in 2009-2010 compared to the year prior to the implementation of the PDI. Details: Dallas, TX: New Life Prostitute Diversion Initiative, 2010. 34p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 23, 2011 at: http://cedata.org/pdi_wp/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/PDI-Annual-Report-2011_Final-RS.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://cedata.org/pdi_wp/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/PDI-Annual-Report-2011_Final-RS.pdf Shelf Number: 121782 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitution (Texas)RecidivismRehabilitation |
Author: Lainez, Nicolas Title: Prostitution Mobility and Representations The Case of Vietnamese Prostitutes Going to Cambodia Summary: This study is the first in a series of three, the objective of which is to understand international mobility undertaken for the purposes of prostitution and forms of commercial sex by low-skilled women and female minors from the Mekong Delta. The first study addresses cross-border mobility for prostitution between the Vietnamese southern province of An Giang and Cambodia. Field investigation shows that this flow of mobility, which attracted a significant number of women in the 1990s, has now dried up in Vietnam, essentially because Cambodia is no longer viewed as a destination for easy money but rather a dangerous and unwelcoming country. Details: Hô Chi Minh City & Bangkok: Alliance Anti-Trafic Vietnam & IRASEC/Observatory on Illicit Trafficking, 2011. 32p. Source: Internet Resource: Research Report No. 1: Accessed May 24, 2011 at: http://www.childtrafficking.com/Docs/alliance_anti_11_representation_0411.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Cambodia URL: http://www.childtrafficking.com/Docs/alliance_anti_11_representation_0411.pdf Shelf Number: 121796 Keywords: Human TraffickingProstitutesProstitution (Cambodia; Vietnam)Sexual Exploitation |
Author: Cohen, Marcia I. Title: Final Report on the Evaluation of the SAGE Project's LIFESKILLS and GRACE Programs Summary: The SAGE Project, Inc., is a nonprofit organization in San Francisco that operates two commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) intervention programs: LIFESKILLS and GRACE. Both programs operate from the philosophical approach of harm reduction, which emphasizes peer education and skills development. Participants in LIFESKILLS are younger (under 18) and are either involved in CSE or considered at high risk for sexual exploitation. The LIFESKILLS program offers case management, support groups, and referral services. Length of stay for LIFESKILLS girls ranges from 4 to 14 months. GRACE participants are older (adults) and have been arrested for prostitution. Most GRACE program clients are court-ordered to participate for a minimum of 25 hours of group services. This study used a four-phase participatory evaluation design that employed both quantitative and qualitative components. The two qualitative components (phases 1 and 4) used interviews with staff and program participants to assist in operationalizing variables for the evaluation, identifying process and outcome measures, and developing program logic models. The quantitative evaluation followed a quasi-experimental, nonequivalent group design to assess a set of outcomes (phase 2). The principal data sources included baseline and follow-up surveys and official arrest records. The process evaluation (phase 3) integrated both quantitative and qualitative methods to assess whether the program was well designed and implemented as intended and involved an examination of services, management, staffing, information systems, and case files. The key findings: 1. The SAGE Project succeeded in reducing contact with the criminal justice system of both the LIFESKILLS and GRACE groups. The GRACE group had significantly better outcomes for CSE involvement and PTSD symptomology, while the LIFESKILLS group had significantly better outcomes for sexual assault victimization, educational aspirations, self-efficacy, and employment attitude. The program made no significant impact on substance abuse, commitment to school, most measures of victimization, and social support for either group. 2. Girls and young women typically track along one of four risk-related trajectories, on the basis of whether they are a) from ‘risk saturated’ communities, b) from troubled suburban families, c) from immigrant families, or d) becoming involved proactively, without (at first) many of the overwhelming risk factors present for the other trajectories. 3. While a LIFESKILLS curriculum with a good theoretical foundation exists, fidelity to a model is lacking, and it has not been sufficiently formalized, operationalized, and documented. This report offers recommendations for improving both programs such as, eliminating population mixing, increasing staff training, matching program activities to criminogenic needs, incorporating cognitive-behavioral treatment activities, incentivizing program completion, and developing an instrument to assess the CSE risk level of each new client. Details: Bethesda, MD: Development Services Group, Inc., 2010. 371p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 28, 2011 at: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/234464.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/234464.pdf Shelf Number: 121872 Keywords: Juvenile ProstitutionProstitutesProstitutionSexual Exploitation |
Author: Farley, Melissa Title: Comparing Sex Buyers with Men Who Don’t Buy Sex: “You can have a good time with the servitude” vs. “You’re supporting a system of degradation” Summary: This study compared 101 men who buy sex with 100 men who did not buy sex. The men who participated in this study were matched in terms of age, ethnicity, and education level. Most had a wife or girlfriend at the time of the study. Sex buyers had many more sex partners in their lifetime (prostituted as well as non-prostituted) than non-sex buyers. Each interviewee participated in a structured interview that included extended queries about the men‘s history of using women in prostitution, what they looked for when they bought sex, their evaluations and perceptions of women in prostitution and pimp-prostitute relationships, awareness of coercion and trafficking, likelihood to rape, pornography use, hostile masculine identification, first use of women in prostitution, criminal history, how they discussed prostitution with their friends, deterrents to prostitution, sex education, and others. The common myth that "any man" might buy sex (i.e., that a sex buyer is a random everyman, an anonymous male who deserves the common name, john) was not supported. Sex buyers shared certain attitudes, life experiences, and behavioral tendencies that distinguish them from their non-buying peers in socially and statistically significant ways. Sex buyers engaged in significantly more criminal activity than non-sex buyers. They were far more likely than non-sex buyers to commit felonies, misdemeanors, crimes related to violence against women, substance abuse-related crimes, assaults, crimes with weapons, and crimes against authority. All of the crimes known to be associated with violence against women were reported by sex buyers; none were reported by non-sex buyers. The sex buyers and non-sex buyers differed in their self-reported likelihood to rape. Sex buyers acknowledged having committed significantly more sexually coercive acts against women (non-prostituting as well as prostituting women) than non-sex buyers. The two groups differed in their attitudes regarding prostitution as consenting sex or sexual exploitation. Sex buyers had significantly less empathy for prostituted women than did non-sex buyers. Sex buyers acknowledged fewer harmful effects of prostitution on the women in it and on the community. Non-sex buyers more often saw prostitution as harmful to both the woman herself and to the community as a whole. As in other studies of sex buyers, sex buyers expressed ambivalence, guilt and negative thinking about buying sex. They felt just as many negative feelings after buying sex as they did before. Many sex buyers sought sex that lacked emotional connection. They had little objection if the woman they purchased pretended to like them or actively disliked performing the act of prostitution. Sex buyers repeatedly commented that they liked the power relationship in prostitution and that they liked the freedom from any relationship obligation. The sex buyers masturbated to pornography more often than non-sex buyers, imitated it with partners more often, and had more often received their sex education from pornography than the non-sex buyers. Over time, as a result of their prostitution and pornography use, sex buyers reported that their sexual preferences changed such that they sought more sadomasochistic and anal sex. Significantly more of the sex buyers compared learned about sex from pornography compared to the non-sex buyers. When asked how much they agreed with the statement, "Most men go to prostitutes once in a while," we found that about half the sex buyers normalized their use of prostitution by suggesting that most men do it, whereas the non-sex buyers did not tend to make that assumption. Both sex buyers and non-sex buyers evidenced extensive knowledge of the physical and psychological harms of prostitution. Two thirds of both the sex buyers and the non-sex buyers observed that a majority of women are lured, tricked, or trafficked into prostitution. Many of the men had an awareness of the economic coercion and the lack of alternatives in women's entry into prostitution. Almost all of the sex buyers and non-sex buyers shared the opinion that minor children are almost always available for prostitution in bars, massage parlors, escort and other prostitution in Boston. The knowledge that the women have been exploited, coerced, pimped, or trafficked failed to deter sex buyers from buying sex. Many of the sex buyers had used women who were controlled by pimps at the time they used her for sex. Sex buyers in this study seemed to justify their involvement in the sex industry by stating their belief that women in prostitution are essentially different from non-prostituting women. Both sex buyers and non-sex buyers subscribed to the theory that prostitution reduces the likelihood of rape. Although half of the study‘s sample did not buy sex, many of them were tolerant of prostitution for men who did. These findings suggest that efforts to deter sex buyers should expand their focus from men who buy sex to the general public's attitudes that support prostitution. Both sex buyers and non-sex buyers agreed that the most effective deterrent to buying sex would be to be placed on a registry of sex offenders. Other effective deterrents included public exposure techniques such as having their name or photo publicized on a billboard, newspaper, or the Internet. Spending time in jail was considered an effective deterrent by 80% of sex buyers and 83% of non-sex buyers. Educational programs were considered the least effective deterrent by both groups of men. Taken together, these findings - a range of criminal activity in addition to prostitution, nonrelational sexual preference, a high number of sex partners, extensive pornography use - interact and increase the likelihood of future violence against women, according to other studies cited in this report. Our finding that the sex buyers are involved in these criminal activities suggests that sex buying should be considered in that context. State and federal laws against prostitution and trafficking should be enforced against johns. Sex buyers hold extensive information about pimps, coercion, trafficking, and the harms of prostitution to the women in it. This information is not yet fully used by law enforcement and could be useful. This study strengthens proposals that educational programs aimed at sex buyers should be implemented subsequent to sentencing, not in lieu of it. The crimes sex buyers commit suggest that existing intervention strategies for batterers and sex offenders are resources for development of interventions for arrested johns. Their crimes also justify mandatory DNA testing. Details: San Francisco: Prostitution Research & Education, 2011. 64p. Source: Internet Resource: Paper presented at Psychologists for Social Responsibility Annual Meeting July 15, 2011, Boston, MA.: Accessed September 1, 2011 at: http://www.prostitutionresearch.com/pdfs/Farleyetal2011ComparingSexBuyers.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://www.prostitutionresearch.com/pdfs/Farleyetal2011ComparingSexBuyers.pdf Shelf Number: 122579 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitution |
Author: Strom, Agnete Title: A Glimpse of 30 Years of Struggle Against Prostitution by the Women's Liberation Movement in Norway Summary: The Women's Front of Norway has worked against prostitution for 30 years. In 2008 a law criminalizing the purchase of a sexual act was passed in Norway. This article describes the struggle and the main actors in lobbying for the law. In the 1980s, we raised awareness of prostitution and trafficking in women in a study of the pornography industry, and targeted sex tourist agencies organizing trips to the Philippines and Thailand. In the 1990s, our members in trade unions got their unions to take a stand against prostitution and against legalizing prostitution as "work". In 2006, the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions Congress supported a law criminalizing the buyer of a sexual act; this had a strong impact on the centre-left coalition Government. We invited leaders of the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women to Norway to meet parliamentarians and trade unionists, and kept up the pressure. From the start, the focus was on ensuring that the situation for women in prostitution was ameliorated. Our demands have been for better social services and job training. Street prostitution, especially in Oslo, has been curbed, and a growth in the indoor market has not been reported. Our next task is participating in the awareness campaign "Buying Sex is not a Sport" in connection with the Soccer World Cup, South Africa, 2010. Details: Bergen, Norway: Kvinnefronten/Women's Front of Norway, 2011. 35p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 2, 2011 at: http://www.wunrn.com/pdf/hele_filen.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Norway URL: http://www.wunrn.com/pdf/hele_filen.pdf Shelf Number: 122622 Keywords: PornographyProstitutesProstitution (Norway)Sex TourismSex Trafficking |
Author: Wainer, Lisa Title: Understanding the Extent and Nature of Serious Sexual Violence in the London Borough of Hackney Summary: Recent increases in the levels of serious sexual violence (SSV) in the London Borough of Hackney prompted its Community Safety Partnership (CSP) to commission – with financial assistance from the Home Office – a research project to look at this crime problem in more detail. More specifically, we were tasked to find out more about the real extent and nature of these offences in the Borough, through the analysis of various data sources. The main concern was that, due to high levels of under-reporting, any information that could be gathered from police recorded data alone would be limited. This is why we combined the analysis of these data with information provided by various partner agencies, who not only gave us an insight into the type of scenarios they were dealing with (and how often these occurred – sometimes supplemented with their own recorded data) but also offered their views as to what the barriers to reporting may be. This document, the final report, summarises the findings from these analyses. First, a brief overview of the literature is provided, which aims to set the research in context and give an indication of what is already known about this crime problem and why it is often under-reported. We then describe the data sources employed in the research, within the Methodology section. After this, the findings from the analyses of, first, the police recorded crime data and, second, the interviews are presented. The last section of the report offers a set of summary and conclusions, which incorporate recommendations for policy and practice. Details: London: UCL Department of Security and Crime Science Jill Dando Institute, 2011. 72p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 11, 2011 at: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/scs/publications/downloads/hackney-march2011.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/scs/publications/downloads/hackney-march2011.pdf Shelf Number: 122745 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseProstitutesProstitutionSexual AssaultsSexual Violence (London)Violence Against Women |
Author: Goodlin, Wendi E. Title: Not Your Typical "Pretty Woman": Factors Associated with Prostitution Summary: Criminologists have long been interested in sex work, particularly prostitution. However, the research in this area has been very uneven and has produced conflicting results. The goal of the current research is to move forward in filling the gaps in our knowledge of the lives of women involved in prostitution and to better understand the factors associated with their initial involvement. Three sociological theories guide the analysis: general strain theory, control theory, and social learning theory. The major hypotheses predict that experiencing sexual abuse and exposure to delinquent peers increase the odds of prostitution whereas high levels of parental attachment and supervision decrease the odds of prostitution. These relationships are examined further using mediating and moderating variables, including running away from home, psychological distress, and drug use. The data upon which this research is based come from The Ohio Lifecourse Study (OLS), a multi-wave dataset of household and institutionalized respondents. Variables central to the analysis come from items that ask how often the respondent has been paid to have sex and a variety of other items that measure contentious family environment, sexual abuse experienced as a child, parental supervision and attachment levels, the influence of peers, their self-esteem and depression levels, and the use and abuse of drugs. Importantly, although the OLS is a highly delinquent sample, it is not a prostitute-biased sample. In addition, the OLS contains a variety of respondents, including those not involved in prostitution, prostitutes who were abused as adolescents, those who were also abused as adolescents but did are not prostitutes, and those of different races. Thus, although the sample is highly delinquent, there is much variation among respondents on key variables including abuse, supervision, running away, and drug use/abuse to name a few. Furthermore, because the OLS contains both quantitative data and qualitative life history narratives, the latter serve as an important supplement to the former and provide rich and nuanced detail not obtainable from the quantitative analyses. Binary logistic regression analyses show support for the hypothesis that higher levels of sexual abuse increase the odds of prostitution (strain theory), but this relationship is not mediated by running away as argued in previous research. On the other hand, there is little support for the hypothesis that higher levels of parental attachment decrease the odds of prostitution (social control theory); however, this could be a result of the sample being highly delinquent or the lack of variation among respondents on the parental attachment variables. In contrast, there is evidence that higher levels of supervision decrease the odds of prostitution (social control theory). In addition, there is support for the hypothesis that those with delinquent friends have higher odds of prostitution than those without delinquent friends (social learning theory). Moreover, there is support for racial and job status differences. For example, blacks have consistently and significantly higher odds of prostitution than whites and those who are unemployed or employed part-time have consistently and significantly higher odds of prostitution than those with full time jobs. Finally, with the exception of parental caring and trust, most of the moderating variables are not found to be significant. Details: Bowling Green, OH: Bowling Green State University, 2008. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed September 29, 2011 at: http://etd.ohiolink.edu/view.cgi/Goodlin%20Wendi%20Elizabeth.pdf?bgsu1225748517 Year: 2008 Country: United States URL: http://etd.ohiolink.edu/view.cgi/Goodlin%20Wendi%20Elizabeth.pdf?bgsu1225748517 Shelf Number: 122942 Keywords: Drug Addiction and AbuseProstitutesProstitutionRunawaysSex WorkersSexual Abuse |
Author: Nnabugwu-Otesanya, Bernadette Ekwutosi Title: A Comparative Study of Prostitutes in Nigeria and Botswana Summary: This study attempts to understand prostitution from their definition of the situation. It differs in its method from other studies on prostitution in that the investigation was based on the prostitutes' own perspectives as interpreted by the researcher using the interpretative epistemological tradition. A comparative analysis of prostitution in two economically stable African Countries, namely Nigeria and Botswana was made. This study investigated society's perception of prostitutes and how it impacts upon their empowerment and emancipation as vulnerable members of the society and their participation in prevention and control of sexually transmitted infection including HIV/AIDS. Also the role of governments and individuals in creating and sustaining prostitution, an extensive insight to the modus operandi of prostitution and suggestions on how best to address prostitution in society, were discussed. A triangulated methodology of three hundred and twenty five sexworkers (325) that includes a quantitative study of two hundred and five sex workers complimented with a qualitative study of one hundred and twenty sex workers participating in focus group discussion and case studies informed the study. The findings of the research suggest that in the prostitutes' own definition of the situation; prostitutes contribute to the maintenance of societal equilibrium, the society creates and sustains prostitution. Economic need rather than lack of morals creates prostitutes and their situation of vulnerability as women is being reinforced by their status as prostitutes. Violence from partners that includes the police and the inability to reprimand their clients, are some hazards of prostitution and these result in their mobility and creates a challenge in adequately addressing the issue of prostitution in society, including their limited participation in the control of STDs. Respondents in Botswana had a very good knowledge of STI's /HIV/AIDS and had no difficulties in going to hospital in the event of any STD's as compared with Nigerian respondents. The Nigerian respondents' indulged in self-medication with antibiotics and traditional herbs mixed in local gin before and after a sexual act, rather than go to hospitals. The research findings should assist the government and international community's policies and programmes aimed at addressing prostitution and STDs/HIV/AIDS. Details: Pretoria: University of South Africa (UNISA), 2005. v.p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 3, 2011 at: http://uir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/1588 Year: 2005 Country: South Africa URL: http://uir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/1588 Shelf Number: 122965 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitution (Africa) |
Author: Seib, Charrlotte Title: Health, Well-being and Sexual Violence among Female Sex Workers: A Comparative Study Summary: Prostitution has been documented in most societies, although the context in which it occurs may vary greatly. In Queensland, Australia, sex workers can operate from legal brothels or privately but all other sectors of the sex industry are prohibited. It is assumed that regulation of the sex industry through legalization leads to better health and social outcomes for sex workers and their clients. However, this assumption has rarely been subjected to empirical scrutiny. This research examined the occupational health and safety of female sex workers in Queensland and explored the relationship between legislative change, workplace violence, mental health and job satisfaction. Sex workers interviewed in 2003 (after legalisation) were compared to a prior study of this population conducted in 1991 (before official regulation of the sex industry). Further, in-depth analysis of the 2003 cohort compared sex workers employed in legal and illegal sectors, to assess violence, health status and job satisfaction. Methods: Cross-sectional, convenience sampling was used to collect data from female sex workers in 2003. This data was compared with data collected earlier (in 1991) and explored differences in the two samples using bivariate analysis. Similar recruitment strategies on both occasions were used to recruit women from all known sectors of the Queensland sex industry. The 1991 comparison sample (Boyle et al. 1997) included 200 women (aged between 16 and 46 years), and in 2003, 247 women (aged 18 to 57) participated. The 2003 sample included workers from legal brothels (n=102), private sole-operators (n=103) and illegal street-based sex workers (n=42). Using data collected in 2003, this study assessed the relationship between physical and mental health and job satisfaction and two main independent variables, i.e., current work sector and recent workplace violence. Bivariate analysis of physical health and independent variables showed no significant relationships and therefore further analysis was not undertaken. However, analysis of mental health and job satisfaction showed complex interactions between multiple variables and therefore linear modeling was performed to adjust for confounding. Results: Analysis of the 1991 and 2003 samples showed little apparent change over time in self-reported sexually transmitted infections (STIs). There were substantial changes over time in the types of sexual services being provided to clients, with the 2003 sample more likely to provide 'exotic' services. Violence experienced ever in their lifetime differed; in 1991, 29% reported having ever been raped compared with 42% in 2003 (p= <0.01). In 2003, 50% of illegal sex workers reported having ever been raped by a client compared with 12% of private sex workers and 3% of brothel-based sex workers (p=<0.01). Overall, the sex workers reported roughly equivalent job satisfaction to Australian women. A desire to leave the sex industry was most strongly correlated with reduced job satisfaction (p=<0.01). Satisfaction was also relatively low among those whose family was not aware of their sex work (p=<0.01). Similarly, the mental and physical health of this sample was comparable to age-matched women from the general population. Wanting to leave the sex industry was most strongly associated with poor mental health (p=<0.01), as was recent sexual or physical assault by a client (p=0.06) and the woman's main work sector (p=0.05). Illegal sex workers reported substantially lower mental health scores than their counterparts in legal sex work. Conclusions: Self-reported STI diagnosis was high in these samples but the prevalence appears not to have changed over time. Comparing 2003 to 1991, there were trends towards safer and more diverse sexual practices. It is likely the sex industry has 'professionalized' and now includes more sex workers providing specialist, 'exotic' services. This sample of female sex workers reported high rates of violence, with those working illegally at greatest risk. Analysis suggests a complex interaction between variables contributing to mental health and job satisfaction. In general, it appears that the majority of sex workers enjoyed at least as much job satisfaction as women working in other occupations. It also appears that this sample had equivalent mental health to women from the general population, although the sub-group of illegal workers generally had poorer health. Job satisfaction and the extent of workplace hazards (especially risk of violence) were also strongly associated with different sectors of the sex industry. It is probable that legalisation has benefited some (perhaps most) but there are health and safety concerns for those outside the legal framework. Legislative reform should focus on violence prevention, promoting reporting of violent events to police, and further exploration of the impact of legislation on the health of workers in the sex industry. Details: Brisbane: Queensland University of Technology, 2007. 254p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 25, 2011 at: http://eprints.qut.edu.au/16398/1/Charlotte_Seib_Thesis.pdf Year: 2007 Country: Australia URL: http://eprints.qut.edu.au/16398/1/Charlotte_Seib_Thesis.pdf Shelf Number: 123124 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers (Australia)Sexual Violence |
Author: Barnett, Laura Title: Prostitution in Canada: International Obligations, Federal Law, and Provincial and Municipal Jurisdiction Summary: International trafficking in women and children, sexually exploited children in Thailand, female prostitutes murdered in British Columbia: each of these issues has special significance for Canada and its prostitution laws. Canada’s laws attempt to prosecute organized crime and to protect victims of trafficking and other forms of sexual violence, whether at home or by Canadians abroad. Canada’s multifaceted approach to curbing prostitution reflects a range of domestic and international obligations. Criminal laws are implemented at the federal level to meet international treaty obligations, while each province and municipality has its own means of dealing with prostitution locally, within the powers of its jurisdiction. Although these obligations occasionally clash – as when laws stretch beyond their mandated scope or do not manage to extend far enough – the ultimate result is a fairly comprehensive legislative response to prostitution and its associated social ills. Details: Ottawa: Library of Parliment, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, 2008. 33p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 26, 2011 at: Year: 2008 Country: Canada URL: Shelf Number: 123157 Keywords: Child ProstitutionHuman TraffickingOrganized CrimeProstitutesProstitution (Canada)Sexual Exploitation |
Author: U, Nicol Title: Risky Business: Sex-work and Young Southeast Asian American Women in Oakland Summary: This paper seeks to analyze why many young Southeast Asian American women in Oakland, California, are going into sex-work. I investigate the cultural and social factors that contribute to their popularity as sex-workers, as well as examine the existing structural problems that have led them to sex-work. I also begin to illuminate how these young Southeast Asian American women understand their own reasons for going into sex-work. The number of minors entering sex-work continues to increase, globally, nationally and locally, yet past and current literature tend to overlook the unique problems that exist at the local level that are tempting young women into sex-work. Research on young women and sex-work has identified sexual abuse, drug use and homelessness as risk factors that often lead minors into sex-work, but these risk factors do not apply to the population of young SEA American women in Oakland. Through studying this population who have been in or are at risk of entering sex-work, I attempt to complicate previous arguments that victimize and/or criminalize young sex-workers, by looking at the ways in which these young Southeast Asian American women demonstrate agency within societal and structural constraints. Details: Berkeley, CA: Institute for the Study of Social Change, UC Berkeley, 2008. 37p. Source: Internet Resource: ISSC Fellows Working Papers: Accessed October 29, 2011 at: http://escholarship.org/uc/item/2jv079jh Year: 2008 Country: United States URL: http://escholarship.org/uc/item/2jv079jh Shelf Number: 123175 Keywords: Asian American WomenProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers (California) |
Author: Cunningham, Scott Title: Moonlighting: Skill Premia in Commercialized Sex Markets Summary: Prostitution is generally considered a low-skill industry; however, we demonstrate earnings returns to college education similar to those found for the labor market generally. College-educated sex workers receive little or no wage premium; however, they appear to receive important non-pecuniary returns in the form of “job amenities.” They also service more clients and provide longer client sessions, conditional on working, though they work less frequently. We show that these results are consistent with a labor supply model featuring both fixed and variable costs of supplying prostitute services, and argue that such a model may be able to reconcile the findings in the literature regarding the determinants of prostitute wages. Details: Waco, TX: Baylor University, Department of Economics, 2010. 44p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 15, 2011 at: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1583510 Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1583510 Shelf Number: 123346 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers |
Author: Cunningham, Scott Title: Prostitution 2.0: The Changing Face of Sex Work Summary: Technological change in the prostitution industry has provided a wealth of data that supply a clearer picture of this poorly‐understood activity. The use of Internet technology for solicitation by sex workers has also raised important legal and regulatory questions. We provide a description of the new institutions that facilitate prostitution online, and supply some of the first evidence on several key parameters of interest to policymakers. First, we find that workers who solicit online largely represent growth in the overall prostitution market, as opposed to simple displacement of the off‐line, street‐focused market, although we find important displacement effects among sex workers in their 30s and 40s. Using a newly‐implemented survey, we also find that most sex workers who solicit online engage in lower risk behaviors than traditional street‐based workers; however, workers close to the margin for migration from outdoor work bring riskier business and sexual practices with them as they enter the off‐street sector. Details: Waco, TX: Department of Economics, Baylor University, 57p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 15, 2011 at: http://www.toddkendall.net/Pros20_Final.pdf Year: 0 Country: United States URL: http://www.toddkendall.net/Pros20_Final.pdf Shelf Number: 123347 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers |
Author: Jahnsen, Synnove Okland Title: Women Who Cross Borders – Black Magic? A Critical Discourse Analysis of the Norwegian newspaper coverage Summary: In some of Norway’s biggest cities; Oslo, Bergen and Stavanger there has been reported an increased number of foreign women in prostitution (Pro Senteret 2006). The increase of foreign women in prostitution has led to changes within the local prostitution scene, due to the fact that women who support their drug abuse by prostitution has left the market or become less visible. It has also led to changes in the public discussion of prostitution. The media repeatedly describe the phenomenon by using words such as “explosions”, “invasions” and “floods” of “foreign prostitutes” or “foreign whores” who are controlled by “foreign criminals” and mafia-like organisations, something which escalated into a “whore-war”. It has especially been the Nigerian group of women who have received massive media attention, as media could report an increase from two Nigerian women in 2003, to approximately four hundred by 2006. Nigerian women were described as more visible, not only because of their ethnicity, but also because they behaved different than other groups of women. The public outcry especially escalated when the prostitution scene became an increasingly visible element in Oslo’s parade street Karl Johan. Nigerian women in prostitution, were in the public eye presented, in every way possible, as being a “matter out of place” (Douglas 1996), and as doing the wrong things at the wrong places. Details: Bergen, Norway: University of Bergen, Department of Sociology, 2007. 120p. Source: Internet Resource: Master's Thesis: Accessed November 15, 2011 at: https://bora.uib.no/handle/1956/2390 Year: 2007 Country: Norway URL: https://bora.uib.no/handle/1956/2390 Shelf Number: 123355 Keywords: MediaNewspapersProstitutesProstitution (Norway)Sex Workers |
Author: Husum, Alan R. Title: Prostitution and Trafficking: Trying to Understand Why Some Women Choose to Return to Prostitution Summary: This project aims to describe and unravel the complexities within prostitution and trafficking, paying special attention to the women who are re-trafficked and the reasons why. In doing so the report discusses various psychological, existential and cultural relations to women who are or have been trafficked, and the repercussions these have in the aftermath. Employing two vignettes as real life examples the project determines the most important factors, when helping trafficked victims who face the possibility of getting re-trafficked. Details: Roskilde, Denmark: Roskilde University, 2009(?). 76p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 22, 2011 at: http://rudar.ruc.dk/handle/1800/3157 Year: 2009 Country: Denmark URL: http://rudar.ruc.dk/handle/1800/3157 Shelf Number: 123417 Keywords: Human TraffickingProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers |
Author: Waltman, Max Title: Prohibiting Purchase of Sex in Sweden: Impact, Obstacles, Potential, and Supporting Escape Summary: This paper analyzes the core reasons for the Swedish law from 1999 which criminalizes purchase of sex and decriminalizes the prostituted person, passed as part of an omnibus bill against violence against women and recognizing prostitution as a form of it. Further, it documents the law’s impact by comparing data from several recent Swedish studies with the situation in other relevant countries, concluding the law has significantly reduced the occurrence of prostitution manifolds compared to its neighboring countries. Crucial obstacles to effective implementation are also addressed, particularly in present case law. Some of the critique against the law and disinformation about the law’s effects are also commented. Finally, to realize its full potential to support escape from prostitution more efficiently, it is argued that the civil rights of prostituted persons under current law should be strengthened to get damages paid for directly by the tricks/johns for the harm they have contributed to. An additional consideration is for individual states to extend the use of the Palermo Protocol (international law acknowledging connections between prostitution and sex trafficking) to charge tricks for trafficking when they “receive” persons who are effectively pimped. Details: Stockholm: Stockholm University, Department of Political Science, 2010. 41p. Source: Internet Resource: Working Papers 2010:3; Accessed January 10, 2012 at: Year: 2010 Country: Sweden URL: Shelf Number: 123537 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitution (Sweden)Sex Workers |
Author: Lainez, Nicolas Title: A Foot In and a Foot Out: Sex Migration of Vietnamese Women to Singapore Summary: This study is the third in a series of three, the objective of which is to understand international mobility undertaken for the purposes of commercial sex purposes by low-skilled women from the Mekong Delta. In particular, this research addresses the migration of Vietnamese migrant entertainers to Singapore. This report is based on a five-month ethnographic investigation conducted in a boarding house of Vietnamese migrant entertainers in Singapore. It provides a unique picture of the social organization of the migration network operating between Vietnam and Singapore, and of the transient lives of Vietnamese entertainers in Singapore. The influx of migrant entertainers increased in Singapore in the early 1980s. The regional exchange network now includes women originating from all of the Southeast Asian countries. This includes Vietnamese, who appear to be a minority compared to other nationalities such as Filipina, Chinese, Indonesian and Thai. Singaporean authorities are undoubtedly concerned about the changing composition of the foreign entertainer population, and this is a contentious and sensitive issue in Singapore. At the same time, the authorities are concerned about enforcing the law on prostitution. The legislation does not criminalize the act per se. Rather, it enforces neutralization and containment in the Designated Red-Light Areas, as well as monitoring of the sex industry to keep exploitation and the spread of STDs and HIV/AIDS in check. Two-thirds of the Vietnamese migrant entertainers of the study were between 20 and 30 years old. A profile emerged in which slightly more than half originated from HCMC, and were lowly educated and unskilled. Family dissolution was an important feature, as nine women out of 16 were separated from their partners and four came to Singapore following a separation. These factors pushed half of the sampled migrant entertainers into prostitution in Vietnam before they decided to migrate. Their objective in coming to Singapore was to earn a substantial amount of money. Indeed, the expectation of high earnings was the chief pull factor due to the general assumption that Singapore is a rich “El Dorado” where foreign migrant entertainers can generate earnings of at least S$ 1000 (US$ 816) per month. This was a misconception on their part as many returned to Vietnam with less than that or empty pockets. In addition, a substantial part of the earnings – between US$ 1057 and US$ 1482 – was also used to cover travel and living expenses. The recruitment process of Vietnamese migrant entertainers reveals a complex network of exchange that links the Vietnamese operators within Singapore with the migrant entertainers in Vietnam. This informal and clientelist network is composed of migration brokers and their long-standing customers who introduce and assist new customers in the transnational movement between Vietnam and Singapore. The brokers are able to expand their customer base by incorporating the networks of their previous customers, who in turn become peers of the new recruits. The network appears to be a well-organized and non-exploitative voluntary exchange system. It functions effectively because of the symbiotic relationship between the migration brokers and the migrant entertainers. One of the key findings of this research is that trafficking for sexual exploitation of Vietnamese sampled women and minors to Singapore is irrelevant. As described in the report, three factors created transience in the life of the entertainers. Firstly, all entertainers entered Singapore on 30-day Social Visit Passes. This scheme does not allow foreign visitors to engage in any form of employment, including prostitution. Officials from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) routinely refuse entry and expel Vietnamese female travelers suspected of coming to Singapore to work in the prostitution industry. Vietnamese migrant entertainers typically rely on professional migration brokers who provide services to enable their customers to slip through the net of the ICA. Secondly, after the expiry of their 30-day Social Visit Pass, the migrant entertainers of the study faced two options: they could either return to Vietnam or extend their stay in Singapore. The majority sought to avoid raising the suspicions of the immigration authorities and returned home for a few months, before coming back to Singapore. Those wishing to extend their stay had several methods at their disposal: extending the social visit pass, exiting and returning to Singapore to obtain a new social visit pass, acquiring a Performing Artist Work Permit, or getting genuinely or fraudulently married to a Singaporean citizen or permanent resident. The decision to extend the stay depended on personal motivations and financial resources, as well as on the availability of services provided by the Vietnamese migration broker and Singaporean sponsors. Lastly, the Anti-Vice Enforcement Unit (AVEU) relies on raids and on deportations as key mechanisms to control foreign prostitution in Singapore. Red light areas like Geylang, Joo Chiat and Orchard Towers are regularly raided, and arrested entertainers are deported to their home country at their own expense. As a consequence of these three factors, the Vietnamese migrant entertainers of the study were constantly straddling Singapore and Vietnam. They were only allowed to stay in Singapore for 30 days at any one time and upon the expiry of the pass, they would return to Vietnam, with the intention of returning at another time. Consequently, while living in Singapore, they were either looking for ways to extend their stay, or thinking about their return to Vietnam. This was pervasive: upon arrival, they were already thinking about the return trip, and vice-versa. They lived lives of transience and evanescence. In fact, even when they were physically in one space, they were mentally in the other. Details: Ho Chi Minh City: Alliance Anti-Trafic, 2011. 75p. Source: Internet Resource: Research Report No. 3: Accessed January 10, 2012 at: http://www.childtrafficking.com/Docs/lainez_nicolas_footout_0112.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Asia URL: http://www.childtrafficking.com/Docs/lainez_nicolas_footout_0112.pdf Shelf Number: 123542 Keywords: Human TraffickingProstitutesProstitutionSex TourismSexual Exploitation |
Author: Gillings, Alison Title: An Investigation Into 'John's Schools' Summary: Historically, law enforcement agencies have focused on controlling prostitution by arresting and charging prostituted women. This method of dealing with prostitution is increasingly viewed as ineffective for several reasons: recidivism rates remain high for those selling sex; there is a greater acknowledgement of victimization experienced by those in prostitution; the arrested individual is typically charged a fine they cannot pay which often leads them back into prostitution; and arresting prostituted individuals does not address the underlying issue of the reasons why prostitution exists. In the mid-1990s, the “john” school concept was developed in an attempt to address prostitution by focusing on the demand for commercial sex. Research conducted by Monto (1998) suggests that men who purchase sex are not necessarily malicious, but often just unaware of the risks and societal implications. While a variety of “john” schools exist, each program is built on a similar fundamental model. In counties where “john” schools are offered, the offender may be given the opportunity to participate in a class (i.e. “john” school) as a diversion program or part of a criminal sentence. “John” schools educate men about the risks associated with prostitution and aim to deter men from purchasing commercial sex in the future. This report describes various “john” schools and details research on the efficacy of such programs. Details: Chicago: Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation, 2010. 42p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 13, 2012 at: http://g.virbcdn.com/_f/files/2f/FileItem-149841-Johnsschoolreport.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://g.virbcdn.com/_f/files/2f/FileItem-149841-Johnsschoolreport.pdf Shelf Number: 124122 Keywords: Commercial SexProstitutesProstitutionSex Work |
