1
|
Nestadt DF, Schneider KE, Tomko C, Sherman SG. Criminalization and coercion: sexual encounters with police among a longitudinal cohort of women who exchange sex in Baltimore, Maryland. Harm Reduct J 2023; 20:11. [PMID: 36707897 PMCID: PMC9881257 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-023-00738-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The criminalization of sex work and drug use creates unequal power dynamics easily exploited by police. Women who exchange sex (WES) in settings around the globe have reported coerced sex and sexual assault by police, and some have reported police as paying clients. Little research has examined nuances underlying WES's sexual interactions with police. METHODS A cohort of cisgender WES (N = 308) was recruited through targeted sampling in Baltimore, Maryland and completed a structured survey every 6 months for 18 months. Follow-up surveys included detailed questions about recent sexual encounters with police. In bivariate and multivariate models using generalized estimating equations to account for intra-person correlation, we examined correlates of reporting recent sex with police over time. RESULTS One-third reported recent sex with police at any study visit. At each time point, about 90% of women who reported sex with police reported any uniformed or non-uniformed police had paid for sex. Between 72 and 85% had been solicited for paid sex by uniformed police. Between 41 and 50% of women who reported recent sex with police indicated they had done so because they feared arrest otherwise; one-third were directly pressured for sex by police to avoid arrest or trouble. In the final adjusted model, severe food insecurity [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.05; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.13-3.71], Black race (vs. white, non-Hispanic; aOR = 1.90; 95% CI 1.13-3.17), recent arrest (aOR = 1.51; 95% CI 1.01-2.27), nonfatal overdose (aOR = 1.94; 95% CI 1.24-3.01), and client- or non-paying intimate partner-perpetrated violence (aOR = 2.46; 95% CI 1.63-3.71) were significantly independently associated with recent sex with police. CONCLUSIONS Sexual encounters between WES and police in Baltimore are common and often coerced to avoid arrest in a setting where both drug use and sex work are criminalized. Recent sex with police was more prevalent among WES who were racially marginalized, highly structurally vulnerable, and/or at high risk for drug overdose-and therefore subject to the dual-criminalization of sex work and drug use. This indicates deep power imbalances and their exploitation by police as the root of such sexual encounters and adds to the evidence regarding the need for decriminalization to support the health and wellbeing of WES.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Friedman Nestadt
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Kristin E. Schneider
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Catherine Tomko
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Susan G. Sherman
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
de Lima AMP, Magno L, Luppi CG, Szwarcwald CL, Grangeiro A, Santana EP, Dourado I. Sexual Violence and Low Rates of HIV Post-exposure Prophylaxis Access Among Female Sex Workers in Brazil. AIDS Behav 2022; 26:4082-4092. [PMID: 35687186 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-022-03734-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Female sex workers (FSW) are disproportionately affected by sexual violence (SV) and HIV. Social and structural barriers limit their access to post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Respondent-driven sampling survey in 12 Brazilian cities among 4188 FSW aimed to estimate the rates of SV and factors associated with access to PEP use among FSW who experienced SV. The prevalence of SV was 26.3% (1199). Of the 1199, 7.5% sought out healthcare and used PEP, 19% sought out healthcare, but did not use PEP, and 73.5% did not seek out healthcare after SV. Factors associated with PEP use included PEP awareness, participation in HIV/STI prevention workshops, and disclosure of FSW status in healthcare services. Although Brazil has a PEP program free of charge, it is not readily accessible, even for FSW who seek out healthcare. The development of effective strategies to link FSW to HIV preventive services is urgently needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Acácia Mayra Pereira de Lima
- Institute of Collective Health, Federal University of Bahia, Av. Basílio da Gama, s/n, Canela Campus do Canela, Salvador, Bahia, CEP: 40110-040, Brazil.
