A Descriptive Profile of Abused Female Sex Workers in India

Authors

  • Subadra Panchanadeswaran Adelphi University School of Social Work, 1 South Avenue, Garden City, New York
  • Sethulakshmi C Johnson YRG Centre for AIDS Research and Education, Voluntary Health Services Taramani, Chennai
  • Sudh Sivaram Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 615 North Wolfe St., Baltimore
  • AK Srikrishnan YRG Centre for AIDS Research and Education, Voluntary Health Services Taramani, Chennai
  • Carla Zelaya Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 615 North Wolfe St., Baltimore
  • Suniti Solomon YRG Centre for AIDS Research and Education, Voluntary Health Services Taramani, Chennai
  • Vivian F Go Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 615 North Wolfe St., Baltimore
  • David Celentano Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 615 North Wolfe St., Baltimore

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3329/jhpn.v28i3.5546

Keywords:

Descriptive studies, HIV, Spouse abuse, Violence, Violence against women, India

Abstract

This descriptive study presents the profiles of abused female sex workers (FSWs) in Chennai, India. Of 100
abused FSWs surveyed using a structured questionnaire, severe forms of violence by intimate partners were
reported by most (98%) respondents. Of the total sample, 76% experienced violence by clients. Sexual
coercion experiences of the FSWs included verbal threats (77%) and physical force (87%) by intimate partners
and forced unwanted sexual acts (73%) by clients. While 39% of the women consumed alcohol before
meeting a client, 26% reported that their drunkenness was a trigger for violence by clients. The findings
suggest that there is an urgent need to integrate services, along with public-health interventions among
FSWs to protect them from violence. Recognition of multiple identities of women in the contexts of intimate
relationships versus sex work is vital in helping women to stay safe from adverse effects on health.

Key words: Descriptive studies; HIV; Spouse abuse; Violence; Violence against women; India

DOI: 10.3329/jhpn.v28i3.5546

J HEALTH POPUL NUTR 2010 Jun;28(3):211-220

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How to Cite

Panchanadeswaran, S., Johnson, S. C., Sivaram, S., Srikrishnan, A., Zelaya, C., Solomon, S., Go, V. F., & Celentano, D. (2010). A Descriptive Profile of Abused Female Sex Workers in India. Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition, 28(3), 211–220. https://doi.org/10.3329/jhpn.v28i3.5546

Issue

Vol. 28 No. 3 (2010)

Section

Original Papers