Author: Shukla, Rakesh Title: Sex Work and Laws in South Asia: A Monograph Summary: The law with regard to sex work remains among the most ambiguous pieces of legislation in South Asia. Activists working for the empowerment of sex workers or in HIV/AIDS prevention programs in the region remain unclear about even the basics of prevalent laws with regard to prostitution and trafficking. India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar share a common colonial past and retain penal codes framed by the British in 1860. Thus we find common or similar statutes with regard to issues like public decency, obscenity, morality, public health (often used against sex workers) and selling or buying for purposes of prostitution. We also find sections like 377 of the Indian Penal Code and Pakistan Penal Code categorizing homosexual acts as an offence. Many laws limit the definition of trafficking to only those acts involving prostitution. This focus dates back to the United Nations Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others in 1949. The SAARC Convention on Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Women and Children signed in 2002 continues the sole focus of prostitution as the end point of trafficking. The definition of trafficking clearly confines it to the moving, buying or selling of women and children for prostitution. Similarly the category of “persons subjected to trafficking” is restricted to women and children victimized or forced into prostitution through deception, threats, coercion, kidnapping or other unlawful means. This exclusive focus does not address the issue of persons trafficked for other purposes like forced or bonded labour. On the other hand by conflating trafficking and sex work/prostitution it derails all discussion about trafficking through fraud, deceit and coercion into a debate over prostitution – de-criminalization, regulation and abolition. This monograph attempts to demystify and explain the content of the prevalent laws in the region which are relevant to activists and practitioners working in the field. The available legislations and case law have been analyzed from the point of view of the issues of conflation of trafficking and sex work, right of sex workers to live in liberty and dignity, the right to move freely, the right to reside in a place of choice, the right to migrate, forced and voluntary sex work, entry of minors, rescue and rehabilitation. The material available is uneven in respect to the countries in the region and this in turn is reflected in the document. Thus most material was available with regard to India and Sri Lanka, then Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan and the least for Myanmar, which has not been included due to our limitation in obtaining English translations of documents in Burmese. While the monograph does give unequal space to the various countries of the region, however, this is not indicative of bias but of the constraint of the availability of material. Details: Maharashta, India: Sampada Gramin Mahila Sanstha (SANGRAM), 2010. 82p. Source: Internet Resource: Monograph Series 4: Accessed April 4, 2012 at: http://sangram.org/Download/Laws_in_south_asia.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Asia URL: http://sangram.org/Download/Laws_in_south_asia.pdf Shelf Number: 124816 Keywords: Child ProstitutionProstitutesProstitution (Asia)Sex TraffickingSex Workers |
Author: Rao, Sandhya Title: Who Stole the Tarts? Sex Work and Human Rights Summary: The title of this monograph and all the chapter headings are drawn from Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Besides the allusion to tarts, the pejorative term for sex workers, the farcical fantasy of Alice’s adventures in the mythical Wonderland seems an apt reference to the unfamiliarity of the terrain, and Alice’s experiences echo much of our experiences in writing this paper. Coming as we do from decades of work using the human rights framework, it is indeed difficult for us to critique it. But we see the need to revisit this framework and do a reality check as to where it has succeeded and where it has failed. The successes are well documented and therefore we choose to dwell on areas where it has not delivered as promised. We claim that the human rights framework is a necessary but not a sufficient condition to address the problems faced by some populations, in particular the sex workers. We do not claim that it has failed entirely here either. However, there is a need to take into account the issues highlighted in this monograph. In addition the title reflects some of the absurd ways human rights are constructed and applied to sex workers. The attitudes of morality that surround sex work are mirrored in much of the tale. From ground experience, the human rights framework, in the context of sex work seems to be as farcical as the trial in Alice in Wonderland. Human rights, their violations, and lack of access to the universal justice that it purports to offer, and indeed the framework itself, is the focus of this paper. How does it work with sex workers? Through a literature survey and by talking to sex workers in unstructured interviews, this paper critically engages with the dilemma that human rights presents to those in sex work. The paper attempts to inspire a lively discussion on this topic rather than provide answers. Details: Maharashta, India: Sampada Gramin Mahila Sanstha (SANGRAM), 2009. 38p. Source: Internet Resource: Monograph Series 4: Accessed April 4, 2012 at: http://sangram.org/Download/D1.pdf Year: 2009 Country: Asia URL: http://sangram.org/Download/D1.pdf Shelf Number: 124817 Keywords: Human RightsProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers (Asia) |
Author: Center for Advocacy on Stigma and Marginalization (CASAM) Title: Beyond Vice and Victimhood: Content Analysis of Media Coverage on the Issues of Sex Workers Summary: This monograph is an attempt to examine the representation of sex workers and presentation of issues related to sex work and sex workers in the English print media through a micro-study of 1059 English-language newspaper/periodical clippings from a little over a decade starting in 1990. It comprises three in-depth analyses based on the extent of, the trends surrounding, and the nature of coverage of sex workers and their issues. The study explores the nature of presentation as well as representation and patterns over the years with reference to sex workers in print media in general and the English-language press in particular. The aim of the study was to examine media coverage of sex work to seek some clarity on the amount, extent, quality, and depth of this coverage and work towards improving the reportage on sex workers’ issues in print media. The clippings were obtained from Aalochana, a Pune-based women’s research and documentation centre. Details: Sangli, Maharashta, India: Sampada Gramin Mahila Sanstha (SANGRAM), 2008. 36p. Source: Internet Resource: Monograph Series 1: Accessed April 4, 2012 at: http://sangram.org/Download/D2.pdf Year: 2008 Country: India URL: http://sangram.org/Download/D2.pdf Shelf Number: 124818 Keywords: MediaNewspapersProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers (India) |
Author: Kaur, Manpavan Title: 'Recognising the Economic Relationship between Sex Workers and Sex Businesses Summary: This NTS Alert discusses the economic relationship between sex workers and sex businesses in Southeast Asia in order to critically examine hitherto narrow interpretations which posit an integral link between sex work and sex trafficking. Economic motivations of the sex industry can induce the voluntary entry of sex workers into the industry. This undermines the presumption that all sex workers are ‘victims ’ of trafficking. Hence, this NTS Alert highlights the importance of broadening the interpretation of sex work if the exploitation experienced by sex workers in Southeast Asia is to be adequately addressed. Details: Singapore: RSIS Centre for Non-Traditional Security (NTS) Studies for NTS-Asia, 2011. 9p. Source: Internet Resource: NTS Alert May 2011 (Issue 1): Accessed April 6, 2012 at: http://www.rsis.edu.sg/nts/HTML-Newsletter/alert/NTS-alert-may-1101.html Year: 2011 Country: Asia URL: http://www.rsis.edu.sg/nts/HTML-Newsletter/alert/NTS-alert-may-1101.html Shelf Number: 124858 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitutionSex TraffickingSex Workers (Asia) |
Author: Wilcox, Aidan Title: Tackling the Demand for Prostitution: A Rapid Evidence Assessment of the Published Research Literature Summary: Researchers from the University of Huddersfield were commissioned to conduct a Rapid Evidence Assessment (REA) of the published research literature in a selected number of countries, including the United Kingdom (UK) to answer specific questions about the characteristics of the people who procure sex, the context and setting for procuring sex, the related reasons, drivers and motivations and what has been tried elsewhere to deter or hinder those who procure sex and what works in tackling demand for prostitution. Details: London: Home Office, 2009. 56p. Source: Internet Resource: Home Office Research Report 27: Accessed April 11, 2012 at: http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100113210150/http:/crimereduction.homeoffice.gov.uk/crimereduction052.htm Year: 2009 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100113210150/http:/crimereduction.homeoffice.gov.uk/crimereduction052.htm Shelf Number: 124930 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitution (U.K.)Sex Work |
Author: Kelly, Liz Title: Shifting Sands: A Comparison of Prostitution Regimes Across Nine Countries Summary: This study was commissioned by the Home Office as part of Tackling Demand for Prostitution Review (Home Office, 2008), to update a report undertaken in 2003 for Glasgow City Council (Bindel and Kelly, 2004). The original project examined legal and policy responses to prostitution in four countries. Here that is extended to nine with an enhanced methodology In this introductory section we set out the context and the conceptual framework for the study. Whilst there is widespread agreement across the UK that the current legal framework is problematic, there is no consensus with respect to the available options. As we noted in the first study, prostitution has proved to be a complex issue for politicians and policy makers, within contexts of changing local and international conditions. Some argue that it is possible to trace regulation of prostitution back to the classical age (Hubbard et al, 2008), but it is in the modern period that we find the roots of current debates. From the mid-nineteenth century to the late twentieth century there were two broad positions: the ‘abolitionist’ – seeking to abolish the institution of prostitution - and the ‘regulatory’ – which reluctantly accepts the inevitability of prostitution and the responsibility of the state to regulate it. More recently other possibilities have entered the arena: legalisation and de-criminalisation, both of which seek, in different ways, to bring prostitution into the mainstream of social and economic policy. Most policy analysis draws on some variant (and there are many) of these typologies, not helped by occasional contrary re-workings in which conventional definitions of, for example, abolitionism, are inverted. Most importantly for us the use of typologies as a shorthand has precluded the careful explication of precisely what activities, and/or individuals, and/or locations are criminalised, regulated, or normalised and in what ways. Our first point of departure is that existing typologies are not only inadequate, but frequently misleading. In reality most countries work with amalgams of at least two approaches – with few, if any, making prostitution in all contexts legal, and law and policy targeting aspects that are considered harmful – at minimum prostitution of minors and trafficking. Moreover, national frameworks are administered at local levels, leading to considerable variations in the extent, locations and regulation of sex markets within, not just between, countries. To reflect these complexities throughout this report we refer to ‘prostitution regimes’. We originally used this concept in the first study, it has simultaneously been developed by others including Joyce Outshoorn who defines it as: ‘laws and practices that shape prostitution… in distinctive ways’. Laws and practices are insufficient however, since, as following chapters will illustrate, historical contexts, political and philosophical underpinnings and existing evidence bases are all critical in shaping approaches. It is the combination of these five elements which comprise prostitution regimes in our thinking. To explore the political and philosophical underpinnings in a little more detail, one can frame prostitution through a range of concepts. At minimum it can be addressed as an issue rooted in: morality; heath; social problems; gender orders; human rights; law and order (including national security); migration; labour/employment; capitalism and globalisation. Within each of these framings particular understandings of risk, safety, violence and social (dis)order can be mobilised. Whilst specific frames can be used by governments of very different hues, and organisations with markedly different policy goals, certain framings lead towards or away from some policy options and determine which Ministries will have the leading policy implementation role. Details: London: Child & Woman Abuse Studies Unit, London Metropolitan University, 2009. 102p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 11, 2012 at: http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100113210150/http://crimereduction.homeoffice.gov.uk/crimereduction052a.pdf Year: 2009 Country: International URL: http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100113210150/http://crimereduction.homeoffice.gov.uk/crimereduction052a.pdf Shelf Number: 124931 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers |
Author: Ham, Julie Title: Moving Beyond 'Supply and Demand' Catchphrases: Assessing the Uses and Limitations of Demand-Based Approaches in Anti-Trafficking Summary: In the anti-trafficking sector, the concept of ‘demand’ typically refers to consumers’, employers’ and clients’ demands for services provided by or products produced by trafficked labour. Although ‘demand’ is widely mentioned in the anti-trafficking literature (see page 16, What do stakeholders usually say about demand?), most references to ‘demand’ don’t go beyond brief statements about: • Needing more research on ‘demand’; • Raising awareness to reduce demand; • Demand as a root cause of trafficking; and • Reducing demand as a trafficking prevention measure. Generally, two different demand-based approaches are discussed as anti-trafficking strategies: (1) calling for the elimination of the sex work sector, and (2) reducing the demand that enables exploitation in various sectors where trafficking occurs. ‘End demand for prostitution’ approaches have been most heavily promoted by prostitution abolitionists, who claim that penalising sex workers’ clients will help fight trafficking. Sex workers rights groups and some antitrafficking organisations (including GAATW) have strongly opposed criminal penalties against clients as this approach: • Has not reduced trafficking or sex work; • Threatens sex workers’ income security and working conditions, such as by increasing competition amongst sex workers, and increasing the vulnerability of sex workers who must negotiate with nervous and scared clients (i.e. less time for workers to determine whether a potential client is safe or not); • Has not stopped violent or abusive clients who are more experienced at evading law enforcement, but has ended up impacting less experienced clients and ‘good’ clients; • Dismisses and silences the concerns, priorities and knowledge of sex workers; • Muddles anti-trafficking efforts by confusing trafficking with sex work; • Increases police’s power over sex workers; and • Increases stigma against women in sex work. Sex workers’ rights groups and anti-trafficking allies have tried to shift the concept of ‘demand’ in a more rights-based direction by: trying to reduce the demand for unprotected paid sex (e.g. by empowering sex workers to demand condom use), reducing the demand for exploitative labour practices within the sex work sector, and increasing awareness among ‘demand’ or clients about treating sex workers respectfully and ethically. Many sex workers rights organisations also advocate for decriminalising consensual sex work while retaining existing criminal penalties against violence in sex work. They and their allies argue that decriminalisation of consensual sex work would: • Help prevent the misuse of anti-trafficking laws to punish women in sex work; • Impact the ‘demand’ for commercial sex by increasing women’s power to manage or negotiate working conditions with clients; • Assist anti-trafficking efforts by fostering cooperation between police and sex workers; • Reduce police violence against sex workers by changing the amount of power police yield over sex workers; and • Allow sex workers to report violence and exploitation to the police without fear of arrest. Another anti-trafficking approach to demand focuses on tackling the demand for exploitative labour practices, in any sector where trafficking can occur. In the sex work sector, re-framing demand-based efforts to reducing the demand for exploitative labour practices in sex work may provide a more productive, rights-based approach than the ‘end demand for prostitution’ approaches currently touted by prostitution abolitionists. The demand for exploitative labour practices (including, but not limited to the sex work sector) generally refers to labour that is: • Low cost - including non-payment or underpayment; • Easy to control - including keeping workers from leaving abusive situations; and • Unprotected - social attitudes that normalise or justify exploitation and discrimination, unregulated labour. The demand for low cost, controllable and unprotected labour can stem from globalised economic processes demanding increasingly flexible labour, and discrimination that can normalise or justify exploitation. Although migrant labour isn’t inherently exploitable, social and political processes can change migrant labour into labour that can be exploited. Migrant labour becomes cheap, controllable and unprotected when: • Labour market demands are undermined by immigration policies; • Migrant workers are labelled or constructed as ‘illegal’; and when • Discrimination against migrants is normalised or justified. Strategies to reduce the demand for exploitative labour practices include: • Creating legal migration channels for working-class migrant workers; • Ensuring coherence between immigration and labour policies; • Decriminalising migration and protecting migrants’ rights; • Enforcing labour standards and improving working conditions; • Reducing discrimination against migrants; • Raising awareness among investors and consumers on how they can help reduce demand. The usefulness of current ‘demand’-based approaches in anti-trafficking may be limited because: • The main focus on clients and consumers can mask significant structural factors that need to be addressed, including poverty and restrictive immigration measures; • Simplistic economic analogies of ‘supply and demand’ may not help to clarify complex social issues, such as trafficking; • Demand-based approaches fail to acknowledge migrants’ and workers’ own demands, motivations, aspirations, resistance strategies and recommendations; and • People talk about ‘demand’ and ‘supply’ as if they’re not connected. Efforts to reduce the demand for exploitative labour practices may be more effective if stakeholders: • Recognise the different ways supply and demand can shape each other, e.g. a large supply of cheap labour can increase the demand for domestic workers; • Focus efforts on reducing the ability of employers to demand vulnerable, exploitable labor, in any sector, not just the sex work industry; • Listen to the ‘supply’s (i.e. workers’) demands, such as the demand for safe migration opportunities, and the demand for safe working conditions. It could well be that problems about ‘demand’ would be best met with ‘supply’-side solutions (i.e. strengthening workers’ rights). For example, how do domestic workers’ organising efforts and labour protections change the expectations and behaviour of employers? Details: Bangkok, Thailand: Global Alliance Against Traffic in Women, 2011. 98p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 19, 2012 at: http://www.gaatw.org/publications/MovingBeyond_SupplyandDemand_GAATW2011.pdf Year: 2011 Country: International URL: http://www.gaatw.org/publications/MovingBeyond_SupplyandDemand_GAATW2011.pdf Shelf Number: 125023 Keywords: Forced LaborHuman TraffickingProstitutesProstitutionSex WorkersSexual Exploitation |
Author: Cunningham, Scott Title: Men-in-Transit and Prostitution: Using Political Conventions as a Natural Experiment Summary: Approximately 100,000 visitors came to Denver, Colorado and Minneapolis, Minnesota to attend the 2008 Democratic and Republican National Conventions. Economic theory suggests that men in transit can cause a shift in demand for commercial sex work. We estimate the responsiveness of labor supply to these two conventions, focusing on a previously neglected but increasingly important segment of the prostitution market: indoor sex workers who advertise on the Internet. Using a differences‐in‐differences estimator, we find that the conventions caused a roughly 30% increase in advertisements on the larger of two advertisement sites in the affected markets. Given the key role prostitution plays in the transmission of STIs, these results imply a focus of public health resources on men in transit. Details: Unpublished paper, 2011. 34p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 22, 2012 at: http://www.toddkendall.net/Men_In_Transit_012511.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://www.toddkendall.net/Men_In_Transit_012511.pdf Shelf Number: 125264 Keywords: AdvertismentsInternetProstitutesProstitutionSex Work |
Author: Islam, Asadul Title: The Economic Returns to Good Looks and Risky Sex in the Bangladesh Commercial Sex Market Summary: This study examines the economic returns to beauty and unprotected sex in the commercial sex market in Bangladesh. The results show that there is a beauty premium for commercial sex work, but it is within the bounds of the economic returns to beauty for women in occupations that do not involve sex work. We find that there is an earnings premium for sex workers who sell unprotected sex and that more attractive sex workers charge a higher premium for unprotected sex. This result is consistent with either attractive sex workers having more bargaining/negotiating power or attractiveness and risky sex being complements for males in the presence of attractive women. The results are robust to a number of empirical specifications including controls for sex workers‟ disposition, client characteristics and a number of fixed effects to control for other attributes of sex workers and their clients. Details: Working Paper, Monash University, 2010. 40p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 22, 2012 at: http://www.business.uwa.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/1655447/Asad_Russell.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Bangladesh URL: http://www.business.uwa.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/1655447/Asad_Russell.pdf Shelf Number: 125266 Keywords: Physical AttractivenessProstitutesProstitution (Bangladesh)Sex Workers |
Author: Edlund, Lena Title: The Wages of Sin Summary: Edlund and Korn [2002] (EK) proposed that prostitutes are well paid and that the wage premium reflects foregone marriage market opportunities. However, studies of street prostitution in the U.S. have revealed only modest wages and considerable risks of disease and violence, casting doubt on EK’s premise of an unexplained wage premium. In this paper, we present evidence from high-end prostitution, the so called escort market, a market that is, if not entirely safe, notably safer than street prostitution. Analyzing wage information on more than 40,000 escorts in the U.S. and Canada collected from a web site, we find strong support for EK. First, escorts in the sample earn high wages, on average $280/hour. Second, while looks decline monotonically with age, wages follow a hump-shaped pattern, with a peak in the 26-30 age bracket, which coincides with the most intensive marriage ages for women in the U.S. Third, the age-wage profile is significantly flatter, and prices are lower (5%), despite slightly better escort characteristics, in cities that rank high in terms of conferences, suggesting that servicing men in transit is associated with less stigma. Fourth, this hump in the age-wage profile is absent among escorts for whom the marriage market penalty is lower or absent: escorts who do not provide sex and transsexuals. Details: New York: Columbia University, Department of Economics, 2009. 29p. Source: Internet Resource: Department of Economics Discussion Paper No. 0809-16: Accessed May 22, 2012 at: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1413899 Year: 2009 Country: United States URL: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1413899 Shelf Number: 125268 Keywords: Economics of ProstitutionEscort ServicesProstitutesProstitution (U.S.) |
Author: Levonkron, Nomi Title: The Legalization of Prostitution: Myth and Reality. A Comparative Study of Four Countries Summary: During the course of almost any discussion on the subject of prostitution and trafficking in women, one or more of those involved argues that the solution is to legalize prostitution. Those who support this approach claim that legalization will enable criminal elements to be identified and removed from the sex industry; will protect women’s rights; and will prevent a public nuisance. It is also claimed that the state will benefit from the taxation of the sex industry. Since a number of countries have gained practical experience in the legalization of prostitution, public debate on this question in Israel should be informed by this experience. As our study shows, the “legalization of prostitution” should not be seen as a homogenous concept. Different countries have introduced widely divergent arrangements or systems of legalization reflecting diverse approaches to prostitution. After presenting the principal features of the debate on the approach to be taken to prostitution and its institutionalization, we shall review the situation in Israel. Thereafter, we shall examine the arrangements for legalization as introduced in four countries, focusing on a number of aspects: The factors leading the country to legalize prostitution; the nature of the institutionalizing legislation; and the ways in which the process of legalization influenced all those involved – the victims of human trafficking and women engaged in prostitution, pimps and traders, and the position of state, particularly in economic terms. Lastly, we shall examine the ramifications of our study for Israel. Should the current policy be left intact or should it be changed; and if so – how? Can the legalization of prostitution provide a solution for the situation in Israel? The present study is unique in terms of the diversity of the sources on which it is based. In additional to theoretical literature, empirical and updated information that was collected from reports issued by governmental authorities and NGOs in the Netherlands, Germany, Australia, and the state of Nevada in the USA. The comparison between these different countries aimed to enable a thorough examination of the systems introduced to legalize prostitution in their local economic, political, and sociocultural contexts. The Netherlands and Germany are two adjacent nations; both are members of the European Union and both have a similar basic profile. This selection was balanced with countries from other continents with sharply different conditions, as reflected in the distinct systems they have adopted for the legalization of prostitution. The information collected for the study reflects a broad range of ideological positions on the subject of prostitution, from those who view it as a form of exploitation and humiliation of women to those who see prostitution as just another job. In each of the countries examined we contacted experts and relevant public bodies – the police, the prosecution service, the Special Rapporteur on trafficking in women, and human rights organizations that assist the victims of trafficking, as well as organizations that help women in the sex industry to claim their rights. We sent identical questionnaires to these sources in order to examine all aspects of the process of institutionalization. In addition to the abovementioned sources, the study is also based on the responses received from fifteen experts and organizations. Details: Tel Aviv: Hotline for Migrant Workers, 2007p. 103p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 23, 2012 at: http://hotline.org.il/english/pdf/The_Legalization_Of_Prostitution_English.pdf Year: 2007 Country: International URL: http://hotline.org.il/english/pdf/The_Legalization_Of_Prostitution_English.pdf Shelf Number: 125290 Keywords: Human TraffickingProstitutesProstitution, Legalization (Israel)Sex IndustrySex WorkersSexual Exploitation |
Author: Dutta, Debolina Title: Count Me IN! Research Report on Violence Against Disabled, Lesbian, and Sex-working Women in Bangladesh, India, and Nepal Summary: The count me IN! Research Report on Violence Against Disabled, Lesbian, and Sex-working Women in Bangladesh, India, and Nepal is based on the first ever multi-country research study on violence faced by disabled women, lesbian women, and female sex workers (FSWs) in three countries in South Asia—Bangladesh, India, and Nepal. CREA conducted the research study in partnership with University College London (UCL); James P Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, Bangladesh; Society for Nutrition, Education, and Health Action (SNEHA), India; and Centre for Research on Environment Health and Population Activities (CREHPA), Nepal. This report collates the findings and recommendations that emerged from the three country studies carried out by the research partners, under the aegis of CREA and UCL. Although significant strides have been made towards gender equality and women’s empowerment in many parts of the world, violence against women (VAW) continues to be a pressing issue for the South Asian agenda. Violence against women who are marginalised on the basis of sexuality or gender expression is particularly high. Yet, it remains under-reported and under-addressed because of the stigma and discrimination associated with them. The study investigated the hypothesis that women who are outside the mainstream of the South Asian society suffer higher rates of violence and are often unable to seek and receive protection from State agencies. Women who are outside the mainstream on account of, for example, their sexuality (women who have sex with women), their occupation (women who sell sex), their age (women who are young and never married), or their physical or mental ability to assert themselves (women with physical or mental disability) are at an increased risk of violence. They are systematically restricted in their access to resources and are unable to fully participate in society. A global literature review of various peer-reviewed research studies, focusing on disabled women, lesbian women, and FSWs, revealed that the overwhelming majority of these were conducted in North America. Only one of the identified studies was undertaken among the FSWs in Dhaka, Bangladesh. This highlights the existence of gaps in the evidence about or from South Asia. This report is a first step towards filling in some of these gaps in research by looking at the intersections of marginalisation, gender, and violence against women (VAW) in South Asia. The fundamental rationale behind the research study was to foreground the voices of these three groups of marginalised women. The study aimed at making their concerns, experiences, and struggles central to the ways in which VAW is understood, and laws and policies are shaped. Details: New Delhi, India: CREA, 2012. 178p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 27, 2012 at: http://ilga.org/ilga/static/uploads/files/2012/5/8/08223438.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Asia URL: http://ilga.org/ilga/static/uploads/files/2012/5/8/08223438.pdf Shelf Number: 125411 Keywords: Bias-Motivated CrimesDisabilityDiscriminationGays, Lesbians and Bisexuals, Crime AgainstGender-Based ViolenceProstitutesSex WorkersViolence Against Women (Asia) |
Author: Morgan, Katherine Ann Title: Domestic Human Trafficking, Pimping, and Prostitution Enforcement in San Diego: A Policy Analysis and Case Study Summary: This research aimed to understand the scope, dynamics, and characteristics of domestic human sex trafficking in San Diego County. The methodology included a content analysis of 17 pimping case investigations, 12 face-to-face interviews with experts in the field, and an examination of the county's current policy and programming responses to these issues. The results of this study are limited due the small sample and lack of direct contact with pimps or prostitutes. This study found that the extent of pimping in San Diego County is greater than previous research indicated. Respondents who work in the field also noted that the rate of gang-related pimping appears to have significantly increased over the past five years and rival gangs are believed to share information and resources to maximize profits resulting from the sexual exploitation of young women. Additionally, major gaps in victim services were noted, such as lack of beds in safe houses, minimal 24- hour emergency services, and scant availability of programs tailored to juveniles and victims with children. Details: San Diego, CA: San Diego State University, 2012. 120p. Source: Internet Resource: Thesis: Accessed July 2, 2012 at: http://sdsu-dspace.calstate.edu/bitstream/handle/10211.10/1904/Morgan_Katherine.pdf?sequence=1 Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://sdsu-dspace.calstate.edu/bitstream/handle/10211.10/1904/Morgan_Katherine.pdf?sequence=1 Shelf Number: 125454 Keywords: GangsHuman Trafficking (U.S.)ProstitutesProstitutionSexual Exploitation |
Author: Barnett, Laura Title: Prostitution: A Review of Legislation in Selected Countries Summary: This paper reviews the key legislative approaches to prostitution in a number of Western jurisdictions. In particular, it examines the specific laws and/or regulations these countries and states have instituted, and how they have fared in meeting their objectives. Details: Ottawa: Legal and Legislative Affairs Division, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, 2011. 32p. Source: Internet Resource: Background Paper: Accessed July 9, 2012 at: http://www.parl.gc.ca/Content/LOP/ResearchPublications/2011-115-e.pdf Year: 2011 Country: International URL: http://www.parl.gc.ca/Content/LOP/ResearchPublications/2011-115-e.pdf Shelf Number: 125517 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers |
Author: Shapiro, Melanie Title: Sex Trafficking and Decriminalized Prostitution in Rhode Island Summary: Rhode Island is the only state in the United States where prostitution is decriminalized indoors. Since decriminalization in 1980, the sex industry has expanded and Rhode Island has become a destination for commercial sex in New England. Rhode Island is one of only three states that have not had a human trafficking prosecution. Rhode Island has had no prosecutions of sex trafficking since the state anti-trafficking law was passed in 2007. The goal of this project was to research the history of decriminalization, gather information on Asian massage parlor brothels, and determine if sex trafficking is occurring in these establishments. Research on Asian massage parlor brothels and sex trafficking was carried out by observation of brothels, content analysis of writings by “johns” in online forums, newspaper stories, analysis of federal, state, and local statutes, analysis of known prostitution and sex trafficking cases, and advertisements by Asian massage parlor brothels. Asian massage parlors were the focus of the research since they advertise publicly, making them easier to research than other brothels in Rhode Island. The massage parlor advertisements and the reported experiences of “johns” were monitored for indications of sex trafficking. Interviews about massage parlor brothels and sex trafficking were conducted with public officials, law enforcement personnel, social justice groups, faith-based organizations, and victim service providers. To research the history of decriminalization, the trial transcripts, affidavits, motions, and briefs of the federal case were analyzed. Lawyers, officials, and other people knowledgeable about the decriminalization case were interviewed. Results of the research identified thirty-three Asian massage parlor brothels. Indicators of sex trafficking were found, such as barred windows and sealed exit doors, and the use of surveillance video cameras. Indications of women’s restricted freedom and limited mobility were identified, such as living on the premises and being rotated through a circuit of massage parlors. Content analysis of “johns’” reports of buying sex revealed examples of women’s resistance to engage in sex acts, indicating they may not have been acting freely. Research into the history of prostitution and massage parlor raids found evidence of sex trafficking. In 2006, a federal multistate sex trafficking case included a Providence massage parlor. Decriminalization of prostitution indoors resulted from a confluence of factors. In the late 1970s, citizens demanded police action against street prostitution in their neighborhoods. The existing prostitution laws made criminal procedures slow, and since prostitutes remained on the streets awaiting jury trials, it was ineffective to reduce prostitution. In addition, a prostitutes’ rights group filed a federal sex discrimination against the state of Rhode Island because more women than men were being arrested for soliciting sex even though the statute was genderneutral. Decriminalized prostitution has factored in the expansion of the commercial sex industry and the absence of any federal or state sex trafficking cases. Decriminalization of prostitution also makes it difficult to use existing statutes for organizing and controlling prostitution. Decriminalization of prostitution also interferes with the ability to identify and assist victims of sex trafficking. Details: Kingston, RI: University of Rhode Island, 2009. 154p. Source: Internet Resource: Senios Honors Project, Paper 135: Accessed July 9, 2012 at: http://digitalcommons.uri.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1137&context=srhonorsprog&sei-redir=1&referer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26rct%3Dj%26q%3D%2522sex%2520trafficking%2520and%2520decriminalized%2520prostitution%2522%26source%3Dweb%26cd%3D1%26ved%3D0CE4QFjAA%26url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fdigitalcommons.uri.edu%252Fcgi%252Fviewcontent.cgi%253Farticle%253D1137%2526context%253Dsrhonorsprog%26ei%3D59v6T6T5BumU6wG1zoHOBg%26usg%3DAFQjCNH6GGMMpr0oL9JW2X1WV-F6LnciFw#search=%22sex%20trafficking%20decriminalized%20prostitution%22 Year: 2009 Country: United States URL: http://digitalcommons.uri.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1137&context=srhonorsprog&sei-redir=1&referer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26rct%3Dj%26q%3D%2522sex%2520trafficking%2520and%2520decriminalized%2520prosti Shelf Number: 125520 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitution, Decriminalization (Rhode Island)Sex TraffickingSexual Exploitation |
Author: Bridges, Malinda Title: What's Best For Women: Examining the Impact of Legal Approaches to Prostitution in Cross-National Perspective and Rhode Island Summary: This research analyzes legal approaches to prostitution on a cross-‐national level in order to determine if legal methods that regulate prostitution have an effect on prostitution. In order to examine these concepts we first identify the legal approaches in the United States, Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden. Following this analysis, the effects of these legal approaches are reported. Instead of working from a strictly sociological standpoint, this project focused greatly on the legal aspects that affect prostitution. This paper shows that legal approaches to prostitution do not have as great an impact on prostitution numbers as might be expected. There are also concerns about the validity of prior research on prostitution. From observing prostitution arrest data, it is possible to conclude that although indoor prostitution has been criminalized, there has been little change in the number of arrests for engaging in prostitution and virtually no change in arrests for promoting and assisting in prostitution. Advertising for sexual services in Rhode Island still exists. This leads to the conclusion that the legal changes to the prostitution laws in Rhode Island have not greatly impacted the prevalence of prostitution. In realizing this, I seek to revise theory, which is tied to prohibitionist approaches, specifically deterrence theory. This study concluded that more reliable research needs to be done in order to gather accurate numbers on the amount of prostitutes. Moreover, reconsidering traditional views on deterrence theory may lead to the reduction of prostitution. While legal approaches to prostitution may have some effect on prostitution prevalence, non-‐legal solutions, such as partnerships between government and non-‐profit agencies, which provide healthcare, employment training, mental and emotional support services, substance abuse treatment, safe sex supplies and court diversionary services may have a greater impact. Details: Providence, RI: Rhode Island College, 2012. 65p. Source: Internet Resource: Honors Projects Overview, Paper 54: Accessed july 9, 2012 at: http://digitalcommons.ric.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1055&context=honors_projects&sei-redir=1&referer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26rct%3Dj%26q%3Dmalinda%2520bridges%2520%2522what%27s%2520best%2520for%2520women%2522%26source%3Dweb%26cd%3D1%26ved%3D0CEYQFjAA%26url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fdigitalcommons.ric.edu%252Fcgi%252Fviewcontent.cgi%253Farticle%253D1055%2526context%253Dhonors_projects%26ei%3Drjv7T5yWDOrr6QHg_bDXBg%26usg%3DAFQjCNGudYPAUeirZWU_KU-Qz6DYfeV1DA#search=%22malinda%20bridges%20whats%20best%20women%22 Year: 2012 Country: International URL: http://digitalcommons.ric.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1055&context=honors_projects&sei-redir=1&referer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26rct%3Dj%26q%3Dmalinda%2520bridges%2520%2522what%27s%2520best%2520for%2520 Shelf Number: 125525 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitution, LegalizationSex Workers |
Author: Lyons Venini and Associates, Ltd. Title: Reducing Street Prostitution by Influencing Demand: An Alternate Measures Program for Bill 206 Summary: Bill 206 is an amendment to the Traffic Safety Act of Alberta. The amendment, which would provide for the seizure of vehicles in prostitution related offences, is expected to become available for use by the justice system in 2005. Modeled after similar legislation, now in effect in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, it is viewed as another means of addressing the problems of street prostitution in Alberta communities. Included within the amendment is a provision for the release of a seized vehicle, in conjunction with the offender’s enrollment in an alternative measures program, as provided for under the Criminal Code of Canada. This provision has lead to questions concerning what alternative measures would be appropriate to consider in lieu of vehicle seizure. The report briefly reviews street prostitution issues and alternative measures being used in Calgary today. It then considers the merits of two other alternative measures programs: John Schools, which are now operating in most major Canadian cities; and Community Conferencing, which is being used in Minneapolis for prostitution related offences. Recommendations are then offered for use in Calgary. Details: Calgary, Alberta, Canada: Community Life improvement Council, 2005. 47p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 13, 2012 at: http://www.diversitycup.ca/Resources/Documents/Bill%202006%20Final%20Report%20Apr%2005.pdf Year: 2005 Country: Canada URL: http://www.diversitycup.ca/Resources/Documents/Bill%202006%20Final%20Report%20Apr%2005.pdf Shelf Number: 125607 Keywords: ProstitutesStreet Prostitution |
Author: Harding, Rachel Title: Sex Work: Abuse or Choice? The Experiences of Framework's Women Residents Summary: ‘Sex work: abuse or choice’ was in response to the concern that sex working women were regarded only as anti-social behaviour problems. Anecdotally, Framework staff had said that the sex working women resident at projects had typically experienced significant and traumatic abuse, and were presenting at services with complex needs. The study set out to test the hypothesis that the sex working women had indeed experienced abuse, and were presenting with complex needs. In particular, it sought to find out whether a woman’s experience of abuse influenced her decision to sex work. In devising the study and making recommendations following the findings, Framework and POW2 have worked together to raise awareness of the issues faced by sex workers, promote appropriate support and service provision, and seek to establish a safe house for sex working women in Nottingham. The study found much disturbing information about the abuse and the complex needs of the women interviewed. The detailed findings of the report, and especially the statistics, can make shocking reading. However, what cannot be forgotten is that the findings each tell a story of the women interviewed, for whom life has been, in some cases, unbelievably difficult. It is hoped that this research report will be a means of understanding the problems some women have lived, and what effects these have had on them and their ability to cope now. It is therefore important to consider which appropriate response and at what appropriate pace is to be made to the enormous need presented by the women interviewed, some of which they spoke about for the first time. Details: Nottingham, UK: Framework, 2005. 48p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 16, 2012 at: http://www.ndvf.org.uk/files/document/1043/original.pdf Year: 2005 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.ndvf.org.uk/files/document/1043/original.pdf Shelf Number: 125623 Keywords: Abused WomenDomestic ViolenceProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers (U.K.) |
Author: Smith, Reid Title: Let's Go for a Walk: Sexual Decision-making among Clients of Female Entertainment Service Workers in Phnom Penh, Cambodia Summary: Cambodia is a noteworthy success story in responding to HIV/AIDS, in particular through the emphasis on “most at risk populations” as key targeted HIV-prevention groups. However, evidence shows that the epidemic continues to be driven by the commercial sex industry and male clients have largely been missing from the response. HIV-prevention eff orts in Cambodia have principally focused on the role of female entertainment workers in transmitting the virus to the general population. Th is has meant that male clients of entertainment workers have often been overlooked and underserved by HIV-prevention activities and messaging. Data collected from men who frequent entertainment venues, such as beer halls or karaoke bars, reveal that more than half report paying for sex in the last 12 months and around 40% report having three or more commercial partners in that timeframe. Relatively little is known about the decision-making processes of men who purchase commercial sex in Cambodia. Th e goals of this study are fourfold: (1) to explore the sexual decision-making processes of men who regularly patronize high-risk entertainment venues; (2) to identify key behavior patterns and social inducements that lead high-risk men to frequently have sex with entertainment workers; (3) to locate decisive junctures in the course of men’s socializing when a decision to not seek the services of an entertainment worker could be made; and (4) to produce a series of personalized archetypes that can be used by programmers to frame behavior change messaging for entertainment establishmentbased HIV-prevention interventions. Forty-eight men (age 21-35) who said they had had sex with an entertainment worker within the preceding six months were selected for interview by PSI researchers. Each was scheduled to complete two interviews: a narrative interview covering a typical evening of socializing, and an interview that covered infl uencers, the dynamics of opting in or out of sex, condom habits, and positive Let’s Go for a Walk Sexual Decision-making among Clients of Female Entertainment Service Workers in Phnom Penh, Cambodia iv deviants. Twelve men were interviewed one-on-one and 36 participated in small group discussions. Sixteen brothel-based and non-brothel-based entertainment workers, chosen by United Health Network program staff, were also interviewed. Entertainment workers were included in the hope that they could provide insight into men’s sex-seeking decision-making processes. Data were collected from February-April 2007. Details: Durham, NC: FHI 360, 2007. 62p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 17, 2012 at: http://www.fhi360.org/NR/rdonlyres/ewjdittmp4oet5advfrfrpl7nytjum6hisl4k337fpezqrrsrzikdwmafd3vp4mpgxreqftbc6vjxh/CambodiaLetsGoWalkEnHV.pdf Year: 2007 Country: Cambodia URL: http://www.fhi360.org/NR/rdonlyres/ewjdittmp4oet5advfrfrpl7nytjum6hisl4k337fpezqrrsrzikdwmafd3vp4mpgxreqftbc6vjxh/CambodiaLetsGoWalkEnHV.pdf Shelf Number: 125649 Keywords: Commercial Sex IndustryHIV (Virus)ProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers (Cambodia) |