| | - Laio Magno
- Institute of Collective Health, Federal University of Bahia, Av. Basílio da Gama, s/n, Canela Campus do Canela, Salvador, Bahia, CEP: 40110-040, Brazil.,Department of Life Sciences, State University of Bahia, Campus 1, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Carla Gianna Luppi
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Célia Landmann Szwarcwald
- Institute of Scientific Communication and Information in Public Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Grangeiro
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Elis Passos Santana
- Institute of Collective Health, Federal University of Bahia, Av. Basílio da Gama, s/n, Canela Campus do Canela, Salvador, Bahia, CEP: 40110-040, Brazil
| | - Inês Dourado
- Institute of Collective Health, Federal University of Bahia, Av. Basílio da Gama, s/n, Canela Campus do Canela, Salvador, Bahia, CEP: 40110-040, Brazil
| | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Lyons CE, Schwartz SR, Murray SM, Shannon K, Diouf D, Mothopeng T, Kouanda S, Simplice A, Kouame A, Mnisi Z, Tamoufe U, Phaswana-Mafuya N, Cham B, Drame FM, Aliu Djaló M, Baral S. The role of sex work laws and stigmas in increasing HIV risks among sex workers. Nat Commun 2020; 11:773. [PMID: 32071298 PMCID: PMC7028952 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-14593-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 01/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Globally HIV incidence is slowing, however HIV epidemics among sex workers are stable or increasing in many settings. While laws governing sex work are considered structural determinants of HIV, individual-level data assessing this relationship are limited. In this study, individual-level data are used to assess the relationships of sex work laws and stigmas in increasing HIV risk among female sex workers, and examine the mechanisms by which stigma affects HIV across diverse legal contexts in countries across sub-Saharan Africa. Interviewer-administered socio-behavioral questionnaires and biological testing were conducted with 7259 female sex workers between 2011-2018 across 10 sub-Saharan African countries. These data suggest that increasingly punitive and non-protective laws are associated with prevalent HIV infection and that stigmas and sex work laws may synergistically increase HIV risks. Taken together, these data highlight the fundamental role of evidence-based and human-rights affirming policies towards sex work as part of an effective HIV response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carrie E Lyons
- Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
| | - Sheree R Schwartz
- Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Sarah M Murray
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Hampton House 624 N. Broadway 8th Floor, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Kate Shannon
- Centre for Gender & Sexual Health Equity, University of British Columbia, 1081 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Daouda Diouf
- Enda Santé, Senegal, 56 Cité Comico VDN, B.P, 3370, Dakar, Senegal
| | | | - Seni Kouanda
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, Institut Africain de Santé Publique, 12 BP 199, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | | | - Abo Kouame
- Ministère de la Sante et de l'Hygiène Publique, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Zandile Mnisi
- Health Research Department, Strategic Information Division, Ministry of Health, Cooper Centre Office 106, Mbabane, Eswatini
| | - Ubald Tamoufe
- Metabiota. Avenue Mvog-Fouda Ada, Av 1.085, Carrefour Intendance BP, 15939, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Nancy Phaswana-Mafuya
- DVC Research and Innovation Office, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, Private Bag X6001 Potchefstroom, 2520, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Bai Cham
- Actionaid, Banjul The Gambia, MDI Road, Kanifing South PMB 450, Serrekunda PO Box 725, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Fatou M Drame
- Enda Santé, Senegal, 56 Cité Comico VDN, B.P, 3370, Dakar, Senegal
- Gaston Berger University, Department of Geography, School of Social Sciences. BP: 234 - Saint-Louis, Nationale 2, route de Ngallèle, St. Louis, Senegal
| | - Mamadú Aliu Djaló
- Enda Santé, Guiné-Bissau. Bairro Santa Luzia, Rua s/n, CP 1041, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
| | - Stefan Baral
- Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Rosen JG, Park JN, Opper N, Lim S, Sherman SG. Patterns and Correlates of New Drug Initiation among Female Exotic Dancers: The Contribution of Occupational and Structural Risks. Subst Use Misuse 2020; 55:1122-1128. [PMID: 32107953 PMCID: PMC7180119 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2020.1729199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Exotic dance clubs (EDCs) can play pivotal roles in the production of drug-related risks for female exotic dancers (FED). We aimed to characterize the structural and occupational factors associated with new drug initiation post-EDC entry among new FED (N = 117) in Baltimore, Maryland. Materials and Methods: Logistic regression models tested the associations of new drug uptake, measured as initiating any illicit drug (including non-prescribed and diverted prescription narcotics) not used prior to EDC employment, with structural (e.g. debt sources, housing instability) and occupational (e.g. sex work, dancing as sole income source) vulnerabilities. Results: Most FED were