Author: Hoa, Tran Duc Title: Behind the Pleasure: Sexual Decision-Making Among High-Risk Men in Urban Vietnam Summary: Male clients of sex workers are a bridge population linking female sex workers to the general population, but their role in HIV prevention programs has been overlooked in Vietnam. In December 2004, FHI hosted a stakeholder meeting in Hanoi of national and international NGOs and United Nations agencies to discuss ways to increase male involvement in HIV/AIDS prevention. The discussion focused on engaging male clients of sex workers to become active in preventing HIV transmission to themselves and their wives or girlfriends. From April to June 2005, a research team comprised of FHI staff, consultants, representatives of NGOs and national social research agencies conducted a qualitative study of male clients of sex workers and other key informants. Candidates included men at high risk of purchasing sex, married women, and entertainment establishment owners. Researchers facilitated eighteen meetings, six each in Hanoi, Haiphong, and Ho Chi Minh City. In all, 324 candidates were interviewed. This report details the findings of the study and documents: • Behavior Patterns and Group Norms • Process of Sexual Decision Making • Reasons for Frequenting Sex Workers • What Makes a "Real" Man? • Male Responsibility Details: Durham, NC: FHI 360 (Family Health International), 2006. 84p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 18, 2012 at: http://www.fhi360.org/en/CountryProfiles/Vietnam/res_BehindThePleasure.htm Year: 2006 Country: Vietnam URL: http://www.fhi360.org/en/CountryProfiles/Vietnam/res_BehindThePleasure.htm Shelf Number: 125665 Keywords: HIV (Viruses)ProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers (Vietnam) |
Author: Atchison, Chris Title: Report of the Preliminary Findings for Johns' Voice: A Study of Adult Canadian Sex Buyers Summary: This research seeks to balance the stated objectives of understanding sex buyers' perspectives on risk and protective behaviors, and the decision-making processed involved in adopting these behaviours as they relate to HIV/AIDS. As such the research follows along Canadian research on sex buyers. Details: Burnaby, BC, Canada: Simon Fraser University, 2010. 37p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 20, 2012 at: http://24.85.225.7/johnsvoice/docs/JOHNS_VOICE_GENERAL_RESULTS_EXECUTIVE_ SUMMARY_FINAL_DIST.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Canada URL: Shelf Number: 125703 Keywords: HIV (Viruses)ProstitutesProstitutionSex BuyersSex Workers (Canada) |
Author: Swedish Institute Title: Selected extracts of the Swedish government report SOU 2010:49: The Ban against the Purchase of Sexual Services. An evaluation 1999-2008 Summary: For a long time, Sweden’s official attitude to prostitution has been that it is an unacceptable phenomenon in our society and must be combated. Since 1 January 1999, it has been a crime to buy sexual services in Sweden, and an individual who obtains a casual sexual relation for compensation is sentenced to pay fines or serve a prison term of up to six months for the purchase of sexual services. In contrast to previous measures against prostitution, the criminalization of the purchase of sexual services targets the demand, i.e., the sex buyer or the prospective sex buyer. Since then, discussions on the ban have sprung up in both Sweden and internationally, and various interpretations of the consequences of criminalization have been put forth. In spring 2008, as part of an action plan against prostitution and human trafficking for sexual purposes, the Swedish government appointed a special committee of inquiry, known as the Committee of Inquiry to Evaluate the Ban against the Purchase of Sexual Services. Chancellor of Justice Anna Skarhed, formerly a Justice of the Supreme Court, headed the committee; she was assisted by a team of experts and secretaries. The committee’s objective was to evaluate the ban against the purchase of sexual services. It was tasked with determining how the ban functions in practice and the effects of criminalization on the incidence of prostitution and human trafficking for sexual purposes in Sweden. With regard to the application of the ban, the committee examined reports of crime and sentences in order to determine how the ban has been applied in practice by the police, prosecutors and courts. As to the matter of the effects of the ban, the inquiry compared the incidence and forms of prostitution in Sweden today with circumstances prior to the ban’s introduction. In addition, it compared the circumstances in Sweden with those in five other comparable countries—Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and the Netherlands. On 2 July 2010, the committee delivered its report, ―The Ban against the Purchase of Sexual Services. An Evaluation 1999–2008‖ [Förbud mot köp av sexuell tjänst. En utvärdering 1999–2008 (SOU 2010:49)] to Minister of Justice Beatrice Ask. The report encompasses the inquiry’s work and its conclusions. Since there also appears to be interest in the inquiry’s results outside of Sweden, this document consists of translations of those sections that are presumed to be of particular interest to foreign readers. First, the English summary, which is part of the complete report, describes the contents of the report in concise terms. Further, chapter 4 describes how prostitution has changed in Sweden during the ten years that the ban has been in force and the effects of criminalization on the incidence of human trafficking for sexual purposes in Sweden. Finally, chapter 5 consists of a comparison between the circumstances in Sweden and those in some comparable countries. Details: Stockholm: Swedish Institute, 2010. 56p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 20, 2012 at: http://www.turnofftheredlight.ie/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Swedish-evaluation-full-trasnlation.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Sweden URL: http://www.turnofftheredlight.ie/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Swedish-evaluation-full-trasnlation.pdf Shelf Number: 125704 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitution (Sweden)Sex Workers |
Author: Virginia. State Crime Commission Title: Indecent Liberties and Prostitution-Related Offenses Involving Children (HJR 97, 2010) Summary: During the 2010 Session of the Virginia General Assembly, Delegate David Bulova introduced House Joint Resolution 97 (HJR 97), directing the Crime Commission to study a number of criminal justice issues connected with the problems of taking indecent liberties and prostitution-related offenses involving children. Specifically, the Crime Commission was directed to collect and review recent data related to the crimes of indecent liberties, prostitution, prostitution involving children, and the failure by employers to pay wages to employees. In addition, the Crime Commission also examined whether any of the recently enacted human trafficking criminal statutes have yet been utilized by prosecutors. To comply with this study request, data was obtained from the Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission (Sentencing Commission), the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry, the Virginia State Police, and the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ). The information obtained reveals that the majority of defendants who are convicted of the crime of indecent liberties, or indecent liberties committed by a person in a custodial or supervisory relationship (hereinafter referred to as indecent liberties by a custodian), received a punishment involving active incarceration versus probation alone. Of the defendants who received incarceration, slightly more received a prison term (more than 12 months incarceration) than a jail term (12 months or less incarceration). When imposing a sentence for these two crimes, judges are more likely to depart from the recommended sentence provided by the Virginia Sentencing Guidelines than is the reported rate for Guidelines compliance for crimes overall. In particular, judges are more likely to depart upwards from the recommended sentence (i.e., impose a heavier punishment). The number of prosecutions and convictions for misdemeanor prostitution crimes has remained relatively stable over the past five years. The number of prosecutions and convictions for felony prostitution crimes has remained somewhat stable, and is much lower – there were fewer than fifteen convictions throughout the state in any particular year. The number of juveniles arrested for prostitution or prostitution-related offenses is even smaller (less than five per year). Fewer than ten juveniles a year have formal criminal charges initiated against them for prostitution offenses. Conversations with staff at the DJJ support these figures; anecdotally, very few juveniles who are discovered to have engaged in prostitution are formally charged. Instead, every effort is made by staff to provide these juveniles with appropriate counseling and treatment. While the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry receives over five hundred complaints per year that are deemed valid from employees who have not been paid by their employers, almost none of these cases are prosecuted criminally under Va. Code § 40.1-29. Further, the national origin or immigration status of individuals who file such complaints is not collected. Finally, the three recently enacted criminal offenses aimed at combating human trafficking, Va. Code §§ 18.2-59(iii), 18.2-59(iv), and 18.2-47(B), do not appear to have been used; the Sentencing Commission reports that there have been no prosecutions or convictions for these crimes. Details: Richmond: Virginia State Crime Commission, 2011. 28p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 25, 2012 at: http://leg2.state.va.us/dls/h&sdocs.nsf/fc86c2b17a1cf388852570f9006f1299/93a62852a1ef5fb18525773800702ebf/$FILE/HD8.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://leg2.state.va.us/dls/h&sdocs.nsf/fc86c2b17a1cf388852570f9006f1299/93a62852a1ef5fb18525773800702ebf/$FILE/HD8.pdf Shelf Number: 125772 Keywords: Child Prostitution (Virginia)Child TraffickingProstitutes |
Author: McDougall, Kate Title: Selling Sex: A Study of Adult Women Who Exchange Sex for Money or Drugs on Toronto's Moss Park Stroll Summary: This research is a phenomenological case study on street-level sex work and the adult women who exchange sex for money or drugs in Moss Park, a particularly poor and crime-ridden neighborhood in Downtown Toronto. Hopefully, this research can be extrapolated and applied to other urban neighborhoods where street-level sex work is prevalent. The chosen methodology for this study was ten qualitative, guided one-on-one interviews in which the researcher was careful not to impose an outside conceptual framework. It is hoped that this research will help continue to cultivate a dialogue with the women engaged in this form of labor and further the ongoing discussions regarding sex work, violence, health and well-being, and the individual’s own identity and experience in street-level sex work. The information gathered from ten marginalized women who identify as being sex workers is intended to provide not only the social service organizations and advocacy groups in the community with an educational tool for understanding the nature of street-level sex work in Moss Park, but also a source of empowerment for both the women and the surrounding community to seek both change and urban social transformation around this issue. Details: Philadelphia: Eastern University, 2011. 94p. Source: Internet Resource: Thesis: Accessed September 26, 2012 at: http://www.eastern.edu/academic/ccgps/ssc/urban/pdf/McDougall_Thesis_690_5-9-2011.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Canada URL: http://www.eastern.edu/academic/ccgps/ssc/urban/pdf/McDougall_Thesis_690_5-9-2011.pdf Shelf Number: 126462 Keywords: Drug Abuse and AddictionProstitutesSex WorkersStreet Prostitution (Toronto, Canada) |
Author: RATS-W Team Title: Hit and Run: Sex Worker’s Research on Anti trafficking in Thailand Summary: Sex workers in Thailand must be one of the most researched groups in the world. For decades individuals and groups have made their way to Empower to complete a PhD, make a documentary, write an article, or fulfil their grant terms. We have lots of experience with research. For the past ten years sex workers in Thailand have had our human rights violated under the guise of implementing anti-trafficking law and policy. We have experienced an onslaught of slander vilifying our entire industry; violent police raids on our workplaces, arbitrary detention, forced rehabilitation in government shelters and deportation. We have continually advocated for reform and human rights protections especially for migrant sex workers. Despite these efforts our industry is still over represented in anti-trafficking raids and misrepresented as inherently violent, exploitative and an equivalent to human trafficking. People still do not know about or understand how current antitrafficking practices are not only abusing the rights of individuals, but are a huge barrier to our efforts to further reduce exploitation in our industry. In 2010 Empower decided to undertake a nation-wide community research project to identify and document the impact of the current Thai anti-trafficking law, policy and practice, on sex workers in Thailand, and to develop relevant and achievable solutions. Our secondary aims were to strengthen knowledge and awareness amongst our community about our legal and human rights; and to build our skills to design, carry out and collate research for use in our human rights advocacy. Our research did not set out to measure, prove or disprove the existence of human trafficking within the sex industry in Thailand. There is already a plethora of wildly contradictory reports on the subject. More significantly, as the leading sex worker organization working on the ground for the past 30 years, we already were well aware that human trafficking has been steadily disappearing from the sex industry in Thailand over the last 15 years. Instead we set out to measure the impact of anti trafficking law and practices on the human rights of women who are accused of being trafficked and other women who are not trafficked, but severely affected by anti-trafficking measures. Details: Thailand: Empower Foundation: 2012. 124p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 27, 2012 at: http://www.aidsdatahub.org/dmdocuments/HitandRun_RATSW_Eng_Empower_2012.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Thailand URL: http://www.aidsdatahub.org/dmdocuments/HitandRun_RATSW_Eng_Empower_2012.pdf Shelf Number: 126485 Keywords: Human RightsHuman TraffickingProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers (Thailand) |
Author: Barefoot Research and Evaluation Title: Study into the Extent and Characteristics of the Sex Market and Sexual Exploitation in County Durham Summary: This study, which was commissioned by Northern Rock Foundation under its Safety and Justice Programme, investigates the extent and dynamics of the sex market and sexual exploitation in County Durham. It presents a snapshot of information between December 2008 and December 2009. Using a qualitative knowledge mapping approach, we interviewed 160 professionals from over 30 different organisations. We asked professionals a standardised series of questions about their knowledge of the extent, characteristics and magnitude of the sex market and exploitation. Our research has identified evidence of people involved in sex work (what would generally be understood as prostitution), sexual exchanges (exchanging sex for resources such as accommodation, drugs, alcohol, debt repayments, etc.) and sexual exploitation (under 18 year olds exchanging sex for alcohol, drugs, money and other resources). We found evidence of a number of adult females and some males involved in sex work or regular sexual exchanges. We also found evidence of female and male children being sexually exploited. The numbers involved are not great, but the vulnerabilities of many involved are significant, and include vulnerabilities of health, housing, finances, safety and substance misuse. There are also apparent problems of people’s very low selfesteem and poor decision making which means they put themselves at a high risk of harm, both from a health point of view and from physical violence. Details: Newcastle upon Tyne: Northern Rock Foundation, 2010. 30p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 27, 2012 at: http://www.nr-foundation.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Sex-markets-in-County-Durham-summary-report.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.nr-foundation.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Sex-markets-in-County-Durham-summary-report.pdf Shelf Number: 126486 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitutionSex WorkersSexual Exploitation (U.K.) |
Author: Godwin, John Title: Sex Work and the Law in Asia and the Pacific: Laws, HIV and Human Rights in the Context of Sex Work Summary: Nearly all countries of Asia and the Pacific criminalize some aspects of sex work. Criminalization increases vulnerability to HIV by fuelling stigma and discrimination, limits access to sexual health services and condoms. The report clearly distinguishes between adult consensual sex work and human trafficking for sexual exploitation. Removing legal penalties for sex work allows HIV prevention and treatment programmes to reach sex workers and their clients more effectively. These are some of the findings in an unprecedented study issued today by the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). Sex Work and the Law examines 48 countries in Asia and the Pacific to assess laws, legal policies and law enforcement practices that affect the human rights of sex workers and impact on the effectiveness of HIV responses. Where sex work has been decriminalized, there is a greater chance for safer sex practices through occupational health and safety standards across the industry. Furthermore, there is no evidence that decriminalization has increased sex work. The report describes countries that use punitive law enforcement practices, confiscate condoms as evidence of illegal conduct, require compulsory or coerced HIV testing, deny government services and certain rights to sex workers, and have compulsory detention centres. The report notes: •Eleven countries where sex workers report condom confiscation or police harassment for possessing condoms (China, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Vietnam). •Six countries that require mandatory testing of sex workers for HIV or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as a condition of employment (Guam (unincorporated territory of the United States), Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and several states of Australia); and three countries where compulsory or coerced HIV testing for sex workers has been reported (China, India and Vietnam). •At least four countries in which compulsory detention of sex workers for rehabilitation or re-education is reported (China, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka). Roy, UNDP Asia-Pacific Regional Centre Manager. The report highlights current laws, policies and practices that are helpful to HIV responses. A snapshot: •Decisions of the Supreme Courts of Bangladesh, India and Nepal recognize the human rights of sex workers. •The Ministry of Interior of Cambodia issued a Directive that condoms will not be used as evidence for arrest. •Legislation in Fiji and Papua New Guinea make it unlawful to deny a person access to condoms or other means of protection from HIV. •National HIV laws in Cambodia, Fiji, Lao PDR, Papua New Guinea and the Philippines offer some protections in areas such as prohibition of compulsory testing, and rights to confidentiality and to protection from discrimination for those who are HIV-positive. •Legislation in Vietnam requires the government to implement harm reduction interventions including condom programmes with sex workers, and protects peer educators from prosecution. •Rules of the Social Security Fund of Thailand enable sex workers to access state social security benefits. The report also highlights how significant advances in recognition of the rights of sex workers can occur even in contexts where the sex industry is illegal. For example, education of police and empowerment of sex workers has helped to reduce human rights violations in India and Thailand, and health authorities in many countries now actively support sex worker organizations to deliver HIV prevention programmes to their peers. Details: Bangkok, Thailand: United Nations Development Programme, UNCP Asia-Pacific Regional Centre, 2012. 212p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 26, 2012 at: http://www.snap-undp.org/elibrary/Publication.aspx?ID=699 Year: 2012 Country: Asia URL: http://www.snap-undp.org/elibrary/Publication.aspx?ID=699 Shelf Number: 126809 Keywords: HIV (Viruses)Human TraffickingProstitutesProstitutionSex TraffickingSex Work (Asia)Sex WorkersSexually Transmitted Diseases |
Author: Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV and AIDS Title: Prostitution, Sex Work and Transactional Sex in the English-, Dutch- and French-Speaking Caribbean: A Literature Review of Definitions, Laws and Research Summary: Sex work in the Caribbean is multifaceted, covering a range of activities including brothel, club, tourist-oriented, and street-based prostitution, exotic dancing, and escort services. The aim of this project was to conduct a review of literature and legislation on sex work in the Caribbean for the period 1999-2009 in order that the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV/AIDS (PANCAP) could better understand the ways in which sex work activities are organized, legislated, and defined throughout the region. Details: Greater Georgetown, Guyana: PANCAP/ CARICOM, 2009. 108p. 2009. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 28, 2012 at: http://www.pancap.org/docs/World_Bank_Studies/Prostitution_Sex_Work_and_Transactional_Sex_Report.pdf Year: 2009 Country: Central America URL: http://www.pancap.org/docs/World_Bank_Studies/Prostitution_Sex_Work_and_Transactional_Sex_Report.pdf Shelf Number: 127024 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitutionSex TourismSex Work (Caribbean)Sexually Transmitted Diseases |
Author: University of California, Berkeley, Human Rights Center Title: Freedom Denied: Forced Labor in California Summary: Forced labor—defined as “all work or service which is exacted from any person under the menace of any penalty and for which the said person has not offered himself voluntarily” is not something that happens somewhere ‘over there’ in the developing world. It is a significant and often overlooked problem right here in the United States. Our research suggests that at any given time, ten thousand or more men, women and children are laboring against their will as prostitutes, farm and sweatshop laborers, and domestic workers in the United States. The U.S. Congress has recognized the scope of the problem and, in 2000, adopted the Trafficking Victim Protection Act. But the federal government understands that more needs to be done, and it has urged states to close gaps in the law by passing their own laws to combat human trafficking and forced labor. California is hardly a stranger to the issue—especially because forced labor flourishes in states with large immigrant populations. In recent years, the practice has spread to several areas of the state. Over eighty percent of the cases have been documented in the urban centers of Los Angles, San Diego, San Francisco, and San Jose. The majority of those forced to work as modern-day slaves come to California from abroad—with or without valid travel documents. Others are U.S. citizens that have fallen into the clutches of traffickers. Whether foreigners or not, they are terrified of their captors and face uncertain futures should they manage to escape. Our research identified 57 forced labor operations in almost a dozen cities in California between 1998 and 2003, involving more than 500 individuals from 18 countries. Thailand was the home country of 136 forced labor victims, with 104 and 53 arriving from, respectively, Mexico and Russia. American citizens comprise 5.4 percent of the total. Victims labored in several economic sectors including prostitution and sex services (47.4%), domestic service (33.3%), mail order brides (5.3 %), sweatshops (5.3%), and agriculture (1.8%). Victims of forced labor often suffer severe hardships and deprivations. Their captors often subject them to beatings, threats, and other forms of physical and psychological abuse. They live in conditions of deprivation and despair. Their captors may threaten their families. Perpetrators exert near total control over victims, creating a situation of dependency. Victims come to believe they cannot leave. They are terrified of their captors but also fear law enforcement, a fear often based on bad experiences with police and other government officials in their countries of origin. Once victims escape captivity they confront a host of new problems Obtaining safe shelter and legal employment are immediate concerns. Because so many survivors are strangers in a strange land, provision of comprehensive social services is needed to help them navigate from servitude to independent living. In recent years, thanks to the new trafficking act, federal prosecutors have taken the lead in bringing perpetrators of forced labor to justice. But much more needs to be done at the state level to end this practice. California criminal law, in particular, needs to be reformed to sanction modern traffickers and to train law enforcement to identify forced labor cases and to work appropriately with victims to gain their trust and cooperation in investigations and prosecutions. State law enforcement needs to coordinate their efforts with federal authorities to ensure that survivors promptly can access federal immigration benefits. In addition, prosecutors must act to protect witnesses and their families who reside overseas. To eradicate forced labor in California, we recommend that the following measures be taken: 1. The state should enact new criminal laws against forced labor. California’s criminal laws are not tailored to combat the practice of forced labor. The U.S. Department of Justice has proposed model state legislation which reflects the experience of law enforcement personnel who have investigated and prosecuted perpetrators under federal criminal law. California should review and adapt the model law so that state law enforcement can amplify federal efforts and bring greater numbers of offenders to justice. 2. The state should train law enforcement and other first responders to identify and address forced labor. Law enforcement personnel, health care providers, health and labor inspectors, and other first responders likely to encounter victims of forced labor should be trained to recognize the indicators of forced labor and how to intercede to liberate victims so that wellintentioned interventions do not jeopardize victims and their families. 3. The state should create civil remedies for forced labor survivors. Survivors of forced labor have been robbed of their earnings and their dignity. They should have access to courts to hold their perpetrators liable for the damages they inflicted upon survivors. The ability to file a private suit will allow survivors to control decisions about whether to pursue legal action and may help restore to them a sense of control over their lives. 4. The state should increase access to social services for survivors of forced labor. Safe housing and access to legal counsel must be made available to survivors. The state should provide funds to expand shelters dedicated to serving forced labor survivors. While only the federal government can provide immigration benefits to survivors, state law enforcement promptly should issue the appropriate certifications so that survivors can apply for federal relief. The state should fund medical care, legal assistance, job training and placement to support the recovery of survivors. 5. The state should create a task force to develop policy to address human trafficking and forced labor. A comprehensive response to forced labor involves many state and federal agencies, social service providers, legal advocates, researchers, and policy makers. The state should convene a task force to bring together stakeholders to identify gaps in the response to forced labor, develop guidelines to promote a consistent and survivor-centered approach to cases, and recommend policy to strengthen the state’s response. Details: Berkeley, CA: Human Rights Center, University of California, Berkeley, 2005. 39p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 22, 2013 at: http://www.oas.org/atip/country%20specific/Forced%20Labor%20in%20California.pdf Year: 2005 Country: United States URL: http://www.oas.org/atip/country%20specific/Forced%20Labor%20in%20California.pdf Shelf Number: 127349 Keywords: Forced Labor (California, U.S.)Human RightsHuman TraffickingProstitutes |
Author: Bjorndahl, Ulla Title: Dangerous Liaisons: A report on the violence women in prostitution in Oslo are exposed to. Summary: The report looks at the “Nordic/Swedish Model” in relation to the sex industry. This model originated in Sweden which among other things made it illegal to buy sexual services, pimping, procuring, living off the earnings of a sex worker – operating a brothel is also illegal. Essentially the Swedish Model was first enacted in 1999 in Sweden and criminalises the purchase of sex but not the selling of sex. Since 1999 however, Norway and Iceland have introduced similar legislation and many other countries around the world are looking to move to the same model. This report looks at the consequences of the “Nordic/Swedish model” and is a great piece of research to refute benefits of criminalising clients, brothels etc. 1.4 The main findings of the report: • 59% of the participants in the investigation from 2012 said they had been the exposed to violence in prostitution after the sex purchase law was introduced. • The violent offender in most cases is an unfamiliar, male client. • Many of the women reported that they have been the victims of extreme violence in the last 3 years. Among the 123 participants in the investigation 25 say that they have been raped / threatened into having sex, 24 had been threatened with weapons, 17 said they had been robbed/attempted robbed and 11 had been the targets of attempted murder. • The numbers can only be interpreted one way: women who sell sex in Oslo is a group where many have been exposed to extreme violence in the last 3 years. A frequency of extreme violence this high is seldom seen among such a small group in Oslo. • The terms under which sex work is conducted has changed for a large share of the women who provide sexual services. The market is characterized by increased judicialization which means that sex workers are more controlled by the government and therefore perceive themselves to have been increasingly criminalized. • The women rarely talk about their experiences with violence and few seek help from support services after they are exposed to violence. • Harassment and discrimination of women in prostitution from society at large has increased. • Some of the survival strategies sex workers mentioned in 2007/08 have been difficult to maintain subsequent to the passing of the sex purchase ban due to large changes in the prostitution market. The difficulties in employing these strategies are tied to an increased judicialization, a reduction in available customers and changes to the terms under which the women sell sex. Details: Oslo: Municipality of Oslo and Ministry of Justice and Public Safety, 2012. 53p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 11, 2013 at: http://nothing-about-us-without-us.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Dangerous-Liaisons_A-report-on-the-violence-women-in-prostitution-in-Oslo-are-exposed-to_Ulla-Bjorndahl-Oslo-2012_English-Translation.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Norway URL: http://nothing-about-us-without-us.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Dangerous-Liaisons_A-report-on-the-violence-women-in-prostitution-in-Oslo-are-exposed-to_Ulla-Bjorndahl-Oslo-2012_English-Translation.pdf Shelf Number: 127558 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitution (Norway)Sex WorkersSexual Violence |
Author: Barefoot Research and Evaluation Title: Study Into the Extent and Characteristics of the Sex Market and Sexual Exploitation in Cumbria Summary: This study, which was commissioned by Northern Rock Foundation under its Safety and Justice for Victims of Abuse Programme, investigates the extent and dynamics of sex markets and sexual exploitation in Cumbria. The study was carried out by Barefoot Research and Evaluation and the University of Cumbria using a knowledge mapping approach; we interviewed a total of 120 professionals from over 40 different organisations across Cumbria. It presents a snapshot of information between 2010 and 2011. We found evidence of a number of different types of sex markets and exploitation across Cumbria where both adults and children were involved. Adult markets included: • Female sex workers who work for escort agencies from the North West of England travelling up along the M6 corridor to work from hotels. • Females who work as independent sex workers who live across Cumbria who offer incalls and outcalls. • Females who work in brothels • Females engaged in survival sex work, exchanging sex for essential resources from money to accommodation. • Heterosexual males advertising as sex workers across Cumbria who offer services to females or male and female couples. • Homosexual males advertising as sex workers across Cumbria who offer services to males. • Homosexual males engaged in survival sex work. We make a distinction between formal sex work and survival sex work (though we fully accept that the boundaries between formal and survival sex work are often blurred). The difference between the two is generally the motivation for the work and whether the work is full time or occasional, Formal sex work, undertaken by escorts or independent sex workers, is often done as a full-time form of employment. Survival sex work tends to be occasional and is done when the individual needs either money for essential resources or often exchanges sex directly for those resources. Survival sex work is commonly associated with problematic substance misuse, for example, heroin or alcohol or other complex needs such as homelessness and mental ill health. Details: Newcastle upon Tyne: Northern Rock Foundation, 2012. 36p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 11, 2013 at: http://www.nr-foundation.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Study-into-sex-markets-and-child-sexual-exploitation-in-Cumbria-summary.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.nr-foundation.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Study-into-sex-markets-and-child-sexual-exploitation-in-Cumbria-summary.pdf Shelf Number: 127562 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitution (U.K.)Sex WorkersSexual Exploitation |
Author: PEER Research Team Title: Exploring the Lives of Sex Workers in Tyne and Wear Summary: The overall aim of the PEER project is to provide a robust evidence base regarding the experiences and service needs of women engaging in sex work in Tyne and Wear, in order to inform local knowledge, policy and practice in this area. Specifically, the research objectives are: • To document the lives and experiences of women selling sex in Tyne and Wear • To explore the women’s experiences of service provision in Tyne and Wear • To consult stakeholders about their knowledge and involvement in strategic decision-making and service provision in the context of sex work, and • To produce a number of targeted recommendations in relation to local policy and service provision in the context of sex work. The research was conducted using a peer-led methodology; 36 interviews were completed by peer researchers with women working as escorts (n=14), women engaged in opportunistic or survival sex work (n=20) and one women who had been trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation. One interview was also completed with a male escort. In addition 15 stakeholder interviews and one focus group were completed by the peer researchers in partnership with the academic research team. Details: Newcastle upon Tyne, UK: Northern Rock Foundations, 2013. 86p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed FEbruary 13, 2013 at: http://www.nr-foundation.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/PEER_finalreport_full_v1_2.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.nr-foundation.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/PEER_finalreport_full_v1_2.pdf Shelf Number: 127600 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers (U.K.) |
Author: Donovan, B., Harcourt, C., Egger, S., Schneider, K., O’Connor, J., Marshall, L., Chen, M.Y., & Fairley, C.K. Title: The Sex Industry in Western Australia Summary: The Western Australian Government is currently reviewing its legislative approach to prostitution. In parallel with this process, the Law and Sexworker Health (LASH) team independently compiled extensive collateral data on the prostitution laws in WA, and prosecutions (2000-2005) resulting from those laws; the structure and function of the sex industry in Perth; the demographics, behaviour, health, and welfare of a representative sample of brothel-based sex workers in Perth; and the operation of health promotion and clinical services in WA. The WA Department of Health contracted the LASH team to compile this Report in order to better inform WA policy considerations. The LASH team had been funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council to investigate if the various legislative approaches across Australian jurisdictions were associated with different health and welfare outcomes for the sex workers. Three capital cities were selected and the LASH team focused on urban brothel-based female sex workers for comparability reasons, and because such women provide the bulk of commercial sexual services in Australia. Perth was selected because most forms of commercial sex are illegal, Sydney because adult sex work is largely decriminalised, and Melbourne because sex work as "legalized": that is, either brothels or individual sex workers must be licensed. Unlicensed brothels or sex workers in Melbourne remain criminalised. In brief, the LASH team determined that - Perth had a small (and possibly contracting), diverse, and open sex industry commensurate with the size of Perth's population. WA men are infrequent consumers of commercial sexual services, with only 1.9% purchasing sexual services in any one year, similar to the Australian average. This suggests that criminal sanctions in WA do not reduce the incidence commercial sex. - Despite a remarkably large number of laws against prostitution-related activities, offenses finalised in the WA courts were overwhelmingly concentrated on the street-based sex industry. Indeed, more male clients of street workers were prosecuted than street workers. Over the six-year period, 2000 to 2005, there were no prosecutions against several prostitution laws. - Perth brothels remained concentrated in traditional inner-city areas and the police still maintained a database of sex workers, indicating that the "containment policy" was still in effect despite its official abandonment in 2000. The police visited Perth brothels and required names and other information much more than in brothels in Melbourne and Sydney. Nevertheless, there was little evidence of police corruption in Perth. - Compared to sex workers in Melbourne and Sydney, brothel-based female sex workers in Perth were less educated, and fewer were born in Asian or other non-English speaking countries. Though one in five Perth workers rated their English language skills as "fair" or "poor", no health promotion staff with foreign language skills were available. The organisation charged with delivering health promotion services to the WA sex industry, Magenta, had limited access to most brothels because of the illegal status of the industry. - Nevertheless, condom use at work approached 100% in Perth brothels and when the LASH team tested the Perth women the prevalence of four sexually transmitted infections (STIs) - chlamydia (2.7%), gonorrhoea (0), Mycoplasma genitalium (3.6%), and trichomoniasis (0.9%) - was at least as low as the general population. These low STI rates were similar to the rates in sex workers in Melbourne and Sydney. - Similar to Melbourne and Sydney, 10% of Perth brothel workers were found to be severely distressed on psychological testing (the Kessler-6 scale) and this was strongly associated with injecting drug use. This proportion was twice as high as the general population. Details: Sydney: National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research, University of New South Wales, 2010. 51p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 13, 2013 at: http://www.med.unsw.edu.au/nchecrweb.nsf/resources/shpreport/$file/wasexreport.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Australia URL: http://www.med.unsw.edu.au/nchecrweb.nsf/resources/shpreport/$file/wasexreport.pdf Shelf Number: 127606 Keywords: BrothelsProstitutesProstitutionSex IndustrySex Workers (Australia) |
Author: Janson, Lara Title: “Our Great Hobby”: An Analysis of Online Networks for Buyers of Sex in Illinois Summary: When it comes to prostitution, the commercial sex industry, and sex trafficking, most discussions, reports, and research on the topics focus on “the prostitute,” ignoring the consumers of prostituted women, the “johns.” Focusing primarily on the women, who mostly constitute the supply side of the commercial sex industry, limits our understanding of the social relationships that characterize and fuel the commercial sex industry. This study focuses on the exchange of information among men who post on the USA Sex Guide in Illinois regarding what they call their “great hobby,” buying sex. Studying these online forums where men trade information with one another on buying sex with women sheds light on the attitudes of a segment of men who buy sex in Illinois as well as a broader community of sex purchasers. It offers a unique glimpse into a world that remains hidden and often inaccessible to researchers. Researching the online johns’ boards also contributes to a better understanding of the increasingly important role of the Internet in the lives of men who buy sex. This research is based on predominantly qualitative content analysis of posts made on the USA Sex Guide from June 1, 2010 to August 31, 2010 by men who buy sex in Illinois. We found that the USA Sex Guide serves as a community and an important resource for johns to inform themselves about buying sex throughout Illinois. The forums create a brotherhood among men who buy sex and reinforce men’s justifications for purchasing sex. The USA Sex Guide appears to be a source of strong bonding among the johns, who often use the forums to help buttress one another against perceived critics or threats. Postings on the USA Sex Guide indicate that men travel throughout Illinois to buy sex in a variety of venues, particularly throughout the Chicago suburbs. The geographic mobility of men who buy sex suggests that responses to the demand for commercial sex must be coordinated in order to be effective. The entries also reflect an ethos of male entitlement to sex that many johns use to rationalize their behavior. Additionally, the data indicate a common vision of a fantasy shared by many men on the forum—an ideal experience in which prostituted women provide an illusion of intimacy and authenticity in their sexual encounters with johns. This research confirms findings from other studies that indicate that the commercial sex industry in Illinois is harmful; some men who buy sex admit on the USA Sex Guide boards to being violent or aggressive toward women in prostitution, and many men on the forums reference the harm the commercial sex industry causes to women, communities, relationships, and themselves. Comments made by men on the USA Sex Guide about law enforcement and policy efforts to combat prostitution reveal the ineffectiveness, in terms of deterring men from buying more sex, of policies that target prostituted women or only men of color who buy sex. Conversely, when johns post on the boards about law enforcement raids that only target men who buy sex, it creates energetic discussions about the risks of their “great hobby.” Some men on the forums state that they will no longer take the risk of buying sex due to the increased risk of legal punishment. Details: Chicago: Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation, 2013. 112p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 16, 2013 at: http://caase.org/demandreport Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: http://caase.org/demandreport Shelf Number: 128362 Keywords: Human TraffickingInternet CrimesProstitutesProstitution (Chicago, U.S.)Sex TraffickingSex WorkSexual Exploitation |
Author: Hudson, Susan L. Title: Sex, Drugs and "Ugly Mugs": An ethnographic study of women who inject psychostimulants and engage in street-based sex work in Kings Cross, Sydney Summary: Australian and international literature provides strong evidence that intravenous use of psychostimulants increases the harms experienced by users, including heightening the risk of blood-borne virus (BBV) infection. The few Australian studies that include women who inject psychostimulants identify street-based sex work as the main method of income generation and highlight the harms that result from combining these practices. However, there has been little exploration into the way these practices are shaped by the environments in which they occur or the ways in which women manage these harms. This thesis aims to provide an in-depth exploration of the daily lives of women who inject psychostimulants and engage in street-based sex work in Kings Cross, Sydney. Over 18 months between 2005 and 2007, the author conducted ethnographic fieldwork with women who injected psychostimulants and engaged in street-based sex work in Kings Cross, Sydney. Data sources included observations recorded as fieldnotes and transcripts of in-depth interviews with 12 women. Thematic analysis of the data was employed with particular attention to the womens shared narratives. Key findings of the thesis were that 1) the Kings Cross environment plays a prominent role in shaping the lives of women, their psychostimulant injecting and street-based sex work practices; 2) psychostimulant injecting reinforces the opportunistic nature of street-based sex work as the primary method of income generating for women, restricting the development of occupational norms; 3) synergies exist between the drug and sex markets in Kings Cross, increasing the harms associated with both injecting and street-based sex work practices; 4) public health messages relating to sharing of injecting equipment and condom use fail to account for contextually driven decision-making and risk prioritising; 5) women develop lay epidemiological understandings as they attempt to reconcile the public health messages with the lived reality. The value of these findings is in the insights they provide into the everyday lives of these women in Kings Cross that have not been documented previously and their potential for informing bottom-up rather than top down approaches to future policy, practice and research. Details: Sydney: School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, 2009. 244p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed April 16, 2013 at: http://www.unsworks.unsw.edu.au/primo_library/libweb/action/dlDisplay.do?vid=UNSWORKS&docId=unsworks_8131&fromSitemap=1&afterPDS=true Year: 2009 Country: Australia URL: http://www.unsworks.unsw.edu.au/primo_library/libweb/action/dlDisplay.do?vid=UNSWORKS&docId=unsworks_8131&fromSitemap=1&afterPDS=true Shelf Number: 128386 Keywords: Drug Abuse and AddictionProstitutesProstitution (Australia)Sex WorkStreet-Based Prostitution |
Author: Louie, Christine G. Title: Community Attitudes to Street Prostitution: The Downtown Eastside and Strathcona Summary: In 2006, the House of Commons “Subcommittee on Solicitation Laws” agreed unanimously that Canada’s prostitution laws are “unacceptable” and need to be changed, but its members could not agree on how to change them. Consequently, this thesis explores the experiences and attitudes of residents and business-persons to prostitution law and social policy in an area that has long been a host to street prostitution: Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. The research involved an on-line questionnaire on respondents’ attitudes to prostitution laws, safety issues, street prostitution control, and their experiences with street prostitution. The study found that while respondents (n=122) did not want street prostitution in residential areas, they did support indoor and street prostitution in non-residential areas as well as policies that aim to increase sex workers’ personal safety. Seventy-six percent of residents thought that the sale of sex should be legal and 72% thought that buying a sexual service from an adult should be legal. Seventy-five percent of residents think that the government should decriminalize adult prostitution in Canada. Details: Burnaby, BC: Simon Fraser University, School of Criminology, 2009. Source: Internet Resource: Thesis: Accessed April 22, 2013 at: http://184.70.147.70/lowman_prostitution/HTML/CAP/Louie_Community_Attitudes_to_Street_Prostitution.pdf Year: 2009 Country: Canada URL: Shelf Number: 128423 Keywords: Nuisance Behaviors and DisordersProstitutesPublic OpinionSex WorkersStreet Prostitution (Canada) |
Author: STAR (Sex Trade Advocacy Title: Safety, Security and the Well-Being of Sex Workers. A Report Submitted to the. House of Commons, Subcommittee on Solicitation Laws (SSLR). Summary: In the early part of the 18th century, sex work venues in Canada were predominately street- and brothel based. Since then they have become much more diverse and fluid. In Toronto, for example, sex worker organizations estimate that 5-10% of workers are street-based, divided between ‘low’ and ‘high’ strolls2, while 90-95% use hotels, apartments, houses, bars, bath houses, massage or body rub parlours, strip clubs brothels. This distribution varies in other cities but nation-wide, less than 20% of sex workers meet their clients on the street (Shaver, 1993; Lowman, 2005). The movement of sex workers between locations makes it difficult to establish stable estimates of location of work and undermines the idea that there is a strict hierarchy across the different types of work. Concerns about money, independence, the weather, and violence influence the day-to-day choices that workers make about where they will work (Benoit & Miller, 2001; Lewis et al., 2005; Jeffrey & MacDonald, forthcoming). Sexual services may include the provision of sexual gratification using fantasy as in exotic dancing, phone or internet sex, and/or physical contact. There are a variety of ways to organize sex work. One can work independently, with colleagues, or for someone else. In addition, work may be organized on an “in-call” or an “out-call” basis. In the former case, sex workers typically have a fixed location where they receive clients. In the latter, the sex worker goes to the client’s home, business, or hotel room. These two dimensions (location and organization), in conjunction with social and legal policies currently in place, interact with gender, stigma, and risk factors to affect the ability of sex workers to secure and maintain control over their environments. The majority of sex workers are women. Counts from street-based sex work suggest that about 20% of street-based sex workers are men (Shaver, 1993) while a much smaller number identify as transsexual/transgender (TS/TG)3. Clients are overwhelmingly men in all sectors of the industry. Exceptions include a small number of women clients who seek out male or female sex workers (primarily escorts or erotic massage providers) and women who are part of a heterosexual couple seeking sexual services. Unfortunately, public assumptions about sex work and sex workers are most often grounded in impressions of street-based prostitution, the most visible but smallest sector of the industry. Typically these impressions are based on stereotypical images of the women working the low stroll, engaging in survival sex or selling sexual services to support a drug habit. These assumptions tend to reinforce a homogeneous stereotype of sex workers as victims. Sex work venues and sex workers are much more diverse than the street portrait indicates. The majority of sex work occurs off-street, with victimization varying by the location of work. Those working off-street and high strolls are exposed to far less victimization than those working low strolls. Recognizing this is a key component for developing policies to improve the safety and security policies of all sex workers. This report is based on a study conducted between 2001 and 2004 that explored how public policies influence the working lives, conditions of work, and the health, safety, and well-being of sex workers operating in diverse venues. Details: Windsor, ON: University of Windso5, STAR, 2006. 48p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 25, 2013 at: http://web2.uwindsor.ca/courses/sociology/maticka/star/pdfs/safety_and_security_report_final_version.pdf Year: 2006 Country: Canada URL: http://web2.uwindsor.ca/courses/sociology/maticka/star/pdfs/safety_and_security_report_final_version.pdf Shelf Number: 128489 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitution (Canada)Sex Workers |
Author: Kelly, Liz Title: ʻItʼs Just Like Going to the Supermarketʼ: Men buying sex in East London Summary: This exploratory study extends the limited knowledge base on men who pay for sex. The research explores the decision-making processes of men who pay for sex in the borough of Tower Hamlets, an area of London that has a well-established and visible street soliciting area. The original target group were men arrested during kerb crawling operations. This was, however, supplemented by men recruited through other access routes. Quantitative and qualitative data were analysed. Details: London: Child and Woman Abuse Studies Unit (CWASU) at London Metropolitan University, 2007. 34p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 1, 2013 at: http://www.cwasu.org/publication_display.asp?pageid=PAPERS&type=1&pagekey=44&year=2007 Year: 2007 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.cwasu.org/publication_display.asp?pageid=PAPERS&type=1&pagekey=44&year=2007 Shelf Number: 106732 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitution (U.K.)Sex Workers |
Author: Roxburgh, Amanda Title: Mental Health, Drug Use and Risk among Female Street-Based Sex Workers in Greater Sydney Summary: Demographic characteristics - The mean age of the sample was 34 years and approximately one-quarter of the sample identified as being of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (A&TSI) origin. The median years of school education completed was 9. Fourteen percent reported having no fixed address, or current homelessness and nearly half the sample reported being homeless within the past 12 months. Income apart from sex work in the past month came from several sources, and the vast majority reported sex work as their main source of income in the past month. More than half of the sample reported moving out of home before age 16. Sex work history and working conditions - The median age that participants reported starting sex work was 19, with almost one third starting before 18. Length of involvement in the sex industry ranged from four months to 39 years, and participants had worked in various other sectors of the sex industry. The majority of participants reported starting sex work because they needed the money for drugs, and this was also the main reason for remaining in the sex industry. Just under half the sample reported the money as being the most enjoyable aspect of their work, and the biggest concern for approximately one-third of the sample was the provision of a safe work environment (such as safe houses). Three-quarters of the women reported providing services on the street, two-thirds reported providing them in cars and just over half the sample reported using a safe house (in areas where safe houses were available). Two-thirds of the sample reported that they found sex work very stressful, and half stated that clients were the reason for this stress. The overwhelming majority of women reported ever having experienced violence while working, most commonly physical assault and rape. Drug use and drug treatment - Ninety four percent of the sample had ever injected any drug, and the median age of first injecting was 18, with approximately one-quarter of the sample reporting first injecting before the age of 16. There were relatively heavy patterns of heroin, cocaine and cannabis use reported among some of the women, while patterns of methamphetamine and alcohol use remained sporadic. The vast majority of the sample was heroin dependent according to the Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS) while approximately one-third was cocaine and cannabis dependent. Participants who were cocaine dependent were more likely to report sharing injecting equipment in the past month and less likely to use condoms when having penetrative sex with clients. Approximately two-thirds of the sample was in drug treatment at the time of interview. Sex work and drug use - Approximately half the sample reported injecting drugs prior to commencing sex work, and one-quarter reported commencing sex work within 3 years of injecting drug use initiation. Just over one-quarter of the sample reported starting sex work prior to injecting drug use, and approximately three-quarters reported that their drug use had increased since they started sex work. Injection-related risk behaviours - There were very few reports of borrowing used needles among the injecting drug users, while one-fifth reported lending a used needle to someone in the preceding month. Almost two-thirds of the sample reported sharing other injecting equipment in the past month. Approximately two-thirds of the sample reported testing positive for HCV. There were no reports of HIV positive results. Unwanted sexual activity - Three-quarters of the sample reported experiencing some form of child sexual abuse before the age of 16. Almost two-thirds of the sample reported that someone had sexual intercourse with them after the age of 16 when they had made it clear they did not consent. Mental health problems - Depression - Approximately half of the sample reported severe current depressive symptoms in accordance with the Beck Depression Inventory II. Depression was associated with homelessness in the past 12 months, A&TSI status, and cannabis dependence. Approximately half the sample reported ever having tried to kill themself, and approximately one-quarter had first attempted suicide by the age of 18. Borderline Personality Disorder - Approximately half the sample screened positively for a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), which was associated with a range of adverse outcomes: earlier age of injecting drug use initiation, benzodiazepine dependence, cannabis dependence, sharing injecting equipment, current severe depressive symptoms, and adult sexual assault. Post-traumatic stress disorder - All but one of the participants reported having experienced at least one traumatic event in their lifetime, with a large proportion reporting multiple traumas. Rape, physical assault, child sexual abuse and witnessing someone being badly injured or killed were the most commonly reported traumas. Approximately half of the sample met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV (TR)) criteria for a lifetime diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and one-third reported current PTSD symptoms. Approximately three-quarters of those participants who developed PTSD said they had spoken to a health professional about the associated symptoms. Those reporting current PTSD were more likely to have experienced a greater number of traumas than those who did not report current symptoms. Access to mental health services - Approximately one-quarter of the sample had ever been admitted to a psychiatric hospital, and the most common reasons for admission were depression and anxiety. Just under half of the sample reported speaking with a health professional about a mental health problem other than their drug use in the past 6 months, most commonly for depression. Crime and police contact - Just under half of the sample reported engaging in criminal activity in the month prior to the interview, and just over half of the sample had been arrested in the preceding 12 months. Over half the sample reported ever having been in prison, and a small proportion had been in prison in the preceding 12 months. There were mixed reports regarding experiences with the police. Equal proportions of participants reported experiences of police harassment, poor treatment, and assault reports not being taken seriously, as well as police assistance, respectful treatment, and police assistance after assaults. Despite the large majority of women reporting experiences of violence at work, very low proportions had reported these incidents to police. Access to information and emotional support - Participants generally had good access to information on safe sex and drug use, bloodborne virus information and legal support. Access was particularly good to information on the sex industry in general. A substantial minority of the group reported having no emotional support. Details: Sydney: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, 2005. 81p. Source: Internet Resource: NDARC Technical Report Number 237: Accessed May 1, 2013 at: http://ndarc.med.unsw.edu.au/resource/mental-health-drug-use-and-risk-among-female-street-based-sex-workers-greater-sydney Year: 2005 Country: Australia URL: http://ndarc.med.unsw.edu.au/resource/mental-health-drug-use-and-risk-among-female-street-based-sex-workers-greater-sydney Shelf Number: 106728 Keywords: Drug Abuse and AddictionMental Health ServicesProstitutesProstitution (Australia)Sex Workers |
Author: O'Doherty, Tamara Title: Off-Street Commercial Sex: An Exploratory Study Summary: This thesis explores women’s experiences working in off-street prostitution venues in Vancouver, BC. The victimization experienced by street-based sex workers has led many people to conclude that prostitution is inherently dangerous. However, street-based workers form the minority of sex workers in Canada. The question remains, can their experiences be generalized to other types of prostitution? Consequently, this thesis examines whether female off-street sex workers face the same degree of victimization as female street-based sex workers, and asks if the experience of prostitution always entails violence. The research contained two components: a) a victimization survey examining interpersonal violence and other forms of victimization of off-street sex workers (n=39); and b) in-depth interviews with ten off-street sex workers exploring their working conditions, safety, stereotypes of prostitution, and law reform (n=10). While violence and exploitation do occur in the off-street industry, this study indicates that some women sell sex without experiencing any violence. Details: Burnaby, BC: Simon Fraser University, School of Criminology, 2007. 135p. Source: Internet Resource: Thesis: Accessed May 1, 2013 at: Year: 2007 Country: Canada URL: Shelf Number: 128584 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitution (Canada )Sex WorkersVictimization |
Author: Sondhi, Shireen Title: Are We Chasing Rainbows?: Achieving the Decriminalization of Prostitution in Canada Summary: Prostitution has often been referred to as the oldest profession in the world. Yet the Canadian legislature and courts refuse to recognize it as a profession but merely as a social nuisance or worse yet a social evil. While the act of selling sex in exchange for money is technically legal in Canada, all related activities are criminalized. The majority of social science studies concerning the impact of prostitution-related laws on the health, safety and wellbeing of prostitutes indicates that criminalization jeopardizes the safety of prostitutes, as well as their access to health and social services and recommends the decriminalization of the profession. Despite these studies and requests from sex workers and experts, the government has refused to repeal any of the prostitution-related laws. This paper outlines the societal and legislative treatment of prostitution and then seeks to determine whether decriminalization is a viable goal in Canada. Details: Toronto: University of Toronoto, Faculty of Law, 2010. 61p. Source: Internet Resource: Thesis: Accessed May 1, 2013 at: https://tspace.library.utoronto.ca/bitstream/1807/25806/1/Sondhi_Shireen_201011_LLM_thesis.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Canada URL: https://tspace.library.utoronto.ca/bitstream/1807/25806/1/Sondhi_Shireen_201011_LLM_thesis.pdf Shelf Number: 128585 Keywords: DecriminalizationProstitutesProstitution (Canada)Sex Workers |
Author: Central and Eastern EuropeanHarm Reduction Network Title: Sex Work, HIV/AIDS, and Human Rights in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia Summary: Although sex work has a long history in nearly every culture and society, sex workers have been rarely, if ever, free from persecution, stigma, and violence. In some countries, notably in Western Europe, government officials and policymakers have worked with sex workers and their representatives in an effort to ease discrimination and improve access to health care and other social services. Such efforts have at times been slow and inconsistent; they are, however, major accomplishments compared with most nations elsewhere in the world. In Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia, for example, sex workers remain among the most marginalized members of society. Policymakers and authorities view them as nuisances to be ignored or immoral lawbreakers rather than as individuals who can and should be protected from violence and receive social and economic assistance and support. At the same time, the surging HIV/AIDS epidemic in the region places sex workers at increasingly greater risk of infection not only from HIV, but also from other potentially debilitating conditions related to sex work and drug use. This report provides an overview of these and other important issues that sex workers face in the region as well as to the political, economic, and social factors that influence policies and attitudes toward sex workers. It focuses primarily on existing laws and policies and their consequences from the perspective of HIV prevention and treatment. The report also offers recommendations designed to uphold sex workers’ human rights and remove barriers that reduce their ability or willingness to obtain access to consistent and equitable health care and other social services. Details: Vilnius, 01114, Lithuania: Central and Eastern European Harm Reduction Network, 2005. 121p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 3, 2013 at: http://www.unodc.org/documents/hiv-aids/publications/CEEAndCAsiaharm_05_sex_work_east_eur_0408.pdf Year: 2005 Country: Europe URL: http://www.unodc.org/documents/hiv-aids/publications/CEEAndCAsiaharm_05_sex_work_east_eur_0408.pdf Shelf Number: 128614 Keywords: AIDS (Disease)HIV (Viruses)ProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers (Europe) |
Author: Wilks, Kim Title: Effective Approaches for Reducing Prostitution in Texas: Proactive and Cost-Efficient Strategies to Help People Leave the Streets Summary: The diversion of individuals with low-level, nonviolent offenses from the criminal justice system has not only been shown to improve public safety; it has also resulted in significant cost savings for state prison systems. Diversion programs have proven especially successful in re-directing individuals with mental illness and addictilon issues away from incarceration and toward much needed treatment services. Individuals who engage in sex work are far more likely to suffer from mental illness, drug and alcohol addiction, and past trauma than both the general population and many other individuals entering the criminal justice system. The proven effectiveness of diversion programs when applied to similar popular ons compels us to believe that an increase in the number of prostituion diversion programs in Texas will positively impact public health and public safety while simultaneously saving taxpayer dollars. Texas incarcerates sex workers at a higher rate than most other states, and it is the only state in the nation to charge individuals engaging in prostitution with a felony. This punitive approach has not significantly deterred individuals from prostitution or decreased the number of prostituion arrests. Instead, Texas’ policies have resulted in high costs associated with policing, prosecuting, and incarcerating these individuals, and they have created collateral consequences for the arrested individuals themselves and the communities where prostitution occurs. Indeed, individuals face lifelong barriers associated with conviction, including limited access to housing and employment, while communities struggle to address populations that are under-employed or homeless, and draining local budgets. Prostitution diversion programs throughout the country, including one in Dallas, have a proven track record of success in offering individuals a safe exit from prostitution. Based on an examination and consideration of these successful models, the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition urges legislators to consider expanding such programs throughout the state. Details: Austin, TX: Texas Criminal Justice Coalition, 2013. 20p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 9, 2013 at: http://www.texascjc.org/sites/default/files/uploads/TCJC%20Effective%20Approaches%20Reducing%20Prostitution%20(2013).pdf Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: http://www.texascjc.org/sites/default/files/uploads/TCJC%20Effective%20Approaches%20Reducing%20Prostitution%20(2013).pdf Shelf Number: 128695 Keywords: Costs of Criminal JusticeDiversion ProgramsProstitutesProstitution (Texas, U.S.)Sex Workers |
Author: Cyrenians Title: MAP: Exploring the Lives of Male Sex Workers in Tyne and Wear Summary: It has been a long held belief in the Tyne and Wear region that there are no red light districts where the sale of sex could occur. This is in direct contrast with many other comparable areas or cities around the UK and is often seen as especially unusual for a city the size of Newcastle (population 280,000). The apparent lack of a visible sex market throughout the Tyne and Wear conurbation (North & South Tyneside, Sunderland, Gateshead and Newcastle - total population 1.1 million) does not mean that the sex industry is not well established; it has developed mainly off-street and is dominated by the many escort agencies and independent escorts who rely on the internet for custom. The current perception is that there are many more women selling sex than men. Details: Newcastle upon Tyne, UK: Northern Rock Foundation, 2013. 8p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 20, 2013 at: http://www.nr-foundation.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/map_report_lores.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.nr-foundation.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/map_report_lores.pdf Shelf Number: 128748 Keywords: Kerb-crawlingMale Sex Workers (U.K.)ProstitutesProstitution |
Author: Immordino, Giovanni Title: Regulating Prostitution: Theory and Evidence from Italy Summary: We build an equilibrium model of prostitution where clients and sex workers choose to demand and supply sex under three legal regimes: prohibition, regulation and laissez-faire. The key feature is the endogenous evaluation of the risk as a consequence of policy changes. We calibrate the model to empirical evidence from Italy and then compare the effect of different policies on the equilibrium quantity of prostitution and on the harm associated with it. Details: Naples, Italy: CSEF - Centre for Studies in Economics and Finance, Department of Economics, University of Naples, 2012. 50p. Source: Internet Resource: Working Paper No. 308: Accessed May 30, 2013 at: http://www.csef.it/wp/wp308.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Italy URL: http://www.csef.it/wp/wp308.pdf Shelf Number: 128852 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitution (Italy)Sex Workers |
Author: Sahni, Rohini Title: Sex Work and its Linkages with Informal Labour Markets in India Summary: Based on the results of the First Pan India Survey of Female Sex Workers (n=3000), this paper positions sex work within the broader spectrum of informal labour markets that women engage with in India. It puts forth an important dimension missing so far in sex work studies in India – of sex workers with prior or simultaneous labour market work experience. Informal labour markets act as important sites/junctures linking poverty with sex work. For a substantial proportion of respondents, sex work was not their first experience of paid work. In the face of poverty and an early quest for livelihoods, they were pushed into informal labour activities, characterised by low, sticky wages and imminent possibilities of abuse. Placed in this context, their later entry into sex work emerges with a strong economic rationale and agency, as a deliberate, calculated choice offering higher incomes. Details: Brighton, UK: Institute of Development Studies, 2013. 51p. Source: Internet Resource: IDS Working Paper Volume 2013, No. 416: Accessed July 6, 2013 at: http://www.ids.ac.uk/files/dmfile/Wp416.pdf Year: 2013 Country: India URL: http://www.ids.ac.uk/files/dmfile/Wp416.pdf Shelf Number: 126264 Keywords: PovertyProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers (India)Socioeconomic Status |
Author: Hunt, Sarah Title: Violence in the Lives of Sexually Exploited Youth and Adult Sex Workers in BC Summary: Violence in the Lives of Sexually Exploited Youth and Adult Sex Workers in BC was a research project conducted by community-based researchers at the Justice Institute of BC. Sarah Hunt, Natalie Clark and Melanie Mark visited 5 areas of BC during 2005, talking to people about violence in their communities. The communities they visited included Victoria, Campbell River, Kamloops, Terrace, and Prince George, as well as the smaller communities surrounding these 5 locations. These communities were chosen for the project based on an expressed need to focus on rural realities rather than larger cities such as Vancouver that have well-established resources for addressing sexual exploitation and sex work. The researchers interviewed youth and adults about their experiences as victims or witnesses of violence and talked to front-line workers, police and others about the role that the justice system plays in the lives of victims who have been sexually exploited or who work in the sex trade. This report is intended to provide a provincial overview of violence in the lives of sexually exploited youth and adult sex workers in BC, to review the informal and formal supports that are available, and to identify what communities can do to better respond to this violence. This final report has been divided in to the following sections: Project Overview and Background outlines the goals and purpose of the research, the methodology developed for the project, the role of community advisories and the involvement of experiential youth and adults. Provincial Overview includes three sections: Focus on Violence, Focus on Formal and Informal Community Supports, and Focus on the Justice System. These sections are intended to identify provincial themes, connections between communities, key barriers to reporting violence, and common experiences of those involved in the sex trade or sexual exploitation. Community Summaries includes individual summaries of the research findings in each community. The individual community sections outline local issues, recent trends, local resources, and community-based strategies. Provincial Recommendations and Next Steps provide suggested points of action for communities across BC, drawing upon the “best practices” identified in the Prince George court cases and other strategies that can be applied to any community in BC. In the Appendices we have provided further documents from the research, including the question guides and other useful tools. Details: Vancouver, BC: Justice Institute of British Columbia, Centre for Leadership and Community Learning, 2006. 78p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 5, 2013 at: http://www.peers.bc.ca/images/violence_report1106.pdf Year: 2006 Country: Canada URL: http://www.peers.bc.ca/images/violence_report1106.pdf Shelf Number: 107074 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers (Canada)Sexual Violence |
Author: Miles, Siobhan Title: Butterfly Longitudinal Research Project, a Chab Dai Study on (Re-)integration: Researching the Lifecycle of Sexual Exploitation & Trafficking in Cambodia. End of Year Progress Report 2012 Summary: This is the third end of year progress report for the Butterfly Longitudinal Research Project, a Chab Dai Study on (Re-)integration: Researching the Lifecycle of Sexual Exploitation & Trafficking in Cambodia. The purpose of this report is to communicate progress and findings for 2012. Recruitment of participants was closed in December 2011 and the sample size has been set at 128 participants. An average of 107 participants attended each of the three field visits conducted throughout the year. During 2012, because the sample size was large enough, and remained stable across the research time frame, more significant statistical analysis was possible than the previous year. Although the majority of study participants were still in their respective assistance programs (APs), whether residential (RP) or community programs (CPs), a larger number have also begun the reintegration process, and 5% have completed reintegration; that is, they are no longer part of any assistance program. The overriding objective of the Butterfly Longitudinal Research is to better understand, from the participants’ perspectives, what the (re-)integration process is like for them over a ten-year period. Our purpose is to understand what makes them more resilient and what makes them more vulnerable, yet at this early point in the longitudinal study such conclusions are not yet possible. We have used a mixed methods approach to enquire about the participants’ current perceptions, views and experiences, and about their expectations for the futures. A small number of participants voluntarily described some of their experiences before their sexual exploitation. Details: Phnom Penh, Cambodia: Chab Dai Coalition, 2013. 114p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 6, 2013 at: http://www.childrecovery.info/fileadmin/pdf/Butterfly_Annual_Report_2012-1__1_.pdf Year: 2013 Country: Cambodia URL: http://www.childrecovery.info/fileadmin/pdf/Butterfly_Annual_Report_2012-1__1_.pdf Shelf Number: 129562 Keywords: Child Sexual Exploitation (Cambodia)Human TraffickingProstitutesProstitutionReintegration, Human Trafficking VictimsSexual Exploitation |
Author: Bindel, Julie Title: Capital Exploits: A Study of Prostitution and Trafficking in London Summary: This report examines changing trends and patterns in prostitution and trafficking for the purposes of prostitution across London. The study, published by Eaves for Women was commissioned by the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) in the context of their Violence Against Women and Girls strategy, and is based on six months of intensive research in the capital. Some of its key findings include the following: There is an inconsistent police and local authority approach to addressing prostitution across London which has a negative and harmful impact on the women involved. Services often fail to identify that a woman accessing support may be involved in prostitution and therefore do not refer her to specialist support. Local residents are increasingly calling on police and local authorities to switch tactics and to target pimps, gangs and controllers instead of targeting and criminalising the women being exploited. There has been an increase in non-British women and girls selling sex on-street. The gap between street and off-street prostitution is narrowing. Many women are involved in both. Girls under 18 have been identified as being prostituted and trafficked within some London boroughs. In some boroughs trafficked women are now being controlled by criminal gangs in on-street prostitution as well as off-street. The study finds plentiful evidence that London continues to have a thriving sex industry, with prostitution clearly in evidence in almost every borough. It also identifies a huge variation and often contradictory approaches to addressing the issue – with some boroughs tackling prostitution as violence against women and providing those involved with support to exit, whilst others arrest and criminalise women, and some take measures to challenge men’s demand for prostitution. Details: London: Eaves, 2013. 99p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 8, 2013 at: http://i1.cmsfiles.com/eaves/2013/06/Capital-Exploits-June-2013.pdf-da8819.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://i1.cmsfiles.com/eaves/2013/06/Capital-Exploits-June-2013.pdf-da8819.pdf Shelf Number: 129582 Keywords: Human TraffickingProstitutesProstitution (London, U.K.)Sexual Exploitation |
Author: Atkins, Helen Title: ‘What Judges Think About Prostitution’: Assessing the considerations and measures employed by members of the judiciary for sentencing women who sell sex Summary: Criminal justice responses to prostitution have existed in Britain for centuries. In recent decades, the landscape has transformed dramatically and continues to do so at a rapid pace. The advancement of mobile communications and transnational travel, the feminisation of globalisation – women migrants outnumbering their male counterparts, shifting attitudes towards sexuality and paid sex, and the evolution of a contemporary counter‐trafficking movement have all contributed to the composition of the early 21st century sex industry. Despite the confluence of these unequivocally modern elements, an ancient debate concerned with the legitimacy and morality of prostitution persists unabated. Interpretations of choice and coercion, how these factors impact upon entry into and departure from the sex industry, and how they should be measured, analysed and incorporated into policy and practice dominate the philosophical and practical terrain. It is not the purpose of this report to examine legal, social or political issues within the parameters of a wider ethics debate, but rather to focus upon one critical aspect of justice in relation to prostitution. Through their analysis and application of the law, judges are uniquely positioned to affect outcomes for women who pass through the criminal justice system as a result of prostitution. The role of the judiciary is therefore central in securing appropriate responses for women who sell sex. Details: London: The Griffins Society, 2010. 53p. Source: Internet Resource: Research Paper 2010/02: Accessed August 22, 2013 at: http://www.thegriffinssociety.org/Griffins_Report_2010_02_FULL%20-%20updated_Apr13.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.thegriffinssociety.org/Griffins_Report_2010_02_FULL%20-%20updated_Apr13.pdf Shelf Number: 129668 Keywords: JudgesProstitutesProstitution (U.K.)SentencingSex IndustrySex Workers |
Author: x:talk project Title: Human Rights, Sex Work and the Challenge of Trafficking: Human Rights Impact Assessment of Anti-Trafficking Policy in the UK Summary: This report was produced by the x:talk project and the main findings reflect the experiences and views of people working in the sex industry in London. The x:talk project is a grassroots sex worker rights network made up of people working in the sex industry and allies. In addition to providing free English classes to migrant sex workers, we support critical interventions around issues of migration, race, gender, sexuality and labour, we participate in feminist and anti-racist campaigns and we are active in the struggle for the rights of sex workers in London, the UK and globally. The x:talk project has been developed from our experiences as workers in the sex industry. x:talk is sex worker-led not because we think that being a 'sex worker' is a fixed identity, but because we believe that those who experience the material conditions of the sex industry are in the best position to know how to change it. This report demonstrates that for the human rights of sex workers to be protected and for instances of trafficking to be dealt with in an effective and appropriate manner, the co-option of anti-trafficking discourse in the service of both an abolitionist approach to sex work and an anti-immigration agenda has to end. Instead there needs to be a shift at the policy, legal and administrative levels to reflect an understanding that the women, men and transgender people engaged in commercial sexual services are engaged in a labour process. The existing focus in anti-trafficking policy on migration, law enforcement and on the sex industry does not address the needs, choices and agency of trafficked people, whether they work in the sex industry or elsewhere, and prevents migrant and non-migrant people working in the sex industry from asserting fundamental rights. Details: London: x:talk project, 2010. 62p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 28, 2013 at: http://www.xtalkproject.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/reportfinal1.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.xtalkproject.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/reportfinal1.pdf Shelf Number: 131492 Keywords: Human RightsHuman TraffickingProstitutesProstitutionSex Work (U.K.) |
Author: Coetzee, Jenny Title: Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare Services for Female Street- and - Hotel-Based Sgex Summary: Sex work is a crime in South Africa. With the prevalence and deleterious social and economic effects of HIV, in health literature sex work has often been understood in relation to the way that it intersects with the transmission of the epidemic. This positioning of sex work then inadvertently stigmatises sex workers who are often cast outside the rights-based discourses that characterise South Africa's post-apartheid democracy. In order to address this problem, this study explored the perceived barriers and facilitators to sex workers' accessing sexual and reproductive healthcare (SRHC), gaps in the current service offerings relating to sex worker's sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and the general experiences of SRHC amongst 11 female sex workers in Johannesburg, South Africa. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with these sex workers, who were based in Johannesburg City Deep. The resultant data were transcribed and subjected to a thematic analysis. The study shows that various structural and individual level barriers are perceived to prevent access to SRH. In particular, the analysis suggests that the disease-specific focus on sex worker-specific projects poses a barrier to sex workers' accessing a complete range of SRHC services. Violence enacted by healthcare professionals, police and clients fuelled a lack of trust in the healthcare sector and displaced the participants from their basic human rights. It is also worrying that religion posed a threat to effective SRHC because some religious discourses label sex workers as sinners who are perceived to be excluded from forgiveness and healing. Finally, motherhood proved to be a point at which the participants actively managed their health and engaged with and in broad-based SRHC. Participants frequently only sought SRHC at the point at which an ailment affected their livelihood and ability to provide for a family. Taken together, these findings seem to show a range of formidable challenges to sex workers' understanding of themselves in a human rights discourse. This study's findings are of particular importance to rethinking the legislation that criminalises sex work, as well as healthcare initiatives geared both towards sex workers and women in general. Details: Johannesburg: University of the Witwatersrand, 2012. 160p. Source: Internet Resource: Thesis: Accessed November 11, 2013 at: http://wiredspace.wits.ac.za/bitstream/handle/10539/13033/COETZEE%20DISSERTATION%20FEBRUARY%202013%20(9711129v)%20FINAL%20SUBMISSION%20WITH%20REVISIONS%20V1.pdf?sequence=1 Year: 2012 Country: South Africa URL: http://wiredspace.wits.ac.za/bitstream/handle/10539/13033/COETZEE%20DISSERTATION%20FEBRUARY%202013%20(9711129v)%20FINAL%20SUBMISSION%20WITH%20REVISIONS%20V1.pdf?sequence=1 Shelf Number: 131624 Keywords: Health CareProstitutesProstitutionSex Work (South Africa)Sex Workers |
Author: Barefoot Research and Evaluation Title: Sex Markets in Teesside Summary: This is a study into the extent and dynamics of the adult sex market in Teesside, covering the four local authority areas of Middlesbrough, Stockton, Redcar and Cleveland and Hartlepool. It presents a snapshot of information between 2012 and 2013. This work was commissioned by Northern Rock Foundation under its Safety and Justice Programme. Sexual exploitation is a priority in this programme and the Foundation wished to better understand how related issues manifested themselves in this area. This first study focuses exclusively on adults; a second report will be published in 2014 looking at the sexual exploitation of children across Teesside. The study makes a series of key findings: - Prostitution takes place across all four local authority areas, with the highest numbers in Middlesbrough and Stockton. There are local differences including on street sex markets in Middlesbrough and Stockton and off street markets in all areas. - There is both male and female prostitution in all local authority areas: there are more women involved in survival sex than in commercial prostitution (n=268 and 221 respectively); there are more men involved in commercial prostitution compared to survival sex (n=107 and 35 respectively). - There are different age profiles of women involved: younger women tend to be involved in commercial prostitution (most within the 18 to 25 age bracket); and older women tend to be involved in survival sex (most within the 26 to 35 age range). There are no significant differences in male age patterns. - Most survival sex is linked to substance abuse. Patterns of abuse (i.e. decline or increase usage) across Teesside are mostly unchanged since 2006 (there may be a small increase in usage). - The most prominent themes associated with prostitution are: substance misuse; the experience of violence (in many cases this is severe violence); poor accommodation or homelessness; poor health; removal of children into care; and debt. - Many of those involved in survival sex were first sexually exploited when they were under 16 years of age. - It is difficult to exit prostitution, with the influencing factors being: addictions; lack of money earning potential and debt; regular punters; partners/pimps; and poor accommodation (often with partners/pimps). - The strongest service need for women involved in prostitution is suitable accommodation, followed by drug treatment, counselling and employment and training. Details: Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK: Northern Rock Foundation, 2013. 75p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 19, 2014 at: http://www.nr-foundation.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Sex-Markets-in-Teesside-Public-Document.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.nr-foundation.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Sex-Markets-in-Teesside-Public-Document.pdf Shelf Number: 132064 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers |
Author: Schulze, Erika Title: Sexual Exploitation and Prostitution and its Impact on Gender Equality Summary: The objective of this briefing paper is to provide background information drawn from the international literature on sexual exploitation and prostitution and its impact on gender equality in relation to the report of the Women's Rights and Gender Equality Committee. The study concentrates on the debate on whether prostitution could be voluntary or has rather to be regarded in any case as a violation of women's human rights. It also presents an overview of the policies on prostitution in the Member States as well as four case studies: Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and Sweden. Conclusions are presented with the view to enhance the debate. Details: Brussels: European Parliament, 2014. 89p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 5, 2014 at: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/etudes/join/2014/493040/IPOL-FEMM_ET(2014)493040_EN.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Europe URL: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/etudes/join/2014/493040/IPOL-FEMM_ET(2014)493040_EN.pdf Shelf Number: 132245 Keywords: Gender Human RightsHuman TraffickingProstitutesProstitutionSex TraffickingSexual Exploitation |
Author: All-Party Parliamentary Group on Prostitution and the Global Sex Trade Title: Shifting the Burden: Inquiry to assess the operation of the current legal settlement on prostitution in England and Wales Summary: The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Prostitution and the Global Sex Trade was formed in 2008. The group's purpose is twofold: 1. to raise awareness around the impact of the sale of sexual services on those involved 2. to develop proposals for government action with a focus on tackling demand for the sex trade. The last major government consideration of prostitution law was the Home Office Review on Tackling Demand for Prostitution in 2008, which was followed by the changes brought in by the Policing and Crime Act 2009. Since then, the focus of government has been on practical approaches rather than on the law. Whilst identifying and sharing good practice is a valuable exercise, the APPG felt that more must be done at a legislative level to address the gendered imbalance of harm that exists within prostitution. Therefore the APPG felt it necessary to commission a parliamentary Inquiry to assess the operation of the current legal settlement, and to identify whether legislation to tackle demand might safeguard those in danger of exploitation and abuse. Key Findings The Inquiry received 413 submissions of evidence from individuals including those with personal experience of prostitution, those who are working to provide support through agencies and organisations, and members of Police forces and local councils. When asked about the current legal settlement, only 7% of respondents to the question considered the current laws on prostitution to be effective and consistent in safeguarding those involved in prostitution.3 When assessing the written and oral evidence, the Inquiry focused on how the law operates at four critical levels: legislation, policing and enforcement, entry into and exit from prostitution, and cultural attitudes. The Inquiry found that at each of these four levels the law is incoherent at best and detrimental at worst. The legal settlement around prostitution sends no clear signals to women who sell sex, men who purchase it, courts and the criminal justice system, the police or local authorities. In practice, those who sell sexual services coercion and violence. This serves to normalise the purchase and stigmatise the sale of sexual services - and undermines efforts to minimise entry into and promote exit from prostitution. Moreover, legislation does not adequately address the gendered imbalance of harm within prostitution, and as such is detrimental to wider strategies which pursue gender equality. Details: London: All-Party Parliamentary Group on Prostitution and the Global Sex Trade, 2014. 64p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 8, 2014 at: http://prostitutionresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/UK-shifting-the-burden-Mar-2014.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://prostitutionresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/UK-shifting-the-burden-Mar-2014.pdf Shelf Number: 132305 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitution (U.K.)Sex TraffickingSex WorkSexual Exploitation |
Author: Coumans, Sara Vida Title: How Age Matters: Exploring Contemporary Dutch Debates on Age and Sex Work Summary: Social protection policies regarding sex work in The Netherlands use 'age' as an instrument to create binaries between adults and young people. The concept 'chronological age' assumes that age is a static feature and supports the process of categorization; however, age is a socially constructed phenomenon and has an embodied experience that is gendered. The objective of this research is to understand the role of 'age' in shaping social protection policies regarding sex work in The Netherlands, by analyzing how age is understood by those involved in the design and implementation of policies related to sex work in The Netherlands. Details: The Hague: Institute of Social Studies, 2014. 51p. Source: Internet Resource: ISS Working Paper Series / General Series , No. 588: Accessed June 14, 2014 at: http://repub.eur.nl/pub/51411 Year: 2014 Country: Netherlands URL: http://repub.eur.nl/pub/51411 Shelf Number: 132455 Keywords: AgeHuman TraffickingProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers (Netherlands)Sexual Exploitation |