younger than 24 years-old (60%), identified as Black/African American (61%), and did not complete high school (56%). Twenty-nine (25%) reported using any new drug post-EDC entry, with cocaine (34%) cited most frequently among newly initiated substances. In multivariable analysis, drug initiation was significantly associated with cumulative debt sources (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 1.82, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.19-2.77), dancing as only income source (AOR = 4.21, CI: 1.29-13.71), and sex work (AOR = 9.26, CI: 2.74-31.32). Conclusions: Our findings implicate co-occurring structural and occupational factors in FED's initiation of illicit drugs proceeding EDC employment. Results demonstrate the coping role of drug use for FED in stressful working environments and the multiple vulnerabilities associated with illicit drug uptake. The study reinforces a need for harm reduction interventions (i.e. debt relief, employment connections, increased hourly pay) that consider the contribution of overlapping financial insecurities to the production of occupational risks motivating drug uptake.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph G Rosen
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ju Nyeong Park
- Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Neisha Opper
- Department of Population, Family, and Reproductive Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Sahnah Lim
- Department of Population, Family, and Reproductive Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Susan G Sherman
- Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Associations between sex work laws and sex workers' health: A systematic review and meta-analysis of quantitative and qualitative studies. PLoS Med 2018; 15:e1002680. [PMID: 30532209 PMCID: PMC6289426 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1002680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 174] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sex workers are at disproportionate risk of violence and sexual and emotional ill health, harms that have been linked to the criminalisation of sex work. We synthesised evidence on the extent to which sex work laws and policing practices affect sex workers' safety, health, and access to services, and the pathways through which these effects occur. METHODS AND FINDINGS We searched bibliographic databases between 1 January 1990 and 9 May 2018 for qualitative and quantitative research involving sex workers of all genders and terms relating to legislation, police, and health. We operationalised categories of lawful and unlawful police repression of sex workers or their clients, including criminal and administrative penalties. We included quantitative studies that measured associations between policing and outcomes of violence, health, and access to services, and qualitative studies that explored related pathways. We conducted a meta-analysis to estimate the average effect of experiencing sexual/physical violence, HIV or sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and condomless sex, among individuals exposed to repressive policing compared to those unexposed. Qualitative studies were synthesised iteratively, inductively, and thematically. We reviewed 40 quantitative and 94 qualitative studies. Repressive policing of sex workers was associated with increased risk of sexual/physical violence from clients or other parties (odds ratio [OR] 2.99, 95% CI 1.96-4.57), HIV/STI (OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.60-2.19), and condomless sex (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.03-1.94). The qualitative synthesis identified diverse forms of police violence and abuses of power, including arbitrary arrest, bribery and extortion, physical and sexual violence, failure to provide access to justice, and forced HIV testing. It showed that in contexts of criminalisation, the threat and enactment of police harassment and arrest of sex workers or their clients displaced sex workers into isolated work locations, disrupting peer support networks and service access, and limiting risk reduction opportunities. It discouraged sex workers from carrying condoms and exacerbated existing inequalities experienced by transgender, migrant, and drug-using sex workers. Evidence from decriminalised settings suggests that sex workers in these settings have greater negotiating power with clients and better access to justice. Quantitative findings were limited by high heterogeneity in the meta-analysis for some outcomes and insufficient data to conduct meta-analyses for others, as well as variable sample size and study quality. Few studies reported whether arrest was related to sex work or another offence, limiting our ability to assess the associations between sex work criminalisation and outcomes relative to other penalties or abuses of police power, and all studies were observational, prohibiting any causal inference. Few studies included trans- and cisgender male sex workers, and little evidence related to emotional health and access to healthcare beyond HIV/STI testing. CONCLUSIONS Together, the qualitative and quantitative evidence demonstrate the extensive harms associated with criminalisation of sex work, including laws and enforcement targeting the sale and purchase of sex, and activities relating to sex work organisation. There is an urgent need to reform sex-work-related laws and institutional practices so as to reduce harms and barriers to the realisation of health.
Collapse
|