Author: Brown, Laura Title: Cycles of Harm: Problematic Alcohol Use Amongst Women Involved in Prostitution Summary: Research by Eaves and London South Bank University, Breaking down the barriers (Bindel, Brown, Easton, Matthews and Reynolds, forthcoming), identified problematic drug and/or alcohol use as the most common barrier (obstacle) faced by women exiting prostitution. Following the completion of this study, Eaves obtained funding from Alcohol Research UK to explore this barrier with greater depth, focusing specifically on problematic alcohol use. This new research aimed to: - Look at why and when women involved in prostitution use alcohol problematically - Explore and compare the ways in which women involved in different aspects of the sex industry use alcohol - Explore the different ways in which women use alcohol and how this relates to their involvement in prostitution and impacts on exiting - Enable practitioners working with women involved in prostitution who have problematic alcohol use to gain a better understanding of the relationship between the two, thereby informing more effective interventions. Details: London: Alcohol Research UK, 2013. 45p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 17, 2014 at: http://alcoholresearchuk.org/downloads/finalReports/FinalReport_0108.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://alcoholresearchuk.org/downloads/finalReports/FinalReport_0108.pdf Shelf Number: 132490 Keywords: Alcohol AbuseProstitutesSex Workers |
Author: Savvidas, Dimitris Title: Male Prostitution and the Homoerotic Sex-market in Early Modern England Summary: This thesis explores male prostitution in early modern culture and calls for a reconsideration of linguistic representations of sodomy and homoeroticism in literary and historical criticism. It argues that as a variant expression of homoeroticism, its examination unfolds significant ideological and cultural implications for established perceptions of male relations. As instructed by classical textuality and misogynistic stigmatization of prostitution, the boy prostitute becomes a relational category that eludes easy classification, emerging syntactically alongside the female whore in English culture. Adopting a social constructionist approach, this dissertation traces male prostitution's ambivalent representational properties in various genres and discourses, namely poetry, plays, historical narratives, theatre historiography, defamation accounts, philosophical diatribes and lexicography. The diverse vocabulary employed to describe homoerotic relations and identities is closely scrutinised in order to expose the metaphoricity and ambiguity embedded in such terms as 'Ganymede', 'ingle', 'mignon' and 'catamite'. An analysis of the terminology demonstrates the ways in which discursive systems of language, within specific historical and cultural contexts, have facilitated the concomitant textual emergence of the sodomite with the male prostitute. The Introduction establishes the theoretical framework through which male prostitution from the medieval period until the mid-twentieth century has been discussed in twentieth-century criticism. Chapter One assesses its textual appearance in early modern Italy, France and Spain, while it sets the parameters for its examination in seventeenth-century England. Chapter Two analyses the representation of the male prostitute in Donne's, Marston's and Middleton's satires and Chapter Three examines the theatrical institution and the ways in which theatre historiography misdirects discussions on sodomy and prostitution. The penultimate chapter focuses on textual constructions of the male prostitute in educational contexts and the final chapter addresses possible interrelations between prostitution, servitude, favouritism and friendship as represented within lexicography, slanderous discourse and historical narratives on King James and Francis Bacon. Details: Brighton, UK: University of Sussex, 2011. 280p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: http://sro.sussex.ac.uk/7453/1/Savvidis,_Dimitris.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://sro.sussex.ac.uk/7453/1/Savvidis,_Dimitris.pdf Shelf Number: 133009 Keywords: Male ProstitutionProstitutesProstitution in Literature |
Author: Beckett, Katherine Title: Seattle's Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion Program: Lessons Learned from the First Two Years Summary: Seattle's Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program is the first known pre-booking diversion program for people arrested on narcotics and prostitution charges in the United States. Launched in October 2011, LEAD is the product of a multi-year collaboration involving a wide range of organizations, including The Defender Association's Racial Disparity Project, the Seattle Police Department, the ACLU of Washington, the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, the Seattle City Attorney's office, the King County Sheriff's Office, Evergreen Treatment Services, the King County Executive, the Washington State Department of Corrections, and others. This report draws on a number of data sources to provide an overview of LEAD's principles and operations, and to distill important lessons about what has - and has not - worked well in the first two years of LEAD's operations. The hope is that identification of these lessons will be useful to those interested in replicating LEAD in other jurisdictions or in enhancing its operations in Seattle. After briefly describing LEAD's principles and operations, the report identifies key "lessons learned." These are presented in four different categories: getting started; training; communication; and the transformation of institutional relationships. Each of these lessons is briefly described. Details: Seattle: University of Washington, Law, Societies & Justice Program, 2014. 52p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 25, 2014 at: http://www.seattle.gov/council/Harrell/attachments/process%20evaluation%20final%203-31-14.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: http://www.seattle.gov/council/Harrell/attachments/process%20evaluation%20final%203-31-14.pdf Shelf Number: 133419 Keywords: Alternatives to IncarcerationDrug OffendersOffender Diversion ProgramProstitutesTreatment Programs |
Author: Abel, Gillian Title: Decriminalisation: A harm minimisation and human rights approach to regulating sex work. Summary: This thesis takes a community-based participatory approach, using mixed methods to examine the impact of the decriminalisation of sex work in New Zealand through the lens of a public health discourse of harm minimisation. The key question addressed in this thesis is whether decriminalisation has minimised the harms experienced by sex workers. Rather than taking a narrow view of harm minimisation and looking merely at the practices of sex workers, I have taken a more holistic stance, taking into account structural social issues which contribute to the health and wellbeing of sex workers. Data were collected through a survey of 772 sex workers and in-depth interviews with 58 sex workers in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Napier and Nelson. Estimates were done of the number of sex workers in these cities which show little change post-decriminalisation compared to estimates done prior to decriminalisation. There has been some change in the shape of the industry with more people working privately in the suburbs and fewer in the brothels and escort agencies but little change in size of the street-based sector. Such minimal change in the size of the sex industry is not surprising as the underlying motivations for working in this industry have not changed in a decriminalised environment. As this thesis demonstrates, structural factors (such as economic climate, employment opportunities, welfare, housing and sickness benefits) are associated with the entry into sex work rather than the way the industry is regulated. Theories of social exclusion and stigma are utilised in the thesis to show how sex workers have been cast predominantly as a deviant population, associated with disease, crime and drugs. The media often make use of these associations in reporting on sex workers, which leads to heightened public anxiety and campaigns to exclude sex workers from society. Even in a decriminalised environment in New Zealand, such campaigns continue, which has meant that although decriminalisation has given sex workers in New Zealand human rights, they continue to experience stigmatisation. This thesis found that sex workers have poorer self-reported mental health than the general population of New Zealand and some of this poorer perceived mental health could be due to their ongoing stigmatisation. This is not to say that decriminalisation has not been a success. As this thesis demonstrates, sex workers in New Zealand have more control over their work environment, including their safety and their sexual health, since the passing of the Prostitution Reform Act (2003). The Act has given them legal, employment and occupational health and safety rights which has made it easier to negotiate services and safer sex with clients, has made it easier for managed sex workers to refuse to see certain clients without penalties from management and has improved the relationship between sex workers and police. The fact that sex workers can make use of the law has given them a sense of legitimacy and respectability which was absent under laws that criminalised them. The provision of human rights to sex workers through the decriminalisation of the sex industry has led to the minimisation of harm to New Zealand sex workers Details: Dunedin, NZ: University of Otago, 2010. 442p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed October 15, 2014 at: http://myweb.dal.ca/mgoodyea/Documents/CSWRP/CSWRPANZ/Gillian%20Abel%20PhD.pdf Year: 2010 Country: New Zealand URL: http://myweb.dal.ca/mgoodyea/Documents/CSWRP/CSWRPANZ/Gillian%20Abel%20PhD.pdf Shelf Number: 133921 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers (New Zealand) |
Author: Byron, Jamie Lynn Title: Prostitution regulation: monitoring strategies and their implications for sex workers Summary: With the goal of determining the most appropriate and effective methods of monitoring prostitution, this paper explores current legislation and its effect on prostitutes, clients, and communities. After a brief discussion of proposed justifications for the criminalization of prostitution, and the implications of legislating morality, the lifestyles and difficulties faced by women working in the sex industry will be addressed. These topics will culminate in a discussion of the various law enforcement and non-law enforcement strategies that are used to monitor prostitution, and the effectiveness and moral implications of these methods. This analysis leads the author to conclude that prostitutes, clients, and communities would strongly benefit from the legalization or decriminalization of prostitution. Details: Boston: Northeastern University, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, 2014. 60p. Source: Internet Resource: Thesis: Accessed October 15, 2014 at: http://iris.lib.neu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1002&context=criminal_justice_theses Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://iris.lib.neu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1002&context=criminal_justice_theses Shelf Number: 133919 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers (U.S.) |
Author: Taylor, Julie Lynn Title: Prostitution Policy and the Function of Silence: The Communicative Constitution of a Clandestine (Un)Organization Summary: While often hailed as the world's oldest profession, prostitution is most commonly considered an illegal activity. As such, prostitution operates as a hidden organization relying on covert organizing processes in order to function. However, this reality begs the question of how hidden organizations operate and (re)produce. Through feminist post-structuralism and communication as constitutive to organizing, the research questions in this study ask how discourse(s) communicatively constitute prostitution and with what unintended consequences. Using local prostitution policies and in-depth interviews, data analysis revealed that policy-as-written and policy-as-practice are disparate in the communicative construction of organizing prostitution. Moreover, discourse is examined through both talk and silence. As a result systematic and pervasive silence(s) organized networks of prostitution in new ways. In the end, prostitution is highlighted as an organized network or rather an (un)organization. Details: Salt Lake City: University of Utah, 2014. 196p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed October 15, 2014 at: http://content.lib.utah.edu/utils/getfile/collection/etd3/id/3098/filename/3099.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: http://content.lib.utah.edu/utils/getfile/collection/etd3/id/3098/filename/3099.pdf Shelf Number: 133916 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitution (U.S.)Sex Workers |
Author: Kohm, Steven A. Title: Sex Work and City Planning: Winnipeg's Red Light District Committee and the Regulation of Prostitution Summary: In November of 1999, a Manitoba Provincial Court decision called into question the City of Winnipeg's ability to regulate off-street prostitution through its municipal licencing by-law for escort services. The result was a lengthy process that saw the city establish a volunteer committee to investigate the regulation of the sex trade in Winnipeg and make recommendations about what could be done in the future. This paper examines the process by which the volunteer committee arrived at its recommendations, and the resulting response from city bureaucrats and officials within the provincial Department of Justice. In the end, most of the committee's recommendations did not result in any concrete action by the city or province, and perhaps the most significant one - the creation of a new city by-law to regulate the industry - is, nearly two years later, still in the planning phase. In the meantime, the province has put into place a tough new law to deal with the sex and drug trade. At present, the city has yet to address the key concern of the court decision that began the process over three years ago: the development of a clear set of regulations for an industry badly in need of closer monitoring and supervision. Details: Winnipeg: University of Winnipeg, Institute of Urban Studies, 2004. 21p. Source: Internet Resource: Research and Working Paper # 42: Accessed October 15, 2014 at: http://www.uwinnipeg.ca/faculty/ius/iusweb/pdf/Kohm_Selwood_ResearchWorkingPaper42.pdf Year: 2004 Country: Canada URL: http://www.uwinnipeg.ca/faculty/ius/iusweb/pdf/Kohm_Selwood_ResearchWorkingPaper42.pdf Shelf Number: 133884 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitution (Canada)Sex TradeSex Workers |
Author: Danford, Nicholas Title: Bylaws and Brothels: An analysis of Toronto's adult entertainment governance strategy Summary: Planning for the adult entertainment and sex industry is incredibly controversial. Issues of morality, safety, and health all play major roles on where adult entertainment and sex establishments should be located in cities. Given the municipal government's role in land-use planning it holds strategic position to influence where legal bawdy-houses (brothels) are located. Municipalities have taken a variety of approaches to regulating the location of adult entertainment establishments. As more jurisdictions legalize brothels, municipalities will need to ensure that these establishments are located in the optimal location to ensure safety and security for the workers, their patrons, and the general public. The report has taken an investigative nature and has identified areas for Toronto to develop and improve policies and governance tools related to regulating the sex industry, more specifically inclusion of brothels as a type of sex establishment. The recommendations of this report are geared to municipal decision makers and aim to begin the discussion and set out a strategic direction on this important and pressing planning topic. It is also important, however, that the political climate is considered prior to implementation of any of the recommendations outlined in this report. It is imperative for the safety of the community, sex workers, and their clients that municipalities begin this policy discussion now. It is clear that, although not at the forefront of municipal policy-makers, this topic is of interest. Details: Kingston, ON: Queen's University, 2013. 74p. Source: Internet Resource: Thesis: Accessed October 15, 2014 at: http://qspace.library.queensu.ca/handle/1974/7987 Year: 2013 Country: Canada URL: http://qspace.library.queensu.ca/handle/1974/7987 Shelf Number: 133911 Keywords: BrothelsProstitutesProstitutionSex IndustrySex Workers (Toronto) |
Author: Young Women's Empowerment Project Title: Girls do what they have to do to survive: methods used by girls in the sex trade and street economy to fight back and heal Summary: This report summarises the research compiled by the Young Women's Empowerment Project in Chicago (United States) about violence & resistance for girls involved in the sex trade. It also examines attitudes and practices for harm reduction, self care, advocacy, and empowerment. Contents Include: -Youth Activist Summary -About YWEP -Our Research -The Learning Questions -Research Design & Data Collection -Demographic Information -The Findings -Our thoughts -Next steps -Tool Kit -What you need to know about girls in the sex trade -Vocabulary Details: Chicago: Young Women's Empowerment Project, 2009. 21p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 15, 2014 at: http://www.nswp.org/sites/nswp.org/files/Girls%20do%20what%20they%20have%20to%20do%20to%20survive%20A%20study%20of%20resilience%20and%20resistance.pdf Year: 2009 Country: United States URL: http://www.nswp.org/sites/nswp.org/files/Girls%20do%20what%20they%20have%20to%20do%20to%20survive%20A%20study%20of%20resilience%20and%20resistance.pdf Shelf Number: 133883 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitutionSex TradeSex Workers (U.S.) |
Author: Niemi, Johanna Title: Abuse of a victim of sex trade. Evaluation of the Finnish sex purchase ban Summary: The report explores the effectiveness of the offence 'abuse of a victim of sex trade', (Criminal Code, chapter 20 section 8). Enacted in 2006, this provision prohibits the purchasing of sex from a victim of human trafficking or procuring. It is complemented by section 7 of the Public Order Act, which prohibits the purchasing and the offering for sale and selling of sex in a public place. The report also explores the situation in the UK and Sweden. Sweden has had a comprehensive sex purchase ban in place since 1999. Information on the situation in Sweden is available in a report published in 2010 and the annual reports of the National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Human Beings. The relevant legislation in the UK as reformed in 2009 closely resembles the Finnish corresponding legislation. Because no study of the effectiveness of the British legislation has yet been conducted, interviews were conducted to gain a better picture. The situation in Finland was explored through statistics and register data, interviews with 18 experts and a review of court documents. Statistics show that between 2006 and 2013, a total of 379 cases of 'abuse of a victim of sex trade' were registered by the police. Charges were brought against 49 persons and tried. The district courts have sentenced 42 persons for 'abuse of a victim of sex trade' or an attempt thereof. The default fine has been established at 20 day-fines. Fines for purchasing and selling sex, pursuant to the Public Order Act, were imposed in 106 cases between 2003 and 2011. Most of these fines were imposed on the sellers. Investigating and proving 'abuse of a victim of sex trade' has turned out to be challenging. The report concludes with recommendations. Details: Helsinki: Finland Ministry of Justice, 2014. 137p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 17, 2014 at: http://oikeusministerio.fi/material/attachments/om/julkaisut/FMVCU3esJ/OMSO_13_2014_Sex_136_s_korjattu.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Finland URL: http://oikeusministerio.fi/material/attachments/om/julkaisut/FMVCU3esJ/OMSO_13_2014_Sex_136_s_korjattu.pdf Shelf Number: 133740 Keywords: Human TraffickingProstitutesProstitutionSex TradeSex TraffickingSex Workers (Finland)Sexual ViolenceVictims of Crimes |
Author: Autres Regards Title: Outreach in Indoor Sex Work Settings. Summary: The last ten years have seen considerable changes to sex work settings in many European cities. Indoor sex work is a developing sector. This development can be partly explained by the increased use of new technologies in selling sexual services and by the repressive political agenda regarding sex workers, currently widespread in numerous European cities. This report is based on the mapping of the indoor sex work sector in the nine European cities of the INDOORS project: Amsterdam, Genoa, Hamburg, Helsinki, Madrid, Marseille, Porto, Sofia, and Vienna. The indoor venues vary from one city to another. The venues most frequently encountered during the course of this project were clubs, apartments, massage parlours, brothels, Laufhauser, bars, saunas, clubs, sex shops and windows. The information used in this mapping was collected by all partner organisations from the first quarter of 2011 to June 2012. Female, nontransgender sex workers were the main target but men and transgender indoor-based sex workers were also contacted. This report aims to give a comprehensive overview and analysis of the indoor prostitution scene, its settings, trends, specific needs, working and social conditions. While contributing to a better knowledge and understanding of the indoor sex work scenario, this report will help organisations working with and for sex workers to assess and address the specific needs of indoor sex workers, especially with regard to risk reduction Details: Marseille, France: Autres Regards, 2012. 128p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 30, 2014 at: http://tampep.eu/documents/Outreach_Report-Indoors_2.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Europe URL: http://tampep.eu/documents/Outreach_Report-Indoors_2.pdf Shelf Number: 133837 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitution (Europe)Sex Workers |
Author: Perrin, Benjamin Title: How to Make Canada's New Prostitution Laws Work Summary: Bill C-36 (Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act) marks a turning point in Canada's approach to addressing prostitution that was spurred by the Supreme Court of Canada decision in Canada (Attorney General) v. Bedford, which declared the old approach unconstitutional. This proposed legislation was recently passed by the House of Commons and has already been pre-studied by the Senate. It is expected to become law in the coming weeks. Under the new approach, prostitution is no longer considered merely a nuisance, but is recognized as inherently exploitative. While "johns," "pimps," and human traffickers are criminally liable, prostitutes generally are not. This is the right approach to this complex issue. It represents a major shift in how the harms of prostitution are characterized and confronted in the criminal law. It will require substantial work from governments, police, and civil society to ensure effective implementation. This brief Commentary highlights the major differences between the old and new approaches to addressing prostitution in Canada, discusses the anticipated Charter challenge to this new legislation that advocates for legalized/decriminalized prostitution have threatened, and identifies the next steps that are needed to ensure the effective implementation of Bill C-36. Details: Ottawa: Macdonald-Laurier Institute, 2014. 13p. Source: Internet Resource: Commentary: Accessed November 12, 2014 at: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2516028 Year: 2014 Country: Canada URL: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2516028 Shelf Number: 132058 Keywords: Criminal LawProstitutesProstitution (Canada)Sexual Exploitation |
Author: Anderson, Sarah Title: Street Talk: An evaluation of a counselling service for women involved in street based prostitution and victims of trafficking Summary: Street Talk is a small charity providing psychological interventions ('talking therapies') alongside practical support, primarily to two groups of women: women who have been the victims of trafficking and those women involved in or exiting street based prostitution. In 2012, Revolving Doors Agency was asked by Street Talk founder and director, Pippa Hockton, to conduct both a process and outcome evaluation of the Street Talk service. Field work for the evaluation commenced at the end of October 2012 and concluded in June 2013. Evaluation aims - Describe Street Talk model - Describe service user base and other key stakeholders - Determine extent to which service activities were delivered as intended and aligned to service aims and objectives - Describe processes of: building and maintaining partnership working arrangements; development of shared aims and objectives; target group identification and access; and client engagement and service delivery - Examine facilitators and barriers to project implementation within each host organisation - Identify perceived value and outcomes for partner host organisations and users of the service - Identify and describe Street Talk's "theory of change". Details: London: Revolving Doors Agency, 2013. 99p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 20, 2014 at: http://www.revolving-doors.org.uk/documents/street-talk-evaluation/ Year: 2013 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.revolving-doors.org.uk/documents/street-talk-evaluation/ Shelf Number: 134163 Keywords: Human TraffickingProstitutesProstitution (U.K.)Sex WorkersSexual Exploitation |
Author: Open Society Foundations Title: To Protect and Serve: How Police, Sex Workers, and People Who Use Drugs Are Joining Forces to Improve Health and Human Rights Summary: Around the world, sex workers and people who use drugs report that police are often a major impediment to accessing health and social services. Common police practices- - using condoms as evidence of prostitution, harassing drug users at needle exchange points, or confiscating medications for drug treatment- fuel the HIV epidemic by driving sex workers and drug users away from life-saving services. Emerging partnerships between police, health experts, and community groups are beginning to prove that law enforcement and HIV-prevention programs can work together to save lives while reducing crime. When successfully implemented, these programs reduce the risk of HIV and drug overdose, and protect the health and human rights of these communities. Through detailed case studies from Burma, Ghana, India, Kenya, and Kyrgyzstan, this report examines how public health-centered law enforcement can reduce the risk of HIV infections among sex workers and drug users. The lessons of more than two decades of the response to HIV are clear: Police reform and community-police cooperation are as crucial to HIV prevention among criminalized groups as a condom or a clean needle, and should be supported as a central part of HIV and AIDS programming Details: New York: Open Society Foundations, 2014. 58p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 25, 2014 at: http://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/sites/default/files/protect-serve-20140716.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Africa URL: http://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/sites/default/files/protect-serve-20140716.pdf Shelf Number: 134232 Keywords: Drug Abuse and AddictionDrug Abuse TreatmentHealth CarePolice-Community RelationsProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers (Africa) |
Author: Sex Worker Education and Advocacy Taskforce (SWEAT) Title: Estimating the Size of the Sex Worker Population in South Africa, 2013 Summary: The South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) is tasked with coordinating the country's response to HIV, TB and STIs across all government departments and civil society sectors, monitoring the implementation of the National Strategic Plan (NSP) aimed at responding to these three epidemics; as well as mobilising resources for the effective functioning of SANAC and the implementation of the NSP. SANAC recognises that, like the rest of the South African population where 5.6 million people are estimated to be living with HIV, sex workers are at a much higher risk of HIV, TB and STIs compared to the general population. As a result, it is important for our country to have programmes specifically tailor-made to target the health needs of this sector of society. In this light, the SANAC Secretariat is working with the SANAC Sex Worker Sector and numerous organisations providing advocacy and services for sex workers to establish a national programme for HIV prevention among sex workers and their clients and partners. Sex workers are highly vulnerable to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) due to multiple factors, including large numbers of sex partners, unsafe working conditions and barriers to the negotiation of consistent condom use. Moreover, sex workers often have little control over these factors because of social marginalisation and the restricted legal framework under which they are forced to work. Alcohol, drug use and violence further exacerbate their vulnerability and risk. HIV prevalence rates amongst female sex workers are thought to be as high as 59.6%1, compared to 13.3% amongst women in the general population. This calls for an urgent scaled-up, coordinated national HIV prevention programme for sex workers. However, when designing targeted interventions as part of an expanded and comprehensive response to HIV and AIDS, reliable information is required on the size of high-risk population groups such as this one. While South Africa is able to measure the level of risk behaviour and HIV and STI infection in sex workers, there is limited data to give an indication of the absolute size of this sub-population. Recognising this as a limitation, SANAC commissioned a sex worker size estimation study, and the results are presented in this report. The work was carried out by multiple partners under the leadership of the Sex Worker Education and Advocacy Task Force (SWEAT). Up until now, there have been various estimates of the number of sex workers in the country. The inaccuracy of these figures has proven to be a hindrance for programme planning and implementation. No concerted effort had ever been made to estimate the total size of the sex worker population in the country. This survey marks a new chapter in South Africas response to HIV and AIDS. It will provide the government and other stakeholders with data to make evidence-based decisions on how to create an enabling environment for the provision and accessibility of preventive services for sex workers in South Africa. The findings of this sex worker population size estimate will lead to concerted efforts for the design of comprehensive programming, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of targeted intervention programmes. Details: Observatory, South Africa: SWEAT, 2015. 40p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 21, 2015 at: http://www.health-e.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Sex-Workers-Size-Estimation-2013.pdf Year: 2015 Country: South Africa URL: http://www.health-e.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Sex-Workers-Size-Estimation-2013.pdf Shelf Number: 134431 Keywords: HIV (Viruses)ProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers (South Africa) |
Author: Dank, Meredith Title: Surviving the Streets of New York: Experiences of LGBTQ Youth, YMSM, and YWSW Engaged in Survival Sex Summary: Based on interviews with 283 youth in New York City, this is the first study to focus on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning (LGBTQ) youth; young men who have sex with men (YMSM); and young women who have sex with women (YWSW) who get involved in the commercial sex market in order to meet basic survival needs, such as food or shelter. The report documents these youth's experiences and characteristics to gain a better understanding of why they engage in survival sex, describes how the support networks and systems in their lives have both helped them and let them down, and makes recommendations for better meeting the needs of this vulnerable population. Details: Washington, DC: Urban Institute, 2015. 94p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 18, 2015 at: http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/2000119-Surviving-the-Streets-of-New-York.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/2000119-Surviving-the-Streets-of-New-York.pdf Shelf Number: 134958 Keywords: Gays, Lesbians and BisexualsProstitutesProstitution Sex WorkersYouth Homelessness |
Author: Young Women's Empowerment Project Title: Denied help! How youth in the sex trade and street economy are turned awary from systems meant to help us and what we are doing to fight back Summary: Why we started this research: We decided to do this research to show that we are not just objects that violence happens to - but that we are active participants in fighting back and bouncing back. We wanted to move away from the one-dimensional view of girls in the sex trade as only victims and look at all aspects of the situation: violence, our response to the violence, and how we fight back and heal on a daily basis. We build our community by figuring out how we can and do fight back collectively and the role of resilience in keeping girls strong enough to resist. Our research shows that girls in the sex trade face harm from both individuals and institutions. Nearly all the research we could find about girls in the sex trade only looks at individual violence. Many people seem to think that more institutions or social service systems is the solution. YWEP agrees that institutions can be helpful at times, but we also wanted to show the reality that we face: every day, girls are denied access to systems due to participation in the sex trade, being drug users, identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, or being undocumented. We know institutions and social services can and do cause harm in our lives. We present this research to show that the systems that claim to help girls are also causing harm. We want to show that girls in the sex trade are fighting back and healing on their own - within their communities and without relying upon systems. Details: Chicago: Young Women's Empowerment Project, 2012. 60p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 30, 2015 at: https://ywepchicago.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/bad-encounter-line-report-20121.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: https://ywepchicago.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/bad-encounter-line-report-20121.pdf Shelf Number: 135075 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitutionRapeSex TradeSex WorkersSexual Violence |
Author: Sagar, Tracey Title: The Student Sex Work Project Research Summary Summary: Student Sex Work Project was carried out over a three year period (June 2012 - June 2015). The project brought together key partners and agencies/organisations to work with student sex workers to enhance understanding on student involvement in the sex industry and to develop e-health services for student sex workers, as well as guidance and training for Higher Education (HE) and external stakeholders where appropriate. Furthermore, in reaching student sex workers, the project also targeted the broader student population and provided sexual health information to this cohort. The Student Sex Work Project thus clearly entailed far more than the acquisition of new knowledge. This report however focuses on the research element of the project only. It is anticipated that the project's experiences of service provision will be incorporated into future guidance and training packages. The project had two key research aims: 1. To generate new knowledge on student sex work across Wales specifically and the remainder of the UK generally. Particularly, we were interested in the extent and characteristics of students' engagement in the sex industry as well as their motivations, experiences and needs; 2. To consider the need for policy, guidance and training to encourage the provision of appropriate assistance and support for student sex workers (through services such as student wellbeing and student support within HE in Wales). Sex work is defined in terms of 'the exchange of sexual services, performances, or products for material compensation' (Weitzer 2010:1) and thus refers to a wide range of possible activities. Throughout the report distinction is made between direct sex work (popularly understood as 'prostitution') and indirect sex work (sexual services that do not involve a direct and intimate contact with a client such as erotic dancing, webcam services, porn acting, glamour modelling). In addition organisational and auxiliary roles within the sex industry are also taken into account (such as escort manager or receptionist in a parlour) when measuring the overall extent of students' involvement in the sex industry as a whole. Details: Swansea, Wales, UK: Swansea University, 2015. 44p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 16, 2015 at: http://www.thestudentsexworkproject.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/TSSWP-Research-Summary-English.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.thestudentsexworkproject.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/TSSWP-Research-Summary-English.pdf Shelf Number: 135255 Keywords: PornographyProstitutesProstitutionSex IndustrySex Workers (U.K.) |
Author: McIntyre, Susan Title: Buyer Beware: A study into the demand side of the sexual exploitation industry Summary: A total of 20 sex consumers were interviewed for this study between February 2010 and December 2011. Interview subjects were sourced from the Prostitution Offender Program in Winnipeg and Edmonton. Other interviewees were found through Sexual Addiction groups and word-of-mouth in Alberta. All interviews were conducted in confidential, safe locations. The Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) study's series of 10 questions were administered as part of the Buyer Beware interview process. The ACE study was a collaborative research project by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Dr. Robert Anda) and Kaiser Permanente Health Clinic of San Diego (Dr. Vincent Felitti). For the Buyer Beware study, the ACE study's questions were used as an icebreaker within the interviews. Details: Calgary, Alberta: Hindsight Group, 2012. 69p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 1, 2015 at: http://www.hindsightgroup.com/Resources/Documents/Final%20Report%20Nov%2015%20-%20FINAL%20(with%20TC).pdf Year: 2012 Country: Canada URL: http://www.hindsightgroup.com/Resources/Documents/Final%20Report%20Nov%2015%20-%20FINAL%20(with%20TC).pdf Shelf Number: 135489 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitution (Canada)Sex Workers |
Author: McIntyre, Susan Title: Aboriginal Domestic Trafficking in Persons Summary: The data for this report was summarized from the following studies completed by Dr. Susan McIntyre: - The Youngest Profession Oldest Oppression (1994) - Strolling Away (2004) - Under the Radar the Sexual Exploitation of Young Men in Alberta (2005) - Under the Radar the Sexual Exploitation of Young Men in British Columbia (2006) - Under the Radar the Sexual Exploitation of Young Men in Saskatchewan (2008) - Under the Radar the Sexual Exploitation of Young Men in Manitoba (2008) - Under the Radar the Sexual Exploitation of Young Men in Western Canada (2010) The key findings in each subsection were derived from Under the Radar the Sexual Exploitation of Young Men in Western Canada (2010): - A total of 157 young men were interviewed and 96 of them were Aboriginal. The highest Aboriginal representation was from Saskatchewan where 85% were Aboriginal. - A background of sexual abuse prior to the street for this population was 70%. A background of physical abuse was reported in 82% of this Aboriginal population. - A total of 54% of these Aboriginal young men reported self harming actions prior to the street. - Sixty-one percent of this population entered into the Child Welfare system - Running away was reported in 81% of young Aboriginal men - Fifty percent reported being thrown out of their home - The youngest person began work at age 8 and the oldest at 30 with an average age of entering into street sexual exploitation being 15 years of age. - Just over half this population reported a connection to their Aboriginal culture - Eighty-three of the 96 Aboriginal young men (86%) had a history with the police - Seventy percent of this population were victims of violence within the home while 90% had witnessed family violence - Nine years was the average time Aboriginal youth reported working - Self introduction or introduction by a friend was the most common route into sexual exploitation - A family history of sexual exploitation was reported in over 60% of those interviewed - Thirty percent of this population reported being a biological parent - Over 60% of this population had not completed high school - Risk of gay bashing violence for this population is always a risk though only close to half had the experience - Family strain and disconnection was prevalent in 58% of these young men - Eighty-two percent of this population reported addiction as an issue - A person has a sexual orientation in their work life and in their private life - Having regular customers and/or sugar daddies was reported in 86% of those interviewed for the study - Sixty-six percent of this population had moved and worked in sexual exploitation - Over half of this population had worked in more than one province A review of the overall findings was complete, and the Aboriginal data was then separated out and analyzed for the Aboriginal Domestic Trafficking in Persons report. The remainder of this report is a discussion and series of seven recommendations which are as follows: 1. That an environmental scan be undertaken and completed at a national level looking at the services and supports available to sexually exploited young men. It should examine the extent of services available to Aboriginal sexually exploited young men given their overrepresentation in Western Canada. It will also be important that this document be province and city specific. 2. That studies such as Under the Radar be completed in other parts of Canada (e.g. Central and Eastern Canada) looking at the sexual exploitation of young men. National studies have been completed on females in sexual exploitation but not on males. This would provide an opportunity to have a complete picture of sexually exploited young men in Canada and the level of Aboriginal representation. 3. That specific research is undertaken that focuses on the issue of transgendered and/or Two-Spirited persons. That education and training be developed for educators, social service providers, health care workers, police, family and the general public in reference to transgendered and Two-Spirited persons. 4. That programs and services be designed, implemented and evaluated that are specifically focused on young sexually exploited young men; and that sexually exploited young men be the primary focus in this process. Specific attention should be directed toward the risk factors facing Aboriginal persons. 5. That a Federal Territorial Provincial Working Group be set up to look at sexually exploited young men. Establishing a gender-specific committee will ensure their needs is being considered from a program, policy and legal prospective. 6. That specific prevention and training programs be developed in looking at sexually exploited Aboriginal persons. Prevention programs and training materials should be designed, developed and delivered examining the role residential schools have played in impacting parents and their communities. These programs could be delivered to families, parents and the community both urban, rural and on reserve. 7. That training and education be designed and delivered to government, correctional and social service practitioners and students on the issue of sexual exploitation of young men including Transgendered and Two-Spirited individuals. Focus should be directed to the overrepresentation of Aboriginal persons and the relationship this has to residential school history. Details: Calgary, Alberta: Hindsight Group, 2012. 42p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 1, 2015 at: http://www.hindsightgroup.com/Resources/Documents/Aboriginal%20Domestic%20Trafficking%20in%20Persons%20Final%20May%2018%20.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Canada URL: http://www.hindsightgroup.com/Resources/Documents/Aboriginal%20Domestic%20Trafficking%20in%20Persons%20Final%20May%2018%20.pdf Shelf Number: 135491 Keywords: AboriginalsHuman TraffickingIndigenous PeopleMale ProstitutesProstitutesProstitutionSex WorkersSexual Exploitation (Canada) |
Author: Sex Workers United Against Violence Title: My Work Should Not Cost Me My Life. The Case against Criminalizing the Purchase of Sex in Canada Summary: On December 20, 2013, the Supreme Court of Canada rendered a landmark decision that substantially reshaped Canada's legal framework regarding adultprostitution. The case of Bedford v. Canada resulted in the striking down of three provisions of the Criminal Code: the communication, bawdy-house and living on the avails laws. The Court found that these three provisions violate section 7 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms (the "Charter") given their negative impact on sex workers' security of the person. The declaration of invalidity of the laws did not, however, take effect immediately. The Court gave the government one year to contemplate whether new prostitution laws should be enacted. The Bedford decision has brought Canada to a critical juncture. Will Canada shift away from the criminalization of adult sex work? Or will the government continue to criminalize sex work in other ways? The Canadian government has indicated its interest in the approach taken in Sweden, which enacted a law in 1999 prohibiting the purchase of sexual services. Given the active debate that is occurring in Canada and around the world regarding Sweden's approach to criminalization, it is an important time to examine and evaluate the evidence regarding the impact of this model. For this report, Pivot Legal Society collaborated with Sex Workers United Against Violence ("SWUAV") to produce a report which draws on a newly published peer reviewed report in British Medical Journal Open by Krusi et al., entitled "Criminalisation of Clients: Reproducing Vulnerabilities for Violence and Poor Health among Street-Based Sex Workers in Canada. A Qualitative Study." ("Krusi et al. report"). The research for the Krusi et al. report was conducted by the Gender and Sexual Health Initiative (GSHI) of the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS and the University of British Columbia ("GSHI/UBC research") as part a larger ongoing research study on the health and safety of street and off-street sex workers throughout Metro Vancouver. The Krusi et al. report is available at www.gshi.cfenet.ubc.ca. Pivot Legal Society, in partnership with SWUAV, drew on the findings of the Krusi et al. report as the evidentiary basis for an analysis of the constitutionality of a prohibition on the purchase of sexual services. Pivot and SWUAV, as community partners and co-authors in the GSHI/UBC research, provided legal/ policy input on the Krusi et al. report and, as such, had advance access to the research. This research was used to prepare this constitutional analysis. The GSHI/UBC research was conducted in Vancouver, which is an important site for an evaluation of the effects of law enforcement targeting purchases of sexual services. Over the past five years or so, the Vancouver Police Department ("VPD") has gradually shifted away from arresting street-based sex workers, while still actively arresting clients. In January 2013, this practice became official policy with the approval of the VPD's Sex Work Enforcement Guidelines ("VPD Guidelines"). Under the VPD Guidelines, the police continue to actively target clients of sex workers through undercover stings and patrols of areas where street-based sex work takes place. The experience of sex workers in this city is instructive and should be a key consideration as government designs Canada's prostitution laws in the post-Bedford environment. Details: Vancouver, BC: Pivot Legal Society, Sex Workers United Against Violence, 2014. 28p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 2, 2015 at: http://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/pivotlegal/pages/615/attachments/original/1401811234/My_Work_Should_Not_Cost_Me_My_Life.pdf?1401811234 Year: 2014 Country: Canada URL: http://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/pivotlegal/pages/615/attachments/original/1401811234/My_Work_Should_Not_Cost_Me_My_Life.pdf?1401811234 Shelf Number: 135848 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers |
Author: Zimmermann-Schwartz, Claudia Title: Report: Round Table Summary: Political Mandate With a view to promoting the implementation of the Prostitution Act of the Federal government, a Round Table "Prostitution" was established according to the coalition agreement of the government parties SPD and Bundnis 90/Die Grunen of July 2010; its objective was to develop an action plan for the necessary adjustments of the State law. This political mandate was taken up at an early stage by the "red and green" State government. As soon as December 14, 2012, it had approved the establishment of this body and commissioned the Minister of Health, Equalities and Ageing of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia as the lead institution. Guiding concepts The cabinet's decision also highlights the legal and political guiding concepts the State government links with the establishment of the Round Table "Prostitution". The government's guiding concept is an emancipated society without exclusion. This also means that the free decision of people to engage in prostitution has to be respected and protected by the established law. Whoever decides to practice this profession shall do so under the rule of law and decent conditions. For the State government, the objective is to reinforce prostitutes' right to self-determination, improve their working conditions and protect them against violence. The State government considers this action to also be an important contribution to the fight against human trafficking and the uncovering of unreported cases. Legal situation Since the mandate given to the Round Table "Prostitution" refers to "implementing the Prostitution Act", it is necessary to take a look at the legal situation. The Prostitution Act of January 1, 2002 was passed by the federal legislator in order to improve the legal situation of prostitutes. Details: Dusselforf: Ministry for Health, Equalities, Care and Age, of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, 2015. 82p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 4, 2015 at: http://www.mgepa.nrw.de/emanzipation/frauen/frau_und_beruf/runder_tisch_prostitution/finalreport-prostitution_2015-03-30_weblinks.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Germany URL: http://www.mgepa.nrw.de/emanzipation/frauen/frau_und_beruf/runder_tisch_prostitution/finalreport-prostitution_2015-03-30_weblinks.pdf Shelf Number: 135889 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers |
Author: Czarnecki, Dorothea Title: Prostitution in Germany - A Comprehensive Analysis of Complex Challenges Summary: Debate about prostitution was rekindled in Germany in the autumn of 2013, in connection with a number of national and international media and policy campaigns. This debate has often conflated two different issues: prostitution on the one hand, and human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation on the other. This in turn has led to incorrect information being spread about the legal situation and practice in Germany. A campaign by the European Women's Lobby, for example, seeks to "free" Europe from prostitution. Along with the Bild-Zeitung and Der Spiegel, feminists both at home and abroad are calling Germany "Europe's brothel". In the autumn of 2013 the women's magazine EMMA called on its readers to sign a petition to criminalize sex workers' clients and to eliminate prostitution as such. In response, the newly founded Professional Association for Erotic and Sexual Services (Berufsverband erotische und sexuelle Dienstleistungen - BesD) proceeded to release its own "pro prostitution" petition. We, the authors of this analysis, are feminists who work with both sex workers and trafficked persons as part of our professional activities, which include providing psychosocial support, doing research, and seeking to improve the situation of these two groups in terms of both policy and practice (see the bios in section 14). We seek to achieve a secure legal framework for sex workers, because we know that strengthening their rights will lead to greater protection against violence, better disease prevention and health services, and also reduce the social stigmatization and humiliating treatment they experience from authorities. We are publishing this analysis to help provide a more objective and nuanced basis for discussion about prostitution. We seek to present a realistic view of prostitution in Germany that is based on research and professional experience. Our analysis of this issue focuses on the rights and legal equality of sex workers, and on the protection thereof. We do not make value judgments about prostitution. We realize that not all feminists share this position. Some feminists view prostitution as a threat to women's right to equality with men and to a life free of male violence and patriarchal dominance. They fear that the public presence of prostitutes, along with the associated sexualized and stereotypical view of women and the character of the sexual services they provide, could make these social struggles more difficult and undermine the achievements of the women's movement. We take these fears very seriously. These questions are of concern to many women who are clearly willing to take a closer look at the issues and not to simplify them on the basis of any ideology. We are aware that this constitutes a dilemma - the rights of individuals or a minority stand in opposition to the widespread wish for a society without prostitution. But this dilemma may not be resolved in a one-sided manner. Comprehensive account must be taken of different situations, different worlds, and the "obstinate lifestyles of others" (Nauerth 2012:58). This is a matter of self-determination - and of respect for decisions that women make in the face of greatly reduced options. And many women make decisions that others would strictly reject for themselves. Details: Berlin: SPI Research, 2014. 48p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 8, 2015 at: http://www.spi-research.eu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/ProstitutioninGermanyEN_main.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Germany URL: http://www.spi-research.eu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/ProstitutioninGermanyEN_main.pdf Shelf Number: 135965 Keywords: Human TraffickingProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers |
Author: NSW Parliamentary Research Service Title: Brothel regulation in NSW Summary: The question of how to effectively regulate brothels has led to considerable divergence in regulatory models used in both Australian and overseas jurisdictions. The most decriminalised of all Australian jurisdictions, NSW relies primarily on planning laws to regulate brothels. In December 2010, the NSW Coalition's Shadow Minister for Intergovernmental Relations released an election plan for a brothel licensing regime. This regime was to involve "stringent vetting of brothel licence applicants to clamp down on the use of brothels by organised crime groups and unsuitable persons". A licensing scheme was not introduced during the Coalition Government's first term in office. On 25 June 2015, Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation Victor Dominello announced a parliamentary inquiry into brothel regulation in NSW. The Legislative Assembly's Select Committee on the Regulation of Brothels, which will report by 12 November 2015, is to examine and report on: a) appropriate local and State Government regulatory and compliance functions for brothels; b) the demarcation in local and State Government roles and responsibilities; and c) possible reform options that address the social, health and planning challenges associated with legal and illegal brothels. This backgrounder updates the 2011 NSW Parliamentary Research Service ebrief Regulation of brothels: an update with recent sources as well as outlining some international regulatory models. The backgrounder provides a collection of sources on brothel regulation, including research reports, journal articles, and other commentary. The sources listed represent a small selection from a substantial amount of available literature. Links are provided to the full text of sources throughout the paper. Details: Sydney: NSW Parliamentary Research Service, 2015. 19p. Source: Internet Resource: Issues Backgrounder Number 1/July 2015: Accessed July 29, 2015 at: http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/publications.nsf/key/BrothelregulationinNSW/$File/Brothel+Regulation+in+NSW.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Australia URL: http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/publications.nsf/key/BrothelregulationinNSW/$File/Brothel+Regulation+in+NSW.pdf Shelf Number: 136230 Keywords: BrothelsProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers |
Author: Boff, Andrew Title: Silence on Violence: Improving the Safety of Women. The policing of off-streete sex work and sex trafficking in London Summary: All evidence available demonstrates that female sex workers1 are at a far higher risk of violence than any other group of women. Active sex workers were almost 18 times more likely to be murdered than women of similar age and race in one study on the mortality rates among sex workers. The reasons for female sex workers' vulnerability are complex and manifold; but a belief by the perpetrators that their attacks and even murders will be underreported to police by prostitutes or their colleagues and families plays an important role. There is an extensive and morally equivocal debate about the rights and wrongs behind selling sexual services, reflecting different standpoints on exploitation, markets, inequality, gender roles, morality, freedom of choice, and safety. Highly personal attitudes towards sex work from all sides have made discussions and policy in this area very difficult to formulate and, as such, areas of potentially significant concern within sex work have often been overlooked. This report leaves aside, as far as possible, the debate described above, and focuses on one crucial area within sex work - the safety of the women involved. The report aims to look into two overarching areas related to women's safety within the sex industry: the policing of sex trafficking, and within that policing for the Olympics; and the general policing of sex workers. It also aims to focus on off street prostitution. This is for several reasons including the fact that evidence shows that street prostitution very rarely, if at all, involves trafficked women. Details: London: GLA Conservatives, 2012. 67p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 3, 2015 at: http://glaconservatives.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2012/03/Report-on-the-Safety-of-Sex-Workers-Silence-on-Violence.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://glaconservatives.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2012/03/Report-on-the-Safety-of-Sex-Workers-Silence-on-Violence.pdf Shelf Number: 136283 Keywords: .ProstitutesProstitutionSex TraffickingSex WorkersSexual Exploitation |
Author: Rand, April M. Title: "It's a Marathon Not a Race": Exiting the Commercial Sex Trade Summary: Few studies provide detailed accounts of the exiting process and the catalysts that influence the movement toward exiting the commercial sex trade. A better understanding of this process is needed to facilitate the design of targeted and effective interventions for persons who have been involved in the commercial sex trade. Consequently, the purpose of this inquiry was to examine the process men and women undergo when exiting the commercial sex trade and to explore the role of social service providers in the exiting process. This dissertation used a feminist framework and qualitative methods to explore the experiences of 19 survivors who were in the process of exiting the commercial sex trade. The social service response was examined through individual and group interviews with 12 social service providers. The themes and findings suggest that exiting is a long and complex process that requires a tremendous amount of internal drive and social support. Moreover the findings indicate that the current social service systems are not meeting the unique needs of this client population. Suggestions for social work practice, policy, and research are presented. Details: Lawrence, KS: University of Kansas, 2014. 204p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed August 4, 2015 at: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/248978.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/248978.pdf Shelf Number: 136311 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers |
Author: Hakim, Catherine Title: Supply and Desire: Sexuality and the sex industry in the 21st Century Summary: New evidence from international sex surveys show large and continuing differences between male and female perspectives on sexuality in all cultures. Male sexual desire is manifested at least twice as often as female desire, and men would like to have sex twice as often as women. This gap in sexual desire between men and women is growing over time and cannot be dismissed as an out-dated patriarchal myth as argued by some feminists. The sexual deficit among (heterosexual) men helps to explain many puzzles, including why men are the principal customers for commercial sexual entertainments of all kinds. It is no surprise that sex workers (male and female) cater to men almost exclusively. Male demand for sex invariably outstrips female demand. Demand for commercial sex is therefore inevitable and the sex industry is likely to continue to flourish in the 21st century. Not only does male demand for sexual activity greatly outstrip non-commercial female supply, but economic growth, globalisation and the Internet facilitate access to the world's oldest profession. Several factors suggest that the male sex deficit will not disappear, and might even grow in the 21st century. Women's increasing economic independence allows them to withdraw from sexual markets and relationships that they perceive to offer unfair bargains, especially if they already have enough children or do not want any. Changes in national sex ratios towards a numerical surplus of men helps women to reset the rules in their own favour in developed societies. A key objection to the sex industry is that it damages women and that the presence of porn, lap-dancing and prostitution in a country promotes rape and other violence against women. However, although there are too few rigorous studies to draw definitive conclusions, all the available evidence points in the direction of prostitution and erotic entertainments having no noxious psychological or social effects, and they may even help to reduce sexual crime rates. In many countries, including Britain, it is perfectly legal to sell sexual services; however any third-party involvement is illegal. The aim is to prevent exploitation by pimps or madams. The effect is to criminalise the industry and brothels, to prevent girls working together in a flat for their mutual protection, to prevent anyone from lawfully supplying services to a sex worker or even rent a flat to them. The commercial sex industry is impervious to prohibitions and cannot be eliminated. Countries that criminalise buyers (such as Sweden) simply push demand abroad to countries with a more sex-positive culture. Policies that criminalise sellers directly, or criminalise third parties who supply them with services, simply push the sex industry underground, increasing risks for sex workers. The sex industry is estimated to be worth over four billon pounds to the British economy. It should be completely decriminalised. Details: London: Institute of Economic Affairs, 2015. 44p. Source: Internet Resource: IEA Discussion Paper no. 61: Accessed August 10, 2015 at: http://www.iea.org.uk/sites/default/files/publications/files/DP_Supply%20and%20Desire_61_amended_web.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.iea.org.uk/sites/default/files/publications/files/DP_Supply%20and%20Desire_61_amended_web.pdf Shelf Number: 136375 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers |
Author: Bhattacharjya, Manjima Title: The Right(s) Evidence - Sex Work, Violence and HIV in Asia: A Multi-Country Qualitative Study. Summary: Sex workers experience extreme physical, sexual, emotional and economic violence at work, in health care and custodial settings, in their neighbourhoods and in their homes. This violence denies sex workers their fundamental human rights - to equal protection under the law; to protection from torture and from cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment; and to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. Research is increasingly demonstrating how violence contributes to the spread of HIV. In Asia, the HIV epidemic remains concentrated among key populations, including sex workers, people who inject drugs, men who have sex with men and transgender people. Realizing the human rights of female, male and transgender sex workers requires an understanding of the intersecting factors that affect their safety and their protection from violence. In 2011, a research partnership among United Nations agencies, governments, sex worker community groups and academics was formed to address gaps in knowledge regarding the links between sex work, violence and HIV in Asia. A multicountry qualitative study, The Rights(s) Evidence: Sex Work, Violence and HIV in Asia (the study), was developed, with research carried out in Indonesia ( Jakarta), Myanmar (Yangon), Nepal (Kathmandu) and Sri Lanka (Colombo). The objective of the study was to better understand female, male and transgender sex workers' experiences of violence, the factors that increase or decrease their vulnerability to violence and how violence relates to risk of HIV transmission. This regional report presents an analysis of the findings from the four country sites. The study comprised a total of 123 peer-to-peer in-depth qualitative interviews with 73 female, 20 male and 30 transgender sex workers aged 18 and older. In addition, 41 key informant interviews were conducted with police personnel, NGO officers, health and legal service providers and national AIDS authorities for insight on contextual information to aid with the analysis and shape the recommendations. Data was collected between 2012 and 2013. The study used a consistent methodology in all country sites to enable an examination of common trends across diverse cultural contexts as well as the experiences unique to sex workers in different settings. In-country ethics approval was obtained in each site. The study adhered to the World Health Organization's Ethical and Safety Recommendations for Research on Domestic Violence Against Women as well as specific considerations related to male and transgender participants in the sex work environment. Participants were recruited using purposive and snowball sampling among self-identified sex workers through community organizations and sex worker networks. Semi-structured, qualitative interviews were conducted by peer interviewers who underwent comprehensive training in each country. The peer interviewers were matched to participants by gender. The interviews were conducted in private settings, in local languages and lasted between one and three hours. Details: Bangkok: UNFPA, UNDP and APNSW (CASAM), 2015. 140p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 26, 2015 at: http://asiapacific.unfpa.org/sites/asiapacific/files/pub-pdf/Rights-Evidence-Report-2015-final_0.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Asia URL: http://asiapacific.unfpa.org/sites/asiapacific/files/pub-pdf/Rights-Evidence-Report-2015-final_0.pdf Shelf Number: 137145 Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)Human Rights AbuseProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers |
Author: Pai, Aarthi Title: The Right(s) Process: Documenting a Collaborative Research Initiative Summary: This publication documents the lessons learned from the process of implementing a four-country research project on sex work and violence through the narratives and reflections of those who participated in the research since its inception in 2011. The publication was commissioned by the Centre for Advocacy on Stigma and Marginalization (CASAM) in consultation with APNSW, UNDP, UNFPA and P4P (Asia-Pacific regional offices in Bangkok). Funding for the travel to conduct interviews towards this documentation was provided by UNDP. This document chronicles the process behind the multi-country study 'The Right(s) Evidence - Sex Work, Violence and HIV in Asia', from the time of initiating the research in 2011 up to the completion of the regional report in December 2014. Data for the document was collected through interviews with community members who participated in the research, lead researchers, peer lead researchers, the Regional Steering Committee members and members of the four National Working Groups. Participation in this process documentation was voluntary. Care was taken to ensure informed consent from all participants in collecting their views. The purpose of this document was explained in detail and the interviews with sex workers were conducted in the presence of sex worker community leaders from each country or in the presence of the study's researchers. In some cases, the interviews were conducted over email and facilitated by the country researchers and members of the Asia Pacific Network of Sex Workers. Details: CASAM, APNSW, UNDP, UNFPA, 2015. 96p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 26, 2015 at: http://www.nswp.org/sites/nswp.org/files/THE%20RIGHTS%20PROCESS.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Asia URL: http://www.nswp.org/sites/nswp.org/files/THE%20RIGHTS%20PROCESS.pdf Shelf Number: 137146 Keywords: Human Rights AbusesProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers |
Author: Global Network of Sex Work Projects Title: Economic Empowerment Programmes for Sex Workers: Africa Regional Report Summary: This Africa Regional Report documents case studies of economic empowerment programmes in 6 African countries: Democratic Republic of Congo; Ethiopia; Kenya; Malawi; Nigeria; and Uganda. There are relatively few economic empowerment programmes for sex workers led by sex workers in Africa. As such this regional report evaluates both successful and failed economic empowerment programmes by sex worker-led organisations and non-sex worker-led organisations. The main finding of this report is that there is a significant absence of economic empowerment programmes for sex workers in Africa. This situation is worsened by certain funding Faith Based Organisations (FBOs) which see sex work as morally reprehensible; these organisations are not willing to fund sex work programmes unless sex workers exit sex work. As such, a lot of programmes promote the 'rehabilitation' and 'redemption' of sex workers. The rehabilitation programmes documented in the regional briefing paper mentioned above demonstrated that these programmes do not listen to sex workers, they do not ask sex workers what they want, they do not involve sex workers in the design and planning of these programmes, and, perhaps most importantly, these programmes fail to grasp the dynamics of stigma and discrimination in the communities that programmes aim to rehabilitate sex workers. The report concludes that for economic empowerment programmes for sex workers to succeed, sex workers must be involved at all levels to identify the initiatives that meet the needs and demands of sex workers. The report argues that these programmes must be run by sex workers themselves, and programmes must adopt a rights-based approach which focuses on giving sex workers the economic power to make informed choices about their lives, including their sexual health and which does not necessarily focus on getting them to exit sex work. Economic empowerment programmes for sex workers should also aim to provide an alternative source of income to reduce the vulnerability associated with changing jobs and the programmes should not aim to entice them to stop sex work when they are not ready to do so. Details: Edinburgh: NSWP, 2014. 44p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 27, 2015 at: http://www.nswp.org/sites/nswp.org/files/SUSO%20Report%20Africa.%20final%20EN.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Africa URL: http://www.nswp.org/sites/nswp.org/files/SUSO%20Report%20Africa.%20final%20EN.pdf Shelf Number: 137157 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers |
Author: Global Network of Sex Work Projects Title: Sex Workers Demonstrate Economic and Social Empowerment - Regional Report: Asia and the Pacific Summary: The Global Network of Sex Work Projects (NSWP) received funding from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs to support the development of advocacy tools around rights-based economic empowerment for sex workers. The first year of this three-year project was coordinated by the Asia Pacific Network of Sex Workers (APNSW), whose office is in Bangkok, Thailand. Over the last 20 years, with the catalyst of HIV decimating our ranks, India and Southeast Asia have been home to some of the most progressive sex worker-led networks in the world. We advocate and struggle for self-determination and equal rights in work and life, as documented here. For this project, NSWP worked with APNSW members to: 1. develop background material for advocacy tools that will strengthen regional networks and member organisations' work; campaign for the rights of sex workers of all genders; and amplify the voices of sex workers globally; 2. document good practice examples of sex worker-led economic empowerment projects (described in the case studies) to inform the development of advocacy tools that will help sex worker-led groups' ability to engage effectively with policy makers and programmers; 3. document the lived experiences of sex workers and the impact of programmes that focus on 'rehabilitation', that require sex workers to exit sex work (see the accompanying Briefing Paper). This report focuses in detail on two key good practice studies: the Usha banking cooperative originating in the Sonagachi sex work area of Kolkata, India, and the informal school and community legal services at WNU in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. These are followed by seven other studies (AMA, VAMP, OP SI, Melati Support Group, SWING, Can Do Bar and APN SW) and field research with sex workers and NGO s across the region. Details: Edinburgh: NSWP, 2014. 69p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 28, 2015 at: http://www.nswp.org/sites/nswp.org/files/SUSO%20Asia%20Pacific%20Report_Oct2014.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Asia URL: http://www.nswp.org/sites/nswp.org/files/SUSO%20Asia%20Pacific%20Report_Oct2014.pdf Shelf Number: 137160 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers |
Author: Renshaw, Lauren Title: Migrant sex workers in Australia Summary: There has been little research conducted on the experiences of migrant sex workers both internationally and within Australia. This is despite widespread media and other reports highlighting the perception of migrant sex workers as particularly vulnerable to exploitation and human trafficking. This report focuses on consolidating current knowledge of migrants in the Australian sex industry, based on a review of the existing literature and an analysis of responses to a survey conducted among migrant and non-migrant sex workers in a range of states and territories in Australia in 2010. This analysis explores the demographic profile, work conditions and access to services of migrant sex workers and how they differ from Australian-born sex workers. It also seeks to gather information on the migration experiences of migrant sex workers and their motivations for migrating to Australia. Overview of the Australian sex industry A review was undertaken of the literature on the predominant features of the sex industry in Australia - including its legality in each state and territory - and of the findings of previous research on the Australian sex worker population, particularly migrant sex workers. There are three general legal frameworks applied to sex work in Australia - criminalising certain components of the sex industry; legalising certain components of the sex industry, usually under a licensing or registration scheme; and decriminalising certain aspects of the sex industry. The industry can be categorised into brothel work, massage work, private work, escort work (solo or with an agency) and street-based work, although it is acknowledged that these are simplified distinctions that may not reflect all sex workers' situations. Sex work is largely illegal in Western Australia and South Australia, and in Tasmania only private work is legal (with private work referring to a person working independently or with another person). Sex work, other than street-based sex work, is legal and regulated under licensing schemes in Victoria, Queensland (except escort agencies) and, partially, in the Northern Territory (escort agencies only). In the Australian Capital Territory, both brothel-based and private sex work have been legalised under a registration scheme. Sex work has been decriminalised in New South Wales since 1995, though restrictions on street-based sex work still apply. The size of the sex industry in Australia is largely unknown, although it has been estimated that there are approximately 20,000 individuals working as sex workers in Australia in any one year (Quadara 2008). Research suggests that in the sex industry in New South Wales, approximately 40 percent of sex workers work privately, with the other 60 percent working predominantly in sex industry businesses, or as escorts or on the street (Donovan et al. 2012). However, there may be variations in this proportion in other jurisdictions due to the different legal frameworks affecting the legality of private and brothel work. Research on Australia's sex worker population suggests that demographic profiles such as age, education and cultural background may vary by state/territory and sex work sector. Current research, mainly in the Sydney City area, suggests that migrants (largely from Asia) make up a substantial proportion of workers in the sex industry, particularly migrants from Thailand and China, and increasingly from South Korea (Donovan et al. 2012). Although there have been several surveys on the sex worker population generally, research specifically on migrant sex workers is limited. A number of projects with migrant sex workers have generated valuable demographic data on the lives, backgrounds, experiences and needs of migrant sex workers in Australia (Pell et al. 2006; Prostitutes' Collective of Victoria 1994). The few studies that exist suggest that migrant sex workers may be older than their Australian-born counterparts and less likely to work in a street-based setting (Pell et al. 2006; Woodward et al. 2004). Reports based on immigration data suggest that many have initially entered Australia on tourist (eg Working Holiday and Work and Holiday Visas) and student visas (Bowen 2011; DIMIA, cited in ANAO 2006; Pell et al. 2006). The literature also suggests that several factors (eg language barriers and isolation, gender and race discrimination, stigma attached to sex work and criminalisation of sex work) may intersect for migrant sex workers to increase their vulnerability to experiencing, and barriers to reporting, incidents of violence and exploitation (Allimant & Ostapiej-Piatkowski 2011; Quadara 2008). With regard to what is known from research into sex workers' work conditions, sex industry businesses employ workers largely as independent contractors, although there is evidence to suggest that many of the employment relationships reflect that of an employer/employee (Drugs and Crime Prevention Committee 2010; Murray 2003; Northern Territory AIDS and Hepatitis Council 2005; Simmons & David 2012). Further, incidents of debt contracts among migrants working in the industry have been reported anecdotally, and debt bondage has been observed in a few prosecuted cases involving slavery and sexual servitude (Brockett & Murray 1994; IDC 2014). Details: Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2015. 96p. Source: Internet Resource: Research and Public Policy Series no. 131: Accessed November 12, 2015 at: http://aic.gov.au/media_library/publications/rpp/131/rpp131.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Australia URL: http://aic.gov.au/media_library/publications/rpp/131/rpp131.pdf Shelf Number: 137274 Keywords: MigrantsProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers |
Author: Barber, Amee Title: From the Red Light to the Red Carpet: Legalization, Deliberation, and the Paradoxical Challenges to Sex Work Policy in the Netherlands Summary: This dissertation utilizes deliberative democratic theory to analyze two moments of Dutch policy-making around sex work. The first moment covers the period from 1990 to 2000, the decade prior to the full legalization of the sex industry in the Netherlands, and includes a focus on the national, legal-parliamentary process that resulted in the lifting of the Brothel Ban. The second moment explores the decade after the legalization of sex work, when sex work policy was decentralized, and narrows the focus to Amsterdam's local policy-making system. Sex work advocates heralded the lifting of the Brothel Ban as a victory for the legal rights of all sex industry personnel and cited its democratic character, a feature resulting from the meaningful inclusion of marginalized political subjects. Soon after legalization, however, the sex industry was politically excluded from the local policy-making processes that had recently been given responsibility for sex work regulation. In the absence of the sex industry, Amsterdam's private and public sector elites partnered to create Project 1012, a set of policies that sought the physical restructuring of Amsterdam's core and aimed to revamp its image by reducing the number of window brothels by at least forty per cent. To implement Project 1012, the project's proponents purchased a number of window brothels and restricted the emergence of new brothels in Amsterdam's core with the use of an exclusionary zoning plan. Amsterdam's municipal authorities also used the national Public Administration Probity in Decision-Making Act (the BIBOB), passed in 2003, to put the Red Light District's (RLD) remaining window brothels under routine investigation on grounds of suspicion of criminal activity. Under such pressure, several window brothel owners sold their properties for other uses. By comparing and contrasting these separate policy moments using a set of criteria I derive from deliberative democratic theory, I demonstrate a shift in the political character of sex work policy-making. Through the description of these two policy periods, it becomes clear that the development of these policies, their framing and the municipal tools used to enact them evince a marked shift in both the degree of legitimacy that sex work was ascribed and in the involvement of sex industry personnel in the policy-making process. The contrasts that emerge between these two time periods clearly sets them apart with respect to their democratic legitimacy. In assessing the consequences of this shift for those involved in the sex industry I show that while all who hold a stake in the RLD's sex businesses have been negatively impacted by Project 1012, the sex worker, particularly the migrant sex worker, is the most disenfranchised by this political shift. The discussion of consequences is followed by an investigation of those factors that most strongly contributed to the shift, such as the discovery of human-trafficking rings within Amsterdam, the emergence of a strong anti-trafficking campaign, rising racial tensions and xenophobia, as well as an intense, neoliberal, European intra-urban competition. These social and economic forces, discourse and factors have all combined to change the way in which sex work is understood and have compelled a need to close the RLD, a symbol of Dutch progressive tolerance, in order to protect it and its workers from 'foreign' influence, as well as improve Amsterdam's international competitiveness. Project 1012 reimagines the RLD in the absence of both sex workers and 'foreigners,' aims to make it more commercially profitable and return the space to those deemed more deserving. The sense of urgency instilled by these discourses has trumped the use of deliberative democratic policy mechanisms as a way to address the morally contentious topic of sex work and uncover alternate visions for the RLD. Details: Edmonton: University of Alberta, 2014. 406p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed November 12, 2015 at: https://era.library.ualberta.ca/downloads/f1881m26g Year: 2014 Country: Netherlands URL: https://era.library.ualberta.ca/downloads/f1881m26g Shelf Number: 137278 Keywords: BrothelsProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers |
Author: Victoria. The Prostitution Control Act Ministerial Advisory Committee Title: Improving the Regulation of the Sex Industry and Supporting Sex Workers Who Want to Move On Summary: This report presents the result of the Committee's analysis of its terms of reference to enquire into and examine: 1. appropriate support services for people considering moving on from sex work, and 2. the experiences of prostitution business proprietors under the Prostitution Control Act 1994 ("the Act"), particularly the provisions relating to advertising, liquor and health and safety, to advise on improvements to achieve the principle objective of harm minimisation. The report is in five sections. Section 1 presents an introduction to the report and a summary of the objectives of the Prostitution Control Act 1994. Section 2: Supporting Sex Workers who want to Move On presents the work of the Committee in fulfilling the terms of reference about career transition support. This section draws the thread of knowledge gathered from the Committee's research and presents them into a set of recommendations to improve the delivery of services for sex workers in Victoria. The Committee also submitted to the Minister an interim report summarising these interviews in May 2005 (see Appendix 1 for the Interim Report). The interim report found that there are many pathways into prostitution and that moving on from sex work is just as complex. Section 3: Improving the Regulations of the Sex Industry presents the results of the Committee's examination of the impact on businesses and sex workers of the advertising, liquor, and health and safety provisions in the Act. This section is underpinned by the Committee's belief that the viability of businesses operating within the law is a key contributor to the overall health of the legislative framework. Section 4 presents the Committee's recommendations, and Section 5 presents the report's five appendices - these are the interim report from May 2005, the interview questions for welfare organisations, the interview questions for licensees, the survey questions for sex worker, and a short profile of each of the Committee members. Details: Melbourne: Consumer Affairs Victoria, 2007. 72p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 12, 2015 at: https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/resources-and-education/research Year: 2007 Country: Australia URL: https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/resources-and-education/research Shelf Number: 137279 Keywords: BrothelsProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers |
Author: Steffan, Elfriede Title: Final Report from the study of the federal model project "Support for Leaving Prostitution" Summary: This is the abridged version of the final report from the extended evaluation and research study (wissenschaftliche Begleitung) commissioned for the federal model project "Support for Leaving Prostitution" and carried out by SPI Forschung gGmbH in Berlin and the Sozialwissenschaftliches FrauenForschungsInstitut in Freiburg (SoFFi F.). The evaluation and research commenced on 1 November 2011, approximately two years after the start of the model project, and went on for three years and seven months, ending on 31 May 2015. The aim of the evaluation and research study was to gain information and knowledge. It sought to capture facets of reality - sex workers' lives and working conditions and the factors that help them leave prostitution - and to make the results available for practical action and policy decisions. Contact to the sex workers in this report was made via specialized counseling centers offering programs for leaving prostitution. Our research therefore focused on the views of those seeking to stop doing sex work, and as such makes no statements about this work in general. This evaluation of the federal model project clearly shows that sex workers face stigmatization and exclusion. As long as that remains the case, specific counseling and support programs will be needed to reach this target group and work with them in open and non-judgmental ways. The work at the three locations of the federal model project demonstrated in impressive form how the processes of leaving prostitution and embarking on new pathways can succeed by means of: 1) individual support and assistance for clients; and 2) close cooperation among specialized counseling centers, exit programs, and training institutes including job centers. Results from the different regions of this model project indicate that at least one in ten of all sex workers depends on counseling and support to take new personal and career paths. Details: Berlin: Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, 2015. 40p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 28, 2015 at: http://www.bmfsfj.de/RedaktionBMFSFJ/Broschuerenstelle/Pdf-Anlagen/Unterst_C3_BCtzung-des-Ausstiegs-aus-der-Prostitution-Kurzfassung-englisch,property=pdf,bereich=bmfsfj,sprache=de,rwb=true.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Germany URL: http://www.bmfsfj.de/RedaktionBMFSFJ/Broschuerenstelle/Pdf-Anlagen/Unterst_C3_BCtzung-des-Ausstiegs-aus-der-Prostitution-Kurzfassung-englisch,property=pdf,bereich=bmfsfj,sprache=de,rwb=true.pdf Shelf Number: 137367 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers |
Author: Mandur, Amrit Kaur Title: Alternative Solutions to Traditional Problems: Contextualizing the Kitchener John School Diversion Program Summary: This thesis is an exploratory study of the Kitchener John School Diversion Program. As a primarily community-based initiative, this program has been developed in response to a particular social problem, street prostitution. The primary focus of the program is to address the problem by targeting the clients of prostitutes. Using a contextual constructionist framework, eight qualitative, semi-structured interviews and three participant observation sessions were conducted to explore and understand how the John School works within the context of its objectives and mandate. Four research questions have been developed to achieve this and focus on (1) how program objectives are implemented within the operation of the diversion program, (2) how stakeholders problematize prostitution and its social actors, (3) what the social conditions and characteristics related to the social construction of prostitution are, as perceived by the social actors, and finally, (4) how the diversion program addresses the problem of prostitution. Through analysis of the data collected, key findings emerge that help to contextualize the diversion program within a broader understanding of its mandates and operations. Specifically, four objectives are identified as the primary goals of the school, being knowledge dissemination, accountability, diversion and change. There are notable discrepancies, however, in terms of how program staff interpret these objectives within the context of their program lectures and materials. Additionally, while strong themes and typifications emerge with respect to how prostitution and its social actors are problematized by the program staff, these themes and typifications have a tendency to conflict with one another when presented to the participants. For example, where prostitution is understood to be a social problem with a number of victims and perpetrators, the participants are frequently typified simultaneously as both victim and villain. In light of these discrepancies, however, it appears that the intended objectives and the actual operation of the diversion program both work towards the same, ultimate goal: change. Details: Waterloo, ONT: University of Waterloo, 2010. 150p. Source: Internet Resource: Thesis: Accessed February 22, 2016 at: https://uwspace.uwaterloo.ca/bitstream/handle/10012/5496/Mandur_Amrit.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y Year: 2010 Country: Canada URL: https://uwspace.uwaterloo.ca/bitstream/handle/10012/5496/Mandur_Amrit.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y Shelf Number: 137922 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitution Street Prostitution |
Author: Sandwith, Louise Title: 'Score, smoke, back on the beat': An exploration of the impact of homelessness on exiting street sex working in Manchester Summary: The purpose of this research was to explore how and why women get into sex work and the factors which lead them to continue. The research looked at the issues for women wanting to exit sex work - and considered, in particular, homelessness and how this impacts upon the choices available. The research was undertaken using qualitative methods comprising interviews with women working in the industry and with accommodation providers. Findings - The majority of the women interviewed became involved in sex work as teenagers to fund drug use or to escape poverty and were often introduced by another working woman. The majority had unsettled and damaging experiences as children such as being in care, parental neglect/violence or sexual abuse. - Drug use and sex work are closely inter-linked and all women confirmed they had sold sex to fund drug use at some point, if not throughout, their sex working 'career'. - Homelessness is a common experience for sex working women, in particular repeated homelessness. When women were sex working and homeless, this inevitably meant an increase in both drug use and sex working. - Many had spent time in custody. None of the women in adult prisons had their housing needs addressed on release and were often released to 'no fixed abode'. - Drug using sex workers need to be engaged in drug treatment but the women reported that they are unable to remain stable in treatment without suitable housing as keeping appointments was difficult when homeless. - Women felt judged and unsupported by some hostel staff. Staff from projects reported having no training around the issues and complexity of sex work. - Individuals from accommodation providers were knowledgeable and had a good understanding of the women's needs, but this was often down to their own experience and not as a result of any specific training. - A difficulty facing statutory accommodation providers is that of classing money earned from sex work as income and the consequences for housing benefit. - Most women wanting to exit sex work felt they needed suitable housing as well as drug treatment, but additionally required a source of income to alleviate poverty. Criminal records, lack of qualifications and work experience and poor health from long-term drug use all act as barriers to employment. Details: London: The Griffins Society, 2011. 52p. Source: Internet Resource: Research paper 2011/01: http://www.thegriffinssociety.org/system/files/papers/fullreport/research_paper_2011_01_sandwith.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.thegriffinssociety.org/system/files/papers/fullreport/research_paper_2011_01_sandwith.pdf Shelf Number: 129825 Keywords: HomelessnessProstitutesSex WorkersStreet Prostitution |
Author: International Committee on the Rights of Sex Workers in Europe Title: Feminism Needs Sex Workers, Sex Workers Need Feminism: Towards a Sex-Worker Inclusive Women's Rights Movement Summary: Sex workers in Europe and Central Asia often live and work in precarious and dangerous contexts. The reasons for this are the criminalisation of sex work, precarisation of labour, feminisation of poverty and structural, institutional and interpersonal violence against women and LGBT people. This briefing paper explores the intersection of feminist ideologies, women's rights and sex workers' rights, and the feminist ideals which are included and supported in sex work activism. It calls upon the feminist movement to consider the growing evidence in support of sex work decriminalisation, build an alliance with sex workers and their organisations, and actively support sex workers' rights and the decriminalisation of sex workers. Details: Amsterdam: The Committee, 2016. 31p. Source: Internet Resource: Intersection briefing paper #2: Accessed April 16, 2016 at: http://www.sexworkeurope.org/sites/default/files/userfiles/files/ICRSE_Briefing%20paper_woman%27s%20right_March2016__05.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Europe URL: http://www.sexworkeurope.org/sites/default/files/userfiles/files/ICRSE_Briefing%20paper_woman%27s%20right_March2016__05.pdf Shelf Number: 138690 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitution Sex Workers |
Author: Mwapu, Isumbisho Title: Women engaging in transactional sex and working in prostitution: Practices and underlying factors of the sex trade in South Kivu, the Democratic Republic of Congo Summary: Transactional sex and prostitution form a significant part of everyday urban life in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The report is based on a survey among 480 sex workers engaged in prostitution and focus groups in milieux where there is a lot of transactional sex, where material exchange is embedded in broader social relations. These are in higher education, urban poor areas, offices, trade and religious milieux. Stepping away from discourses on morality and victimhood, the report takes an angle of livelihoods and women's agency. Transactional sex in humanitarian crises is mostly associated with what is often called 'survival sex': sexual exchange in order to meet basic needs, often the needs of the entire family. However, the distinction between 'needs' (survival sex) and 'wants' (consumer sex) appears too simplistic, and the report proposes to replace the value-laden and imprecise term of 'consumer sex' by 'strategic sex'. Engaging in transactional sex leaves women vulnerable to health, physical and emotional risks including rape, though the latter is rarely recognised by victims. To better protect and educate women, six recommendations are proposed. Details: London: Secure Livelihoods Research Consortium (SLRC), 2016. 58p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 28, 2016 at: http://www.securelivelihoods.org/publications_details.aspx?resourceid=394 Year: 2016 Country: Congo, Democratic Republic URL: http://www.securelivelihoods.org/publications_details.aspx?resourceid=394 Shelf Number: 138832 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers |
Author: Falegan, Oluwatominsin O. Title: Risk Factors for Sex Work Recidivism in Commercial Sexual Exploitation Victims Summary: INTRODUCTION: An estimated 4.9 million individuals worldwide are currently victims of some form of commercial sexual exploitation. Although there are differing opinions on what can be classified as commercial sexual exploitation, study findings demonstrate that the risk factors and health outcomes for individuals forced or who opt to enter sex work include mental illness, lack of social support, physical injuries and substance abuse. Although studies note that sex work recidivism may be an issue for victims who have exited the commercial sexual exploitation industry, literature addressing the cause and incidence of the phenomenon is very limited. AIM: The purpose of this study was to identify and explore possible risk factors for sex work recidivism by using factors noted in criminal recidivism that align with outcomes for commercial sexual exploitation. The author hypothesizes that individual level factors, such as mental health, substance abuse, and history of abuse, and relationship level factors, such as social support or the lack there of, will be discussed the most in the literature analyzed. METHODS: The researcher did a systematic search of terms related to commercial sexual exploitation (namely: prostitution and sex trafficking) in Georgia State University's online library database and PubMed. Inclusion criteria for this project was the use of terms in an abstract or title and content addressing health outcomes of commercial sexual exploitation. Using an adaptation of the socio-ecological model, the researcher completed a content analysis on articles that met inclusion criteria and extracted and counted the most prevalent themes. Ultimately, the themes were categorized by the four levels of the socio-ecological model. RESULTS: Out of the 47 articles initially retrieved, 21 articles met the inclusion criteria. Individual and Societal level factors were mentioned in 20 of the 21 articles. Relationship level factors were mentioned in 17 of the 21 articles, and Community level factors were mentioned in 16 of the 21 articles. DISCUSSION: The findings supported the researcher's hypothesis that individual level factors such as mental illness and substance abuse would be most prevalent in the studies analyzed. However, the findings demonstrating the equal prevalence of societal factors such as inequalities and economic instabilities was a deviation from the author's predictions. Details: Atlanta: Georgia State University, School of Public Health, 2016. 52p. Source: Internet Resource: Capstone Project: Accessed June 1, 2016 at: http://scholarworks.gsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1027&context=iph_capstone Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: http://scholarworks.gsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1027&context=iph_capstone Shelf Number: 139253 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitutionRecidivismSex TraffickingSex WorkersSexual Exploitation |
Author: Amnesty International Title: Sex Workers at Risk: A Research Summary on Human Rights Abuses Against Sex Workers Summary: In recognition of the high rates of human rights abuses experienced globally by individuals who engage in adult consensual sex work, Amnesty International initiated in 2013 a global consultation for a new policy focussed on protecting sex workers from such abuses and violations. In addition to desk-based research into studies from around the world, new primary research was conducted, primarily focused on the human rights impact of criminalizing sex work: The City of Buenos Aires (Argentina); Hong Kong SAR (China); Oslo (Norway); and Papua New Guinea. This summary report provides an overview of the key research findings, highlighting the range and extent of human rights abuses and violations suffered by sex workers. It shows how sex workers face stigma and marginalization, physical and sexual violence, barriers to protection from violence and crime, extortion and coercive police measures, and obstacles to securing their rights to health and housing. The summary report also provides a brief outline of Amnesty International's policy and identifies a range of government actions it believes are necessary to best address the barriers that sex workers routinely face in realizing their rights. Details: London: AI, 2016. 25p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 8, 2016 at: http://www.amnestyusa.org/sites/default/files/briefing_-_sex_workers_rights_-_embargoed_-_final.pdf Year: 2016 Country: International URL: http://www.amnestyusa.org/sites/default/files/briefing_-_sex_workers_rights_-_embargoed_-_final.pdf Shelf Number: 139324 Keywords: Human Rights AbusesProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers |
Author: Lowthers, Megan Title: Sexual-Economic Entanglement: A Feminist Ethnography of Migrant Sex Work Spaces in Kenya Summary: The recent anti-trafficking fervour as well as the moral panic surrounding prostitution has given rise to large gaps within migrant sex work research, especially in Africa. Despite this, sexual commerce remains a viable economic activity for many women in East Africa, a region where variable migration patterns are central to everyday social, cultural, and economic life. Framed by anthropology, feminist geography, and postcolonial theory, this research examines migrant female sex workers' everyday experiences across time, space, place, and scale from one ethnographic location in Naivasha, Kenya. In order to explore how different migration patterns and types of sexual-economic exchange are entangled, qualitative research was conducted among 110 migrant female sex workers and 15 community representatives. Emphasizing the public relevance of both sexual commerce and everyday migration, African literary tools also frame the migration stories of female sex workers originating from, arriving to, or transiting through Naivasha. This research reveals how street level sex work is reproduced amidst the current global political economy at migrant spaces including an IDP camp, flower farms, along East African highways, and through mobile phone technology. This research also contributes to a better understanding of the often excluded female sex worker - the displaced, migrant, or sex worker in transit - as a complete, engendered person by recognizing her complex lived realities, relationships, and risks. And while migration is predominantly associated with increased vulnerabilities, this research further demonstrates how different types of sexual-economic exchange through different migration patterns variously entangle victimhood and empowerment in complex ways. These findings are especially significant for interdisciplinary academic studies as well as policy and programming addressing sex worker migration in Africa. Details: London, ONT: University of Western Ontario, 2015. 228p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed June 8, 2016 at: http://ir.lib.uwo.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5082&context=etd Year: 2015 Country: Kenya URL: http://ir.lib.uwo.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5082&context=etd Shelf Number: 139328 Keywords: MigrationProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers |
Author: Miner-Romanoff, Karen Title: An Evaluation Study of a Criminal Justice Reform Specialty Court - CATCH Court: Changing Actions to Change Habits Summary: This article reports on an evaluation of a program for convicted prostitutes who are victims of human trafficking, the Changing Actions to Change Habits (CATCH) specialized docket in Franklin County, Columbus, Ohio. Founded by Judge Paul M. Herbert in 2009, CATCH blends punitive sentences with a 2-year treatment-oriented non-adversarial program for rearrested prostitutes who suffer from posttraumatic stress syndrome, depression, and drug addiction. Based on therapeutic jurisprudence, in its 5 years of existence CATCH has served 130 participants (12% graduation rate in first 4 years). The researcher was invited by the Franklin County Municipal Court to conduct the evaluation, the first of the program, with criminal justice referrers and program participants. Data were collected from Court records, a 9-item survey for referrers by email, a 20-item survey for participants, and a roundtable discussion with 20 volunteer participants. In the quantitative component, five goals and objectives were formulated. Results of descriptive statistics on participants' experiences indicated that from 48% to 100% were positively affected by the program. Program completers had fewer jail days, arrests, and recidivism, as well as improved living conditions, than noncompleters (those who were rejected or dropped out). Results of inferential statistics for completers and noncompleters indicated that for jail time and arrests, no significant differences were found among the groups. For recidivism, a significant difference was found, indicating that program completers had a statistically significant lower recidivism rate than the other groups. The five goals and objectives were partially met. In the qualitative component, participants singled out caring by the judge and staff, lack of judgment, encouragement of their self-esteem, improved family relationships, and the difficulty of asking for help. For increased awareness, participants suggested education of law enforcement officers about the program, education in communities of young girls, and creation of CATCH-type programs in other cities. Recommendations for future research included more frequent and discrete data collection by the court, larger sample sizes, and individual participant in-depth interviews. The success of the CATCH program indicates its use as a model for similar courts in Ohio and nationally. Details: Columbus, OH: Franklin University, 2015. 95p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 9, 2016 at: https://ext.dps.state.oh.us/OCCS/Pages/Public/Reports/CATCH%20FULL%20REPORT%20for%20Court%20CL%205.30.15.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: https://ext.dps.state.oh.us/OCCS/Pages/Public/Reports/CATCH%20FULL%20REPORT%20for%20Court%20CL%205.30.15.pdf Shelf Number: 139342 Keywords: Human TraffickingProblem-Solving CourtsProstitutesProstitutionRehabilitationVictims of Trafficking |
Author: Great Britain. House of Commons. Home Affairs Committee Title: Prostitution Summary: One of the challenges in examining prostitution is the absence of robust data. The "facts" set out below have been submitted to the Committee in evidence but should be treated with caution and are open to dispute. Terminology is also disputed, with some opposition to the description "sex workers". Our use of the term in this report is a neutral one and refers to female, male or transgender adults who receive money in exchange for sexual services. - Around 11% of British men aged 16-74 have paid for sex on at least one occasion, which equates to 2.3 million individuals. - The number of sex workers in the UK is estimated to be around 72,800 with about 32,000 working in London. - Sex workers have an average of 25 clients per week paying an average of $78 per visit. - In 2014-15, there were 456 prosecutions of sex workers for loitering and soliciting. - An estimated 152 sex workers were murdered between 1990 and 2015. 49% of sex workers (in one survey) said that they were worried about their safety. - There were 1,139 victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation in 2014, and 248 in April to June 2015 (following implementation of the Modern Slavery Act 2015). The main legislation relating to prostitution is contained in the following Acts: - Sexual Offences Act 2003 - Policing and Crime Act 2009 - Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 (in relation to placing of advertisements relating to prostitution) - Modern Slavery Act 2015 (in relation to trafficking for sexual exploitation) - Serious Crime Act 2015 (in relation to sexual exploitation of children). The Appendix to this Report sets out further details on existing legislation, supplied by the Home Office. Details: London: House of Commons, 2016. 57p. Source: Internet Resource: Third Report of Session 2016-17: Accessed July 29, 2016 at: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201617/cmselect/cmhaff/26/26.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201617/cmselect/cmhaff/26/26.pdf Shelf Number: 139894 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers |
Author: Asia Catalyst Title: "Custody and Education": Arbitrary Detention of Female Sex Workers in China Summary: D Based on research in Beijing and Shanghai, China this report focuses on the daily life, working conditions, access to services, and legal frameworks for transgender female sex workers in China. Transgender female sex workers face a broad array of discrimination in social and policy frameworks, preventing this highly marginalized group's access to a wide spectrum of services and legal protections. They experience amplified stigma due to both their gender identity and their profession. Isolated and often humiliated when seeking public services, particularly in health care settings, has also led many to self-medicate and engage in dangerous transitioning practices, including on self-administered hormone use. In China, transgender people do not necessarily face outright legal penalties, but the absence of non- discrimination laws and lack of enforcement of overarching policies on non-discriminatory access to healthcare and HIV related services, means they are left without effective protection. As sex work is illegal in China, transgender sex workers are further oppressed by the police and, due to social and other factors, engage in high risk activities that put them at increased risk of HIV and STD infection. The research for this report illuminates that the community of female presenting sex workers is very complex and includes men who have sex with men, transgender individuals, and transsexuals. Their vulnerabilities to HIV and their varied health needs need to be carefully assessed, strategically targeted, and addressed. As China is in the process of drafting a new HIV/AIDS action plan for 2016-2020, now is a good opportunity to develop a specific strategy on HIV prevention and care for the transgender community. Details: New York: Asia Catalyst, 2013. 48p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 1, 2016 at: http://www.asiacatalyst.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/AsiaCatalyst_CustodyEducation2013-12-EN.pdf Year: 2013 Country: China URL: http://www.asiacatalyst.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/AsiaCatalyst_CustodyEducation2013-12-EN.pdf Shelf Number: 139926 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers |
Author: UglyMugs.IE Title: Crime and Abuse Experienced by Sex Workers in Ireland: Victimisation Survey Summary: UglyMugs.ie invited Irish indoor sex workers to take part in the research, which aimed to learn more about escorts in Ireland and particularly about their experiences of crime and abuse. This is the first ever survey of indoor sex workers in Ireland and 195 female, male and trans* escorts took part. Although the survey cannot be considered representative of all persons selling sex in Ireland, 195 participants is a very significant proportion of the Irish sex worker population. The escorts who took part in the survey were from 29 different countries. Most were aged in their 20s or 30s and highly educated. Just over half had worked in sex work in another country prior to becoming an escort in Ireland. 97.3% were self-employed independent escorts, though 33.3% had experience of working for a third party, e.g. an escort agency, in Ireland or elsewhere in the past. Despite it being popularly reported in the media that children are involved in prostitution, there was no evidence of the involvement of any under 16s and only one participant was aged under 18. Participants reported low alcohol and drug use, high condom use, and taking a number of security measures whilst working as an escort, the top ones being not getting in cars with clients (65.3%), taking more precautions when it is a new client (58.1%) and not working alone (41.1%) despite the laws in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland that force escorts to work alone if they want to work legally. Ireland's sex worker population overwhelmingly works indoors with access to phones and the Internet, which is safe conditions, in comparison to outdoor sex working. However, many of the participants reported experiences of a wide range of crime and abuses. It is also clear that a wide range of persons commit crime against sex workers in Ireland, not only clients. 66.7% of participants who had been a victim of crime whilst working as an escort in Ireland did not report to the police. The high level of stigma associated with being an escort being the primary barrier to engaging with police. Participants said that other escorts were the biggest source of help to them after experiencing crime. The research confirmed that currently there are no useful support services for escorts in Ireland, but escorts would welcome the establishment of a variety of sex worker support services. Fear of media exposure amongst escorts in Ireland is very high, even higher than fear of crime, with 74.6% of participants worried or very worried about being exposed as an escort in the newspapers or other media. Recommendations include further research, a review of laws and policies that put sex workers at risk, tackling media abuse of sex workers and the provision of police sex worker liaison services and general advice, legal advice, health services and exiting services for sex workers. The full report outlines that a number of factors put escort at risk of violence and abuse. The lack of support services and good relations with police, mean offenders specifically target escorts, in the belief that they are people in society without any help, who offenders can abuse with a very low risk of facing any consequences as a result. The media portrayal of escorts as people with no rights, no choices, helpless victims who can't say no to anything or anybody, is also sending a very dangerous message to offenders. UglyMugs.ie is a scheme that aims to improve the safety of sex workers in Ireland and reduce crimes committed against them, by bringing sex workers together to share information about potential dangers. Details: s.l.: UglyMugs.IE, 2013. 57p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 3, 2016 at: https://uglymugs.ie/wp-content/uploads/ugly-mugs-september-2013.pdf Year: 2013 Country: Ireland URL: https://uglymugs.ie/wp-content/uploads/ugly-mugs-september-2013.pdf Shelf Number: 139968 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitutionSex WorkersVictimization Survey |
Author: UglyMugs.IE Title: Opinions and Experiences of Police: Irish Sex Worker Survey 2015 Summary: 86 sex worker participants, 76 of whom have experience of working in the Republic of Ireland and 41 of whom have experience of working in Northern Ireland. - Most participants were working as female (85.9%). Ages ranged from 18-64 and 25-34 was the largest age group represented (47.1%). - Participants mostly identified as white (77.6%) ethnicity - 91.7% were EU nationals and 23.8% we re Irish or UK nationals - 84.7% had native, fluent or good English. Details: s.l.: UglyMugs.IE, 2015. 30p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 3, 2016 at: https://uglymugs.ie/wp-content/uploads/opinions-and-experiences-of-police-uglymugsie-2015.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Ireland URL: https://uglymugs.ie/wp-content/uploads/opinions-and-experiences-of-police-uglymugsie-2015.pdf Shelf Number: 139969 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers |
Author: International Committee on the Rights of Sex Workers in Europe Title: Nothing About Us Without Us! Ten Years of Sex Workers' Rights Activism and Advocacy in Europe Summary: This report identifies the main trends affecting sex workers in the region. In particular, it explores the increased criminalisation of sex work, targeting either sex workers, clients or third parties; the continued conflation of sex work, migration and trafficking; and the criminalisation of "vulnerabilities" and poverty. Each of these trends increase the vulnerability of sex workers to violence, including physical, psychological, sexual and structural violence and limit their access to health and justice. The report also explores the development of the sex workers' rights movement in the region with examples of sex workers-led organisations and the growing support for sex workers' rights in civil society and academia. Details: Amsterdam: ICRSE, 2015. 46p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 29, 2016 at: http://www.sexworkeurope.org/sites/default/files/userfiles/files/ICRSE_10years%20report_Decemberr2015_photo_final.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Europe URL: http://www.sexworkeurope.org/sites/default/files/userfiles/files/ICRSE_10years%20report_Decemberr2015_photo_final.pdf Shelf Number: 140069 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers |
Author: International Committee on the Rights of Sex Workers in Europe Title: Exploitation: Unfair labour arrangements and precarious working conditions in the sex industry Summary: The sex workers' movement in Europe and across the globe has a long and dynamic history. For decades, community members and their allies have been actively advocating for freedom from stigmatisation, violence and legal oppression, calling for sex workers' right to autonomy and selfdetermination, and requesting their unconditional access to justice and healthcare. One of the key demands driving collective mobilisation and activism among sex workers has been the recognition of sex work as labour, i.e. a legitimate occupation and way to earn one's livelihood. In consequence, sex workers shoud be entitled to the same labour rights and protections as any other workers. Although this demand has been repeatedly vocalised by the sex worker movement since the 1970s and found its way into sex work legislations of several countries,1 and into official documents of the International Labour Organisation (ILO),2 it is still downplayed or contested in some scholarly writing and, more frequently, in political debates. We refer here to the neo-abolitionist stance expressed (and enacted) in academia, public media, court rooms, and parliaments, which obstinately refuses to recognise sex work as work and, in turn, depicts it as indivisibly bound up with coercion, subjugation, and abuse. Some neo-abolitionist and anti-prostitution advocates go even further and state that regardless of the respective national setting, legal context or type of work environment in which it takes place, sex work represents in itself a form of violence, exploitation or even a manifestation of 'sexual slavery'.3 This conviction is not only untruthful and ideological but also very harmful and dangerous, as it spurs on attempts to eradicate sex work through legal developments, such as the criminalisation of third parties or clients, repressive policing of sex workers through municipal by-laws, or uneven anti-trafficking measures. In result, the neo-abolitionist stance contributes to the criminalisation of sex workers' workplaces and leads to their increasing victimisation as 'prostituted women' or 'sex slaves'. This community report aims to engage in the discussion over exploitation in the sex industry, while simultaneously challenging the neo-abolitionist definition of sex work (or 'prostitution') as 'sexual exploitation'. It argues that this approach obscures the complex realities of sex workers' lives and work arrangements, and in consequence fails to address the diversity of exploitative working practices that do occur in the sex industry. Both sex work, as form of work and income-generating activity, and exploitation in the sex industry, so labour arrangements that enable one person to take unfair advantage of the work of another person, belong to the realm of work and should be viewed and analysed through the lens of labour. Only by focusing on sex workers' working conditions, as well as employment practices and arrangements under which sexual services are sold and exchanged can we come to a better understanding of and challenge exploitation in sex industry Details: Amsterdam: ICRSE, 2016. 25p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 7, 2016 at: http://www.nswp.org/sites/nswp.org/files/Exploitation%20Report,%20ICRSE%20-%20May%202016.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Europe URL: http://www.nswp.org/sites/nswp.org/files/Exploitation%20Report,%20ICRSE%20-%20May%202016.pdf Shelf Number: 140234 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitutionSex IndustrySex WorkersSexual Exploitation |
Author: Asia Catalyst Title: The Condom Quandary: A Study of the Impact of Law Enforcement Practices on Effective HIV Prevention among Male, Female, and Transgender Sex Workers in China Summary: Sex work is illegal in China, and law enforcement practices that focus on condoms as evidence of prostitution are having a negative impact on HIV prevention among sex workers. When Lanlan, who runs a community based organization (CBO) and support group for sex workers in northern China, introduced female condoms to the female sex workers she works with as part of her CBO's HIV and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) program, their first reaction was: "The female condom is too big. We can't swallow it if the police come!" This story highlights the conundrum sex workers in China face when attempting to avoid penalties by law enforcement and protect themselves from sexually transmitted diseases and infections (STIs) and HIV. Details: New York: Asia Catalyst, 2016. 84p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 13, 2016 at: http://asiacatalyst.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/The-Condom-Quandary-Report_en.pdf Year: 2016 Country: China URL: http://asiacatalyst.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/The-Condom-Quandary-Report_en.pdf Shelf Number: 146787 Keywords: CondomsHIVProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers |
Author: Asia Catalyst Title: "My Life Is Too Dark To See the Light": A Survey of the Living Conditions of Transgender Female Sex Workers in Beijing and Shanghai Summary: Based on research in Beijing and Shanghai, China this report focuses on the daily life, working conditions, access to services, and legal frameworks for transgender female sex workers in China. Transgender female sex workers face a broad array of discrimination in social and policy frameworks, preventing this highly marginalized group's access to a wide spectrum of services and legal protections. They experience amplified stigma due to both their gender identity and their profession. Isolated and often humiliated when seeking public services, particularly in health care settings, has also led many to self-medicate and engage in dangerous transitioning practices, including on self-administered hormone use. In China, transgender people do not necessarily face outright legal penalties, but the absence of nondiscrimination laws and lack of enforcement of overarching policies on non-discriminatory access to healthcare and HIV related services, means they are left without effective protection. As sex work is illegal in China, transgender sex workers are further oppressed by the police and, due to social and other factors, engage in high risk activities that put them at increased risk of HIV and STD infection. The research for this report illuminates that the community of female presenting sex workers is very complex and includes men who have sex with men, transgender individuals, and transsexuals. Their vulnerabilities to HIV and their varied health needs need to be carefully assessed, strategically targeted, and addressed. As China is in the process of drafting a new HIV/AIDS action plan for 2016-2020, now is a good opportunity to develop a specific strategy on HIV prevention and care for the transgender community. Details: New York: Asia Catalyst, 2015. 79p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 13, 2016 at: http://asiacatalyst.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Asia-Catalyst-TG-SW-Report.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Asia URL: http://asiacatalyst.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Asia-Catalyst-TG-SW-Report.pdf Shelf Number: 140271 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitutionSex WorkersTransgender Persons |
Author: Sex Workers' Rights Advocacy Network (SWAN) Title: Failures of Justice: State and Non-State Violence Against Sex Workers and the Search for Safety and Redress Summary: This report is about sex work, violence and HIV in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The report provides the results of an extensive community-led research in sixteen countries of the region. It shows the daily violence that sex workers experience from police and clients and documents how violence is associated with lower capacity for HIV risk reduction. It further examines whether and how sex workers may try to halt impunity of law enforcement and access to justice. The figures speak for themselves. Forty percent of respondents in the survey have been arrested in the last twelve months, one in five experienced physical violence and one in seven experienced sexual violence by police. Twenty percent of respondents reported extortion. The report tells us also how condoms are routinely used by police as "evidence of crime", how syringes are confiscated or destroyed on a daily basis, and how street-based workers are displaced from their work location as a consequence of arrests, extortion and fines. It contributes with evidence from the region to the published literature documenting how poor policing practices are causally associated with a lower capacity for risk reduction, poor access to services and increased exposure to HIV. It describes how the fear that someone's drug use or sex work may be reported to police or to child welfare authorities, would discourage sex workers from seeking services, HIV testing and entering the care system. Eastern Europe and Central Asia is the region of the world that has witnessed the largest increase in HIV prevalence over the last ten years and where the epidemic continues to expand. The number of people living with HIV now exceeds 1.4 million. The epidemic is concentrated in that it primarily affects vulnerable groups of the population. Access to HIV treatment remains particularly low in the region. Less than 50 % of people estimated to be infected with HIV know their serologic status and less than a third of the people who have been diagnosed with HIV access antiretroviral treatment. Epidemiological data on sex workers and on other vulnerable groups are scarce because of criminalization of these groups and lack of sentinel surveillance. Throughout the region, sex workers, people who inject drugs and other vulnerable groups are either 'illegal' or face discriminatory legislation and policies. There are high levels of stigma and discrimination, poor access to prevention and care services and an understandable distrust of affected groups towards the public system. Most support services directed to sex workers and people who inject drugs are provided by civil society and community groups who are doing remarkable work - often without adequate resources and in hostile environments. These services have been funded for years by the Global Fund. The Fund however, is now leaving the region, and no mechanisms are in place to allow for the NGO and community-based peer outreach to be funded from governmental budgets. The risk that many of the services will be discontinued and that discontinuation will result in further epidemic outbreaks of HIV, is real. Discriminatory laws, regulations and policies, including those that give a sense of impunity to perpetrators of violence against sex workers - need to be traded for supportive and stigma-free environments that allow sex workers to access crucial health care services, including sexual and reproductive health services and HIV prevention, treatment and care. In other words, we need above all to ensure that human rights are at the forefront of everything we do. Details: Budapest, SWAN, 2015. 108p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 17, 2016 at: http://www.nswp.org/sites/nswp.org/files/Failures%20of%20Justice%20State%20and%20Non-State%20Violence%2C%20SWAN%20-%20September%202015.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Europe URL: http://www.nswp.org/sites/nswp.org/files/Failures%20of%20Justice%20State%20and%20Non-State%20Violence%2C%20SWAN%20-%20September%202015.pdf Shelf Number: 124629 Keywords: HIVProstitutesProstitutionSex WorkersViolence |
Author: Polaris Project Title: More than Drinks for Sale: Exposing Sex Trafficking in Cantinas & Bars in the U.S. Summary: Across the United States, thousands of Latina women are prisoners of the sex trafficking industry in bars and cantinas. These women are victims of an underground sex economy, run by traffickers who go largely untouched. From December 2007 to March 2016, the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline and BeFree Textline identified 1,300 potential victims from Latin America in cantina-related cases in 20 U.S. states and Puerto Rico. Deceived and enticed with false promises of good jobs or a better life, victims are lured to the U.S. by some of the most violent trafficking networks operating in the country and are forced to engage in commercial sex. Polaris's new report More than Drinks for Sale: Exposing Sex Trafficking in Cantinas and Bars in the U.S. details how these commercial-front brothels continue to operate largely unchecked by posing as traditional bars or nightclubs - and highlights the need to eradicate this crime and support its survivors. Details: Washington, DC: Polaris, 2016. 40p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 20, 2016 at: http://polarisproject.org/sites/default/files/Cantinas-SexTrafficking-EN.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: http://polarisproject.org/sites/default/files/Cantinas-SexTrafficking-EN.pdf Shelf Number: 145619 Keywords: Human traffickingProstitutesProstitutionSex TraffickingSex WorkersSexual Exploitation |
Author: Hamilton, Paul Title: Reducing Demand, Controlling Supply: Evaluating new street-level prostitution policy interventions and paradigms in Nottingham. Summary: This thesis describes and explains the impact of a number of policy initiatives intended to tackle the demand for, and supply of, street-level markets operating in Nottingham. The research triangulated survey data undertaken with 104 men attending a Nottingham-based 'Kerb-Crawler Rehabilitation Programme' (the 'Change' Programme) and interview data with twenty-two 'working girls', ten 'punters' and ten agency/Criminal Justice professionals. Current sociological and criminological writings on prostitution suggest that recent policy interventions are broadly representative of a 'paradigm shift' away from punitive-only initiatives aimed at working girls, towards the criminalisation of men that pay for (street-level) sex. Whilst these policy interventions are bedevilled by contradictions and inconsistencies, there is an inherent assumption that demand reductions can, and will, lead to a corresponding contraction in supply. In light of this, the thrust of the analysis in this thesis focused on several key questions: do policy interventions - particularly those concerned with 're-educating' punters - reduce the recidivism rates amongst identified street-level punters? Do 'new' policy initiatives deter 'new' punters into Nottingham's street-level sex markets? Do they facilitate 'exiting' for street-level working girls? And overarching all of this: can we rely upon simplistic economic assumptions about the relationship between supply and demand to street-level markets? Details: Nottingham, UK: Nottingham Trent University, 2009. 513p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed September 28, 2016 at: http://irep.ntu.ac.uk/164/ Year: 2009 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://irep.ntu.ac.uk/164/ Shelf Number: 140482 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers |
Author: Yarfitz, Mir Title: Polacos, White Slaves, and Stille Chuppahs: Organized Prostitution and the Jews of Buenos Aires, 1890-1939 Summary: This dissertation explores the particularly prominent role of Jews in coercive sex trafficking, then called white slavery in Buenos Aires when it was considered to be the world capital. The project aims to de-exoticize the subject by comparing Jewish pimps and prostitutes to other immigrants, grounding them in the neighborhoods they lived in, exploring the concrete concerns of their opponents, and connecting the broader discourses around these issues to transnational conversations about migration, sexuality, and the significance of race, ethnicity, and nationhood - the establishment of the boundaries of whiteness - in the furor around white slavery. I introduce new evidence about the Zwi Migdal Society (also called the Varsovia Society), a powerful mutual aid and burial association of Jewish pimps based in the Argentine capital. Ostracized by the nascent Argentine Jewish community, the Zwi Migdal Society nonetheless developed the same communal structures as those found in conventional voluntary immigrant associations: a burial society, a synagogue, health benefits, and peer recognition. My archival discoveries underline the significance of this battle to the local Jewish community's centralization and the shifting international articulation of norms around morality, marriage, family, and labor, and develop a history that opens into larger issues of migration, identity, women's agency and transatlantic politics. Based on archival research in Buenos Aires, Geneva, New York, London, and Southampton, this project builds upon previous scholarship through new archival discoveries and close analysis of local and international press. Details: Los Angeles: University of California, Los Angeles, 2012. 345p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed October 20, 2016 at: http://escholarship.org/uc/item/7bx304mn Year: 2012 Country: Argentina URL: http://escholarship.org/uc/item/7bx304mn Shelf Number: 140818 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitution Sex Trafficking Sexual Exploitation |
Author: Macleod, Jan Title: Challenging Men's Demand for Prostitution in Scotland: A Research Report Based on Interviews with 110 Men Who Bought Women in Prostitution Summary: Public awareness of prostitution as a human rights issue has grown in recent years, along with an understanding of the harm resulting from sexual exploitation as commercial enterprise. There is also recognition of the need to understand prostitution in its cultural contexts, and the need to understand the social structures and the psychological articulation of misogyny that stimulates and sustains prostitution as a social institution. The authors of this research report realise that although it is essential to address the urgent mental and physical needs of women and children during prostitution and after their escape, it is also imperative to address men's demand for prostitution which is at the root of the problem. Acceptance of prostitution is one of a cluster of harmful attitudes that encourage and justify violence against women. Violent behaviours against women have been associated with attitudes that promote men's belief that they are entitled to sexual access to women, that they are superior to women, and that they are licensed as sexual aggressors. Men who use women in prostitution strongly endorse such attitudes toward women (Cotton et al., 2002, Farley et al., 1998). There has been considerable debate in Scotland on how best to address prostitution and other commercial sexual exploitation, including what is euphemistically termed adult entertainment. The Routes Out of Prostitution Partnership and other projects that have challenged prostitution in Glasgow in the past decade have been informed by an understanding of prostitution as commercial sexual exploitation and as a form of violence against women. Prevention of prostitution is a key aim of this work. The findings of this research will contribute to an understanding of and strategies for challenging men's demand for prostitution. Details: Glasgow: Women's Support Project, 2008. 40p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 21, 2016 at: http://www.prostitutionresearch.com/ChallengingDemandScotland.pdf Year: 2008 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.prostitutionresearch.com/ChallengingDemandScotland.pdf Shelf Number: 110473 Keywords: Human RightsProstitutesProstitutionSex WorkersViolence Against Women |
Author: Okara, Umeka Akubuike Title: A Survey of Male Attendees at Sandyford Initiative: Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs and Behaviours in Relation to Prostitution Summary: ABSTRACT OBJECTIVES: To gain a detailed understanding of the knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours in relation to prostitution among male attendees at a routine clinical sexual health service. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey using purposive sampling. SETTING: The Sandyford Initiative, Glasgow. PARTICIPANTS: 241 male attendees at the GUM drop-in and Corner clinics of The Sandyford Initiative. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours. RESULTS: 440 males attended the clinics during the study period. Of 346 men approached, 241 (69.7%) accepted participation. There was no statistically significant difference between the men who participated in the study and the men who did not participate in terms of their age (t=-0.638, p=0.523); deprivation area (X 2 =1.889, p=0.339); sexual orientation (X 2 =0.111, p=0.739); and diagnosis of STI (X 2 =0.561, p=0.454). The clients of prostitutes are varied and are not significantly different from non-clients except in their occupational status (p<0.001). While, non-clients were likely to show better knowledge on the level of risk involved in patronizing prostitutes, the clients show significantly better knowledge on the problems of prostitutes. Non-clients were more likely to feel that it is acceptable for a father or son to pay for sex (p=0.011); it is difficult to leave prostitution once into it (p<0.011); and that prostitution is not wrong (p<0.011). They are less likely to feel that women freely choose to be involved in prostitution (p<0.011). The motivational factors which cause men to purchase sex act are consistent with other research findings. 15.4% (n=37) of the respondents had ever paid for sex. 65.8%of the respondents had watched pornography. Greater proportion (81.1%) of those who had paid for sex had watched pornography as compared to 63.1% of those who had not paid for sex. Three quarters of the clients first paid for sex when they were 16-20 years old and a further 22.8% did that at 21-25 years. Vaginal sex was the commonest sex bought and clients were more likely to buy sex abroad. CONCLUSIONS: It is feasible to study men's perspectives of prostitution at a routine clinical sexual health service setting. The clients of prostitutes are varied and are not significantly different from non-clients except in their occupational status. Clients were more in paid employment and were less self employed or unemployed than non-clients. While, non-clients show more knowledge on the level of risk involved in patronizing prostitutes, the clients show significantly better knowledge on the problems of prostitutes. The motivational factors which cause men to purchase sex act are consistent with other research findings. 15.4% (n=37) of the respondents had ever paid for sex. Watching pornography was significantly associated with paying for sex. Payment for sex is commonly initiated before the age of 20. Vaginal sex was the commonest sex bought and clients were more likely to buy sex abroad. Details: Glasgow: University of Glasgow, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Public Health and Health Policy, 2005. 119p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed November 14, 2016 at: http://www.womenssupportproject.co.uk/userfiles/file/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20Project.pdf Year: 2005 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.womenssupportproject.co.uk/userfiles/file/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20Project.pdf Shelf Number: 146674 Keywords: PornographyProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers |
Author: Skidmore, Michael Title: The role and impact of organised crime in the local off-street sex market Summary: Key Messages • In a single city 65 brothels, linked to 74 offenders, were identified over a two-year period. Over three quarters (77 per cent) displayed links to organised crime groups. • There was a high level of turnover and movement of those working in brothels. In a third (29 per cent) of brothels there was evidence that sex workers' movements had been controlled. • Organised crime pervades the off-street sex market but was not prioritised for a response by local police teams. • No single agency took ownership of the problem of exploitation in the off-street sex market and there was very little proactive engagement with vulnerable sex workers. Details: London: The Police Foundation, 2016. 6p. Source: Internet Resource: Reducing the Impact of Serious Organised Crime in Local Communities: Accessed November 16, 2016 at: http://www.police-foundation.org.uk/uploads/holding/projects/organised_crime_and_the_adult_sex_market.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.police-foundation.org.uk/uploads/holding/projects/organised_crime_and_the_adult_sex_market.pdf Shelf Number: 144846 Keywords: Organized CrimeProstitutesProstitutionSex MarketsSex Workers |
Author: Douse, Kirstie Title: Sex Workers and the Law Summary: "Sex Workers and the Law" outlines: the criminal offences related to sex working and the buying of sexual services; offences specific to premises used for sex working; the law around anti social behaviour orders; dealing with the police and the criminal justice system more generally; criminal records; trafficking offences; advice on tax and the rules around non British sex workers. In short, it is hoped that this publication will be a practical guide for those whose sex work and those involved in the industry as well as statutory and voluntary agencies, and other professionals who come into contact with those involved in the sex industry. Release is a charity which since 1967 has offered advocacy, education, campaigning and the only free helpline specialising in drug-related legal issues. Our advice is professional and confidential and it is our aim to promote understanding of drug-related issues and to support an often marginalised section of society. Details: London: Release: Drugs, The Law & Human Rights, 2017. 144p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 2, 2017 at: http://www.release.org.uk/sites/default/files/pdf/publications/SEX_WORKERS_%26_THE_LAW_2017.pdf Year: 2017 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.release.org.uk/sites/default/files/pdf/publications/SEX_WORKERS_%26_THE_LAW_2017.pdf Shelf Number: 141295 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitutionSex IndustrySex Workers |
Author: Cameron, Lisa Title: Crimes against Morality: Unintended Consequences of Criminalizing Sex Work Summary: We exploit a natural experiment in which local officials criminalized sex work in one district in East Java, Indonesia, and not in a neighboring district, to estimate the impact of criminalizing sex work on the health and risk behaviors of female sex workers and their clients. We utilize a unique dataset comprised of the first panel data on female sex workers and the first data on clients of sex workers. We find evidence that criminalization increased the prevalence of STIs among female sex workers by 58 percent, measured by health exam results. The main mechanism driving this increase is decreased access to condoms by 62 percent and an increase in non-condom use during commercial sex transactions. We rule out other changes, such as increased transactions or clients per sex worker. This research presents new evidence that criminalizing sex work can put an already vulnerable population in a more precarious situation. Details: Unpublished paper, 2016. 41p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 10, 2017 at: Year: 2016 Country: Indonesia URL: Shelf Number: 144437 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitution Sex Work Sex Workers |
Author: Struiksma, N. Title: The escort branche Supervision and enforcement (full text only available in Dutch) Summary: On 10 November 2009 a legislative proposal was submitted on rules regulating prostitution and combatting abuse in the sex industry (Wrp) with the objective of reducing local and regional differences, gaining more insight into and control over the sex industry by regulating prostitution as a business and facilitating supervision and enforcement. Once the Wrp has been adopted all municipalities will have to introduce a licensing requirement for prostitution businesses, including escort businesses. Some municipalities have already been issuing licenses for escort businesses for many years. But this does not mean that all escort businesses and escorts working independently apply for a license. At the time of writing, the Wrp has not yet been adopted. Assignment At the request of the WODC (Research and Documentation Centre) and in collaboration with Intraval, Pro Facto conducted research into the supervision and enforcement of and compliance with (administrative) rules for escort businesses. The core research question is: What form of supervision and enforcement is applied to the escort branch, what were the results, problems and secondary effects, how can municipalities improve compliance within the escort branch and what good practices are there for supervision and enforcement in this field? To answer this question we started with a document and literature study. In addition, in ten municipalities, selected in consultation with the supervisory committee, we made a detailed study of the local situation with regard to escort policy and the supervision and enforcement thereof. We also interviewed different people including municipality staff involved in escort policy, police officers, who implement the supervision of the escort branch, operators, interest groups' spokespersons and people from different organisations who are involved in making national policy. Finally, we had the opportunity to accompany prostitution management teams in three different municipalities to find out how these set about their work and we interviewed both the members of these teams and the escorts themselves. Policy All ten municipalities studied require a license for escort activities although they apply different definitions of what constitutes an escort business. The definition currently applied by six of the ten municipalities is based on the so called location criteria: it is assumed that the escort activities take place elsewhere, so not on the business premises. An important criterion at four of the ten municipalities concerns the ‘mediation’ between client and prostitute. However, exactly what should be understood by mediation is not always clear. All the municipalities studied included the concept 'commercial' in their definition, but here too the majority of municipalities have not defined what should be understood by this. In the Wrp 'escort business' will be defined as follows: 'the activity constitutes providing the commercial opportunity for prostitution in the form of mediation between client and prostitute'. Almost all municipalities have announced their intention to adopt this definition, inasmuch as they have not already done so, in the General Municipal Byelaw (APV). Legal implications The criteria for escort activities are, based on the definition of an escort business, easy to enforce if the escort activities are carried out in a transparent manner. However, in practice there is a shift taking place from the traditional form of escort business to other forms, such as an escort working independently (with no mediator) and home prostitution. Municipalities deal with this in different ways. The majority of the ten municipalities studied classify escorts working independently as an escort business. The municipalities argue that an escort can mediate on his or her own behalf and in such situations is therefore also subject to the licensing requirement. The fact that there is no mediator is, according to them, irrelevant. However, one municipality does not classify an escort working independently as an escort business. This municipality questions whether it is indeed at all possible to class this way of working under an existing definition. Municipalities also deal with home prostitution in different ways. When people offer their services as an escort and subsequently work at home some municipalities are uncertain about under which rule they fall. Whether or not escort activities require a license partly depends on whether the activities have a commercial character. Most municipalities say that as soon as an advertisement is placed, in practice there is no doubt about the commercial character. Other municipalities say that although there is no doubt about the commercial character, the problem is establishing this. Parliamentary history provides a few factors that are decisive for establishing the commercial nature of activities, but these have never been set out in more detail. In connection with the above it is relevant that the minister recently (mid 2016) announced that an individual prostitute can never be a business as referred to in the law. The license requirement under the Wrp only applies for the operator and not for home workers or prostitutes working independently. Administrative and criminal supervision In nine of the ten municipalities studied it is the police that are responsible for supervision on behalf of the municipalities. The police supervise wearing two hats. First they are the administrative supervisor but at the same time they are also responsible for criminal investigations. Municipalities regulate specific activities, including escort activities, in the APV. Logically, the authority to lay down rules and apply a licensing policy does not extend beyond the municipal boundary within which the municipal body exercises its authority. So when a specific act results in a breach of the APV, that offense can only be sanctioned to the extent that the act was committed within the municipality's boundary. In the case of escort activities this is complicated because the activities can be divided into two phases: the mediation phase (phase 1) and the actual performance of the 'agreement' (phase 2) that often takes place in a municipality other than that in which the escort business is established and where the mediation took place. This division gives rise to the question of who is responsible for enforcement. The text in the explanatory memorandum seems to suggest that only the municipality in which the escort business is established is responsible for enforcement. But there is not necessarily always an establishment, which complicates the question of who is responsible for enforcement. Details: Groningen: Rijksuniversiteit Groningen - Pro Facto, 2016. 5p. (English Summary) Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 4, 2017 at: https://english.wodc.nl/onderzoeksdatabase/2439-evaluatie-toezicht-en-handhaving-van-de-vergunde-en-illegale-prostitutiebranche.aspx?refTitle=zUuTtpRskjvV7SDR3SAS4Oe_xI1SwtdRVLpvCrdZotQqpqYVSgKX_KUT3M13pat7TU7qlLShVAUK53aZM3rlZ2WNxhC5UR3JmeDnGpGLHJM1&refId=6FaBPJpYfIgsBMhKPdYOUqztTJt4zw6yNqaXc2HCl34j5rVp4DdeNDnPBgvn4yQGW61QaVKlVHG6WcdkullLAA2 Year: 2016 Country: Netherlands URL: https://english.wodc.nl/onderzoeksdatabase/2439-evaluatie-toezicht-en-handhaving-van-de-vergunde-en-illegale-prostitutiebranche.aspx?refTitle=zUuTtpRskjvV7SDR3SAS4Oe_xI1SwtdRVLpvCrdZotQqpqYVSgKX_KUT3M13pat7TU7qlLShVAUK53aZM3r Shelf Number: 144707 Keywords: Escort Business ProstitutesProstitution Sex Industry Sex Workers |
Author: Sagar, Tracey Title: Off Street Sex Work in Cardiff: Identifying Service Provision Needs Summary: This document reports on the findings of the research "Off Street Sex Work in Cardiff: Identifying Service Provision Needs" which was conducted between November 2010 and February 2011. Off street sex work takes place in Cardiff as it does in many major cities across the United Kingdom (UK). However, little is known about the nature of off street sex work in Cardiff, and even less about the sexual health needs of off street workers. There is indeed a dearth of data regarding this particular group of sex workers generally throughout the UK and an absence of knowledge with regard to the off street market in Cardiff. This report seeks to fill this gap in local knowledge and in doing so inform the work of Terrence Higgins Trust Cymru (THT) in order that the Charity can expand its service provision to off street sex workers. The project sought to engage sex workers who work off street in brothels / sauna / massage / parlour establishments in Cardiff. It also sought to engage sex workers who work independently as sex workers / escorts and those who work though escort agencies. Overall the research aimed to: · Provide a literature review of research on sex work in Cardiff. · Provide an estimation of the numbers of off street sex workers in Cardiff. · Provide an insight into the sexual health of off street workers in Cardiff. · Highlight the sexual health 'needs' of off street sex workers. · Inform the development of THT's sexual health services for off street workers. The research and research process also sought to: · Provide a stepping stone to establishing a relationship of trust between THT Cymru and off street workers. · Gain an understanding of the support networks (if any) of off street workers. · Report on the experiences of off street workers and bring the voices of off street workers into the policy development framework. Details: Swansea, Wales, UK: Criminal Justice and Criminology, Swansea University, 2011. 90p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 5, 2017 at: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa17432 Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa17432 Shelf Number: 144721 Keywords: EscortsProstitutesProstitutionSex WorkersStreet Workers |
Author: Sanders-McDonagh, Erin Title: Women's Open Space Project Evaluation: Final Report Summary: This report presents findings from an evaluation of the WOS project, carried out between July 2011 and March 2012. The evaluation sought to analyze the impact and efficacy of services offered to street-based sex workers by WOS and to look at the NHYC model of engagement with young women at risk of sexual exploitation. This report will provide an analysis of service delivery and user-engagement with WOS and NHYC, and will highlight areas of best practice in engaging with street-based sex workers and with young women at risk of sexual exploitation. The Women's Open Space (WOS) project works with street-based sex workers in North London, effectively combines outreach and drop-in services to meet the specific needs of their client base. Women at the drop-in felt the most vital services they received related to housing, health (physical, sexual, and mental), and emotional support. WOS has helped women make positive changes to their lives and encourages them to engage with services that are appropriate for them. Many of the women at the drop-in had reduced or stabilized their drug use; some of them were practicing safer sex because of information and advice received at the service; others were in stable accommodation as a direct result of the WOS project's intercession. The organizational philosophy of WOS means that the services provided for sex workers are user-led and take a holistic approach to helping women. This gives women a sense of ownership about their interactions with the project, and all of the women we spoke to felt the WOS project had made a significant difference to their physical and emotional well being. WOS work effectively with other third sector and statutory bodies to ensure that sex workers have access to a range of services that will help provide support and stability. Their positive working relationships are evidence of good practice in the field. Young women who are at risk of sexual exploitation are effectively engaged with youth services through the New Horizon Youth Centre (NHYC). WOS and NHYC work together to ensure that young women who are at risk of sexual exploitation or who are facing sexually exploitative situations are encouraged to access targeted youth interventions, which diverts young women from becoming fully entrenched in sex working. This cooperative model is something that could and should be employed in other areas. Both WOS and NHYC take a holistic approach to working with their clients, and have built up trust with women that are particularly 'hard-to-reach'. These relationships are having a positive impact on the lives of those who attend the drop-in services, which is partly due to the model of working, but also connects to the particular knowledge and expertise of the WOS/NHYC staff. Introduction Details: London: New Horizon Youth Centre, 2012. 73p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 22, 2017 at: http://eprints.mdx.ac.uk/14536/3/WOSFinalReport2012Sept.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://eprints.mdx.ac.uk/14536/3/WOSFinalReport2012Sept.pdf Shelf Number: 145163 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitutionSex WorkersSexual ExploitationStreet Prostitution |
Author: Southern Africa Litigation Centre Title: No Justice for the Poor: A Preliminary Study of the Law and Practice Relating to Arrests for Nuisance-Related Offences in Blantyre, Malawi Summary: The use of outdated Penal Code provisions and abuses by police against poor persons and sex workers specifically has caused some concern among many working on legal and human rights issues in Malawi. This research emanates from concerns by the Southern African Litigation Centre (SALC) and Centre for Human Rights Education, Advice and Assistance (CHREAA) specifically regarding the use of the Penal Code provisions relating to idle and disorderly persons and rogues and vagabonds in Malawi: 1. The provisions relating to idle and disorderly persons and rogues and vagabonds in the Penal Code are dated and vague in formulation. To apply such offences in their current form is unfair and constitutes an abuse of the rights of those arrested on such charges. 2. Arrests for offences relating to idle and disorderly persons and rogues and vagabonds often violate the requirements for a lawful arrest. In addition, such arrests contribute to overcrowding in police cells and are often used without any consideration of alternatives to an arrest. 3. The arrest of persons for minor nuisance-related offences is often applied disproportionately to the poor in society, who are more likely to be assumed to violate such offences, and are more likely to be found in circumstances that could lead to such arrests and who are less able to assert their rights and access legal support to dispute unlawful arrests. Despite the existence of laws and constitutional provisions which seek to protect rights, little has been done to ascertain the actual experiences of community members, especially of vulnerable groups, when confronted with police enforcement of idle and disorderly and rogue and vagabond offences. As such this research is original, but also shows that further enquiry is needed to determine the impact of these laws on the poor in Malawi. The purpose of this research was to ascertain the extent of police's enforcement of offences relating to idle and disorderly persons and rogues and vagabonds. Research was conducted in Blantyre, Malawi and focused on the arrest practices of Blantyre and Limbe police stations. Over a four month period, the researchers collected information on the number of arrests effected at these police stations for nuisance-related offences. Researchers interviewed ten police officers and five magistrates to understand the reasons for such arrests and the courts' approach to persons who appeared before them on nuisance-related charges. The researchers were aware that sex workers were often targeted by police through the use of offences relating to idle and disorderly persons and rogues and vagabonds. However, the data obtained from police stations did not shed light on the number of such arrests made by police officers. For this reason, the researchers also interviewed fifteen sex workers to better understand their experiences with the police. Details: Johannesburg: The Centre, 2013. 72p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 9, 2017 at: http://www.prisonstudies.org/sites/default/files/resources/downloads/salc_nojustice_report_proof_05.pdf Year: 2013 Country: Malawi URL: http://www.prisonstudies.org/sites/default/files/resources/downloads/salc_nojustice_report_proof_05.pdf Shelf Number: 131175 Keywords: Nuisance Behaviors and DisorderProstitutesSex WorkersVagrancy |
Author: Lepp, Annalee Title: 2010 Winter Games Analysis on Human Trafficking Summary: Between February and August 2010, GAATW Canada researchers conducted a qualitative research project, funded by Public Safety Canada, on possible increases in transnational and domestic human trafficking in British Columbia in connection with the 2010 Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Games. Research involved examining available data on the link between trafficking in persons and previous mega sporting events, analyzing media, online, and public discussions that focused on human trafficking prior to and during the Olympic Games, and conducting telephone, in-person, and e-mail interviews with 61 key informants, federal and provincial representatives, enforcement personnel, members of non-governmental organizations, as well as legal and human rights advocates. In the process of investigating the main research question, the research team also considered the dynamics of pre-Olympic anti-trafficking discourses and campaigns, what trafficking in persons prevention measures were implemented by governmental, enforcement, and non-governmental sectors and the reported effectiveness of those strategies, as well as the key recommendations that emerged from interview participants. The interview data provided contrary evidence about whether or not there were indications that human trafficking had occurred prior to and during the 2010 Olympic Games. Nonetheless, without out ruling the possibility that human trafficking for the purposes of labour and sexual exploitation might have evaded detection with the risk of domestic trafficking into the commercial sex sector specifically mentioned, the vast majority of informants across stakeholder sectors suggested that they had no specific knowledge of or that there was no concrete and verifiable evidence of trafficking in persons for the purposes of sexual or labour exploitation linked to the 2010 Olympic Games. In addition, as of the end of August 2010, no trafficking in persons cases connected to the event had reached the level of investigation. There was also no strong evidence of a significant spike in male demand for paid sexual services during the Olympic Games. In the absence of evidence-based research, which has systematically assessed the fan base of or measured male demand for paid sexual services during mega sporting events, it is unclear whether this was a feature unique to what some interviewees described as a more "family-oriented" event like the Winter Olympics or mega sporting events more generally. Available data suggests, however, that during presumably less "family-centred" international sporting events like the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cups, the anticipated or forecasted level of demand did not materialize. The key recommendations that emerged from the interview data included the following: - Examine the histories of and the lessons learned from previous international sporting events as well as the policies and practices implemented by other host nations/regions. This would include an analysis of the anticipated fan base. - Engage in an early assessment of the risk of human trafficking in the host country/region/city using an evidence-based approach, and develop appropriate prevention strategies accordingly. Labour trafficking should receive equivalent attention to trafficking in persons for the purpose of sexual exploitation, and prevention initiatives, including guiding principles for employers, should be initiated during the infrastructure and venue construction phase. - Establish mechanisms based on a consistent definitional methodology to track trafficking in persons information, data, and measurements, and conduct data collection prior, during, and after the event. - Strategic planning and implementation should include the development of a clearly defined human trafficking prevention plan with milestones and benchmarks, the fostering of partnerships, networks, coordination, and information sharing among relevant government agencies, enforcement bodies, and with NGOs, and the establishment of appropriate investigative protocols and referral mechanisms to monitor the situation on the ground and to respond to the support needs of trafficked persons. Key partnerships and consultations on strategic planning should also involve Indigenous, youth, sex worker, and migrant worker organizations/advocates as well as grassroots community-based groups. - In consultation with relevant NGOs and community-based partners, ensure that relevant and funded service strategies are in place to serve the needs of trafficked persons, as well as irregular migrant workers (including free and confidential legal advice and representation, interpreters, and translation). - Conduct targeted trafficking in persons awareness training of enforcement personnel (police officers, immigration and border officials), criminal justice officials, labour inspectors, first responders and NGO partners, as well as private sector employers and employees in such areas as construction, hospitality services, and transportation. This instruction should also include "sensitivity training" of all security and enforcement officers seconded to the event. Special attention should be paid to non-discriminatory treatment of foreign nationals at ports of entry and temporary foreign workers regardless of labour site, as well as to the rights, safety, and needs of marginalized, stigmatized, vulnerable, and diverse local populations whose lives and work might be negatively impacted by the influx of tourists, an enhanced security and enforcement apparatus in their communities, as well as by certain anti-trafficking interventions. - Devise and initiate a national or regional trafficking in persons public awareness campaign, with input from all relevant community stakeholders. Such a campaign should be accurate, evidence-based, and adhere to the principle of "do no harm." While the above recommendations are consistent with those found in assessments of other mega sporting events, two additional themes emerged from the interview data. The first focused on the important need to foster collaborative partnerships and consultations on strategic planning with communities with on-the-ground knowledge of trafficking in persons and those whose lives and work might be adversely affected by the enhanced security and enforcement presence and anti-trafficking interventions during international sporting events. In the context of the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver, the beginnings of such a model was evident and could be extended to include other grassroots, community-based representatives. The second theme concentrated on the critical necessity to adopt an evidence-based strategic approach and practice. Applicable to governmental, enforcement, and non-governmental agencies, this underlying principle would shape the planning and implementation of human trafficking prevention strategies, public awareness and media campaigns, as well as necessary assistance measures for trafficked persons should the need materialize. Details: Ottawa: Public Safety Canada, 2013. 85p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 9,. 2017 at: https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/pblctns/wntr-gms-2010/wntr-gms-2010-eng.pdf Year: 2013 Country: Canada URL: https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/pblctns/wntr-gms-2010/wntr-gms-2010-eng.pdf Shelf Number: 131176 Keywords: Forced LaborHuman TraffickingOlympicsProstitutesProstitutionSex WorkersSporting Events |
Author: MacDonald, Adrienne A. Title: The Conditions of Area Restrictions in Canadian Cities: Street Sex Work and Access to Public Space Summary: "Area restriction" is the umbrella term used for this thesis to consider geography-based, individually- assigned orders issued by criminal justice agents to remove and restrict targets from particular city spaces. This research focuses on 13 Canadian cities that use arrest-and-release area restriction strategies to managing street sex work(ers). Despite heavy criticism for their punitive nature, area restrictions have received little academic attention. This project takes an exploratory and descriptive approach to the issue in order to develop a platform for future research. Using qualitative, non-experimental methods it also critically analyzes the implementation, logic and reported impacts of the strategies while drawing implications for how area restrictions relate to citizenship statuses of sex workers by mapping exclusions onto the city. Multiple data sources were included but the most significant and compelling information comes from interviews with police officers and community agency workers. Findings suggest that area restriction strategies contribute to substantial social divides between sex workers and other community members, but also between sex workers and important services, resources and their community. At the same time, the strategy is reported as a "temporary relief" measure that is ineffective at lessening sex trade activity and often leads to displacement and dispersal of sex work(ers). However, collaborative efforts in some cities show promise for achieving goals of 'helping sex workers off the street.' Realistic recommendations for area restriction strategies are made that lead to more inclusive approaches that are considerate of needs and concerns of all interest groups linked to the "prostitution problem." Details: Ottawa: University of Ottawa, 2012. 319p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed May 10, 2017 at: http://ruor.uottawa.ca/handle/10393/23352 Year: 2012 Country: Canada URL: http://ruor.uottawa.ca/handle/10393/23352 Shelf Number: 145395 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitutionPublic SpaceSex Workers |
Author: Dodsworth, Jane Title: A Study of the Support Needs of Sex Workers Across Norfolk, UK Summary: The aim of the study was to provide a picture of sex work across Norfolk, including sex workers' expressed needs for services and the services currently on offer. The literature suggests that there is increasing diversity both in the types of sex work undertaken and the environments where the work takes place. Street work, although a visible aspect of sex work, constitutes a small proportion of the number of people engaged in sex work with the majority of individuals being more hidden and harder to access. This has implications for support service providers as needs and access are likely to differ between the groups of sex workers. The study took place over six months between June and December 2014. A brief literature review was undertaken to establish the wider context and patterns of sex work and key issues. The findings reported are based on: Interviews with 14 sex workers (on-street workers and escorts); Questionnaires for professionals and agencies across Norfolk; Four interviews with representatives from police, sex workers support projects and a sexual assault referral centre; A focus group with professionals from agencies who sometimes come into contact with sex workers; A detailed search of the website AdultWork to provide a snapshot of the numbers of escorts advertising their services across Norfolk The research was posted on an online forum for escorts and comments and suggestions for service needs posted by escorts were used as data. Details: Norwich, UK: Centre for Research on Children and Families University of East Anglia, 2014. 96p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 26, 2017 at: https://www.uea.ac.uk/documents/3437903/4264977/Matrix+FINAL+12+March+2015.pdf/e78fef51-952d-437d-8df3-e7acc141f9c7 Year: 2014 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.uea.ac.uk/documents/3437903/4264977/Matrix+FINAL+12+March+2015.pdf/e78fef51-952d-437d-8df3-e7acc141f9c7 Shelf Number: 145814 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitution Sex Workers |
Author: Collins, Susan E. Title: LEAD Program Evaluation: Criminal Justice and Legal System Utilization and Associated Costs Summary: -- Background: LEAD is a prebooking diversion program that offers low-level drug and prostitution offenders harm reduction-oriented case management and legal services as an alternative to incarceration and prosecution. -- Purpose: This report describes findings from a quantitative analysis comparing outcomes for LEAD participants versus "system-as-usual" control participants on criminal justice and legal system utilization (i.e., jail, prison, prosecution, defense) and associated costs. - Findings: - The cost of the LEAD program averaged $899 per person per month. However, these costs included program start-up and decreased to $532 per month towards the end of the evaluation. - Across nearly all outcomes, we observed statistically significant reductions for the LEAD group compared to the control group on average yearly criminal justice and legal system utilization and associated costs. - Jail bookings: Compared to the control group, LEAD program participants had 1.4 fewer jail bookings on average per year subsequent to their evaluation entry. - Jail days: Compared to the control group, the LEAD group spent 39 fewer days in jail per year subsequent to their evaluation entry. - Prison incarceration: Compared to the control group, the LEAD group had 87% lower odds of at least one prison incarceration subsequent to evaluation entry. - Misdemeanor and felony cases: There were no statistically significant LEAD effects on the average yearly number of misdemeanor cases. Compared to control participants, however, LEAD participants showed significant reductions in felony cases. - Costs associated with criminal justice and legal system utilization: From pre- to post-evaluation entry, LEAD participants showed substantial cost reductions (-$2100), whereas control participants showed cost increases (+$5961). -- Interpretation of findings: - LEAD program costs were commensurate with another supportive program for homeless individuals in King County. It should be noted that LEAD program costs will vary widely across communities depending on LEAD participant characteristics (e.g., prevalence of homelessness) and community factors (e.g., cost of living, Medicaid coverage). - Compared to system-as-usual controls, LEAD participants evinced meaningful and statistically significant reductions in criminal justice and legal system utilization and associated costs. -- Next Steps: This report is one in a series being prepared by the University of Washington LEAD Evaluation Team over a two-year period. The next report will be released in Winter 2015/2016 and will report on within-subjects changes among LEAD participants on psychosocial, housing and quality-of-life outcomes following their participation in LEAD. Details: Seattle: Harm Reduction Research and Treatment Lab University of Washington - Harborview Medical Center, 2015. 32p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 14, 2017 at: http://static1.1.sqspcdn.com/static/f/1185392/26401889/1437170937787/June+2015+LEAD-Program-Evaluation-Criminal-Justice-and-Legal-System-Utilization-and-Associated-Costs.pdf?token=yow6pMZWOpQJRF2rw5LaYUHpcO0%3D Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: http://static1.1.sqspcdn.com/static/f/1185392/26401889/1437170937787/June+2015+LEAD-Program-Evaluation-Criminal-Justice-and-Legal-System-Utilization-and-Associated-Costs.pdf?token=yow6pMZWOpQJRF2rw5LaYUHpcO0%3D Shelf Number: 146088 Keywords: Alternatives to IncarcerationCost-Benefit AnalysisDrug OffendersOffender Diversion ProgramsProstitutesTreatment Program |
Author: Clifasefi, Seema L. Title: LEAD Program Evaluation: Describing LEAD Case Management in Participants' Own Words Summary: This report documents participants' experiences with and perceptions of LEAD case management in their own words. Participants characterized LEAD case management as a positive change from other social services they had experienced. They appreciated its client-centered, advocacy-oriented, harm reduction approach. Participants reported their engagement in the program had helped them meet their basic needs, improve their lives, and rectify their relationships with and perceptions of law enforcement. The client-provider relationship was cited as key to the case management program's success. Details: Seattle: Harm Reduction Research and Treatment Lab University of Washington - Harborview Medical Center, 2016. 20. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 14, 2017 at: http://static1.1.sqspcdn.com/static/f/1185392/27320150/1478294794537/Specific-Aim-4-FINAL_UW-LEAD-Evaluation-Qualitative-Report-11.1.16_updated.pdf?token=HCVfVDzSFEB1CV3SCKVg6NAwH8A%3D Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: http://static1.1.sqspcdn.com/static/f/1185392/27320150/1478294794537/Specific-Aim-4-FINAL_UW-LEAD-Evaluation-Qualitative-Report-11.1.16_updated.pdf?token=HCVfVDzSFEB1CV3SCKVg6NAwH8A%3D Shelf Number: 146089 Keywords: Alternatives to Incarceration Case ManagementDrug Offenders Offender Diversion Programs ProstitutesTreatment Programs |
Author: Collins, Susan E. Title: LEAD Program Evaluation: Recidivism Report Summary: The Recidivism Report tests the relative effectiveness of the LEAD program compared to the 'system‐as‐usual' control condition in reducing criminal recidivism (i.e., arrests and charges). People in LEAD were 60% less likely than people in the control group to be arrested within the first 6 months of the evaluation. Over the entire course of the evaluation to date, people in LEAD were 58% less likely than people in the control group to be arrested. Details: Seattle: Harm Reduction Research and Treatment Lab University of Washington - Harborview Medical Center, 2015. 35p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 14, 2017 at: http://static1.1.sqspcdn.com/static/f/1185392/26121870/1428513375150/LEAD_EVALUATION_4-7-15.pdf?token=IdrIzRIGfjJ3zYJLR7UGarsupRc%3D Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: http://static1.1.sqspcdn.com/static/f/1185392/26121870/1428513375150/LEAD_EVALUATION_4-7-15.pdf?token=IdrIzRIGfjJ3zYJLR7UGarsupRc%3D Shelf Number: 146090 Keywords: Alternatives to Incarceration Diversion Programs Drug Offenders Prostitutes Recidivism |
Author: Clifasefi, Seema L. Title: LEAD Program Evaluation: The Impact of LEAD on Housing, Employment and Income/Benefits Summary: This report describes findings for LEAD participants in terms of their housing, employment, and income/benefits both prior and subsequent to their referral to LEAD. Participants were significantly more likely to obtain housing, employment and legitimate income in any given month subsequent to their LEAD referral (i.e., during the 18-month follow-up) compared to the month prior to their referral (i.e., baseline). Details: Seattle: Harm Reduction Research and Treatment Lab University of Washington - Harborview Medical Center, 2016. 34p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 14, 2017 at: http://static1.1.sqspcdn.com/static/f/1185392/27047605/1464389327667/housing_employment_evaluation_final.PDF?token=wDGLg%2FqS9%2F%2BU7RqNSghgCggBUkA%3D Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: http://static1.1.sqspcdn.com/static/f/1185392/27047605/1464389327667/housing_employment_evaluation_final.PDF?token=wDGLg%2FqS9%2F%2BU7RqNSghgCggBUkA%3D Shelf Number: 146091 Keywords: Alternatives to Incarceration Drug Offenders EmploymentHousingOffender Diversion Programs ProstitutesTreatment Programs |
Author: Menaker, Tatyana A. Title: Characteristics of Commercially Sexually Exploited Girls: A comparison of girls with and without a history of involvement in the sex trade Summary: Despite an increased focus on the commercial sexual exploitation of youth in the United States, few studies have examined the characteristics of prostituted youth as compared to delinquent counterparts with no involvement in the sex trade. Consequently, there is a limited understanding of how social service agencies can most effectively respond to the unique needs of this population. The current study uses interviews with girls under age 18, detained at the Clark County Juvenile Detention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, to examine the extent to which prostituted girls disclose: (a) familial dysfunction (e.g., parental criminality, substance abuse, and interparental violence), (b) childhood physical and sexual abuse, physical and mental health problems, substance use, and running away, and (c) prosocial bonds in the form of adult social support and involvement and commitment to school, community activities, and employment, as compared to girls who have not been involved in the sex trade. Details: Huntsville, TX: Sam Houston State University, 2014. 207p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed June 24, 2017 at: http://gradworks.umi.com/35/81/3581907.html Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: http://gradworks.umi.com/35/81/3581907.html Shelf Number: 146374 Keywords: Child Sexual Exploitation Female Delinquents ProstitutesProstitution Sex Workers |
Author: Yale Law School, Global Health Justice Partnership Title: Diversion from Justice; A Rights-Based Analysis of Local Summary: The past decade has seen a national rise in the promotion and establishment of "diversion" programs as alternatives to traditional criminal justice system pathways and processes. While the landscape of diversionary programming is rapidly evolving and dramatically varied, most programs are united by a rhetorical aim to move individuals who commit lower-level offenses away from incarceration and re-penalization and towards "rehabilitative" services. Most recently, this "divert and rehabilitate" logic has been applied to prostitution-related criminal charges, leading to the proliferation of what we aggregately refer to in this Working Paper as "prostitution diversion programs," or PDPs. While progressive at face value, PDPs lack the evidence base and public accountability mechanisms to support their claims of doing good in the lives of people selling sex. In many cases, PDPs simultaneously position the sellers of sex as "victims," but in fact embed their treatment in the criminal justice systems, thus seamlessly collapsing of all sex work into a sorely misguided trafficking frame while retaining coercive control of people in the sex sector. At the same time, the PDP approach avoids the harder and more important inquiries into why buying and selling sex ought to be criminal at all (absent other crimes), and why and if courts are appropriate bodies for assessing service needs and compelling therapeutic treatments. Diversion from Justice: A Rights-Based Analysis of Local "Prostitution Diversion Programs" and their Impacts on People in the Sex Sector in the United States, by the Global Health Justice Partnership of the Yale Law School and School of Public Health, in cooperation with the Sex Workers Project of the Urban Justice Center-NYC, takes as its starting point a skepticism of criminal justice system involvement in the management and provision of social services, particularly when the communities forced into its gates in this case, those engaged in the sex sector or presumed to be - are deeply marginalized and disempowered by the same state touting its beneficence. Our distrust is also linked to an overarching concern that the criminal law has shown little evidence of positive impact in the lives of sex workers, and that genuine progress in criminal justice reform is not possible without the complete decriminalization of sex work and associated activities. Prostitution diversion programs present numerous challenges, both for sex workers stuck in the web of the criminal justice system and for researchers seeking to understand their implications in a systematic way. This Working Paper represents one of the most thorough attempts to date to make an account of the hyper-local, opaque, and poorly understood national trend toward prostitution diversion through building a provisional taxonomy for categorization as well as a justice-informed framework for evaluation. The report is structured as follows: - The Introduction (Section I) to this Working Paper situates PDPs in their broader political and social contexts, briefly outlining their historical evolution and beginning to trouble the ideological foundations upon which contemporary programs are laid. The Introduction makes clear the need for the present report: while the number of PDPs - and therefore the reach of the criminal justice system - continues to expand, there is an alarming dearth of information on their actual impacts on the health, rights, and dignity of defendant/participants. - Section II of the report assembles a national mapping and taxonomic scheme of PDPs operating at the time of primary research in 2016, systematically categorizing the different practices, frameworks, and structures that comprise municipal PDPs across the U.S. This section sequentially lays out how PDPs operate on a logistical level, from program development and entry, to participation and service requirements, to exit processes. This cataloging of programmatic elements throws into sharp relief the ways in which the term "PDP" masks what is actually an enormous diversity of very local, jurisdiction-driven processes that share little overlap in their operations. The lack of standardization and highly context-specific arrangements make these programs difficult to monitor, and therefore difficult to hold accountable with regards to potential injustices or harms to rights - or even to their own stated goals. - Section III of the report proposes a rubric by which PDPs can be evaluated against their own goals, as well as against basic tenants of social justice that most purport to uphold. Our analytical review of PDPs and criminal legal provision of social services reveals that these programs often fail to uphold the human rights and dignity of defendant/participants given their intrinsically coercive design and implementation; that they do not consistently provide available, accessible, acceptable, and quality health and social services to sex workers, nor do they have the intentions and resources to meet the structural needs of sex workers; that they adjudicate in ad hoc and unreviewable ways that further entrench sex workers in court and criminal justice systems; and that they are not implemented in ways that are transparent, sustainable, and accountable to those most affected. To highlight some of the most egregious examples, we encountered programs that sought to monitor and control personal relationships, both intimate and familial, of defendant/participants; one where defendant/participants were required to perform unpaid labor (sell beer in sports stadiums) in exchange for the social service (in this case, housing); and another in which the PDP-affiliated service organization disguised their fundamentalist and religiously-charged rescue model in rhetoric of "freeing" women, but the materials make clear that freedom is defined by the organization's understanding of the life God wanted for them. - Finally, Section IV of the report offers concluding remarks and a set of recommendations for PDP reform, emphasizing the need for sustained research into localized practices, as well as internal reviews of each program with an eye towards radically minimizing the scope of criminal justice involvement. While the major inconsistencies across PDPs in the U.S. muddies any attempt at evaluating PDPs as a family of interventions, their shared positioning (as structural alternatives) within the criminal justice system triggers alarms regarding court overreach and compromised rights and well-being of sex workers, underscoring the need to shift power towards community-based and - led systems of accessing services. This Working Paper, with its national scoping and analysis, should be read in conjunction with another similarly framed GHJP/SWP report entitled Un-Meetable Promises: Rhetoric and Reality in New York City's Human Trafficking Intervention Courts, on the prostitution "diversion" courts in New York City known as "Human Trafficking Intervention Courts" (HTICs). Many of the analyses and concerns raised in the national survey are echoed and expanded in our analysis of practices in a single city setting. This complementary report can be found on the Yale GHJP website at: https://law.yale.edu/ghjp Details: New Haven, CT: Yale Law School and Yale School of Public Health, 2018. 79p. Source: Internet Resource: Working Paper: Accessed November 27, 2018 at: https://law.yale.edu/system/files/area/center/ghjp/documents/diversion_from_justice_pdp_report_ghjp_2018rev.pdf Year: 2018 Country: United States URL: https://law.yale.edu/system/files/area/center/ghjp/documents/diversion_from_justice_pdp_report_ghjp_2018rev.pdf Shelf Number: 153848 Keywords: Diversion ProgramsProstitutesProstitutionProstitution Diversion ProgramsSex Workers |
Author: Global Network of Sex Work Projects Title: Migrant Sex Workers Summary: This Briefing Paper explores the human rights barriers encountered by migrant sex workers as a result of their type of labour. It highlights their lack of access to services, as well as the increased precariousness and exclusion they face due to legal restrictions on cross-border movement and work in the sex industry. This paper also places migrant sex work in the context of international labour migration, using consultation responses from NSWP member organisations. Details: Edinburgh, Scotland: Global Network of Sex Work Projects, 2018. 16p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 18, 2019 at: https://www.nswp.org/sites/nswp.org/files/briefing_paper_migrant_sex_workers_nswp_-_2017.pdf Year: 2018 Country: International URL: https://www.nswp.org/sites/nswp.org/files/briefing_paper_migrant_sex_workers_nswp_-_2017.pdf Shelf Number: 156519 Keywords: MigrantsProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers |