scholarly journals Effect of police enforcement and extreme social inequalities on violence and mental health among women who sell sex: findings from a cohort study in London, UK

2021 ◽  
pp. sextrans-2021-055088
Author(s):  
Jocelyn Elmes ◽  
Rachel Stuart ◽  
Pippa Grenfell ◽  
Josephine Walker ◽  
Kathleen Hill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Sex Workers ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Social Inequalities ◽  
Structural Factors ◽  
Financial Difficulties ◽  
Client Violence ◽  
Police Enforcement ◽  
Anxiety Depression

ObjectivesTo examine legal and social determinants of violence, anxiety/depression among sex workers.MethodsA participatory prospective cohort study among women (inclusive of transgender) ≥18 years, selling sex in the last 3 months in London between 2018 and 2019. We used logistic generalised estimating equation models to measure associations between structural factors on recent (6 months) violence from clients or others (local residents, strangers), depression/anxiety (Patient Health Questionnaire-4).Results197 sex workers were recruited (96% cisgender-women; 46% street-based; 54% off-street) and 60% completed a follow-up questionnaire. Street-based sex workers experienced greater inequalities compared with off-street in relation to recent violence from clients (73% vs 36%); police (42% vs 7%); intimate partner violence (IPV) (56% vs 18%) and others (67% vs 17%), as well as homelessness (65% vs 7%) and recent law enforcement (87% vs 9%). Prevalence of any STI was 17.5% (17/97). For street-based sex workers, recent arrest was associated with violence from others (adjusted OR (aOR) 2.77; 95% CI 1.11 to 6.94) and displacement by police was associated with client violence (aOR 4.35; 95% CI 1.36 to 13.90). Financial difficulties were also associated with client violence (aOR 4.66; 95% CI 1.64 to 13.24). Disability (aOR 3.85; 95% CI 1.49 to 9.95) and client violence (aOR 2.55; 95% CI 1.10 to 5.91) were associated with anxiety/depression. For off-street sex workers, financial difficulties (aOR 3.66; 95% CI 1.64 to 8.18), unstable residency (aOR 3.19; 95% CI 1.36 to 7.49), IPV (aOR 3.77; 95% CI 1.30 to 11.00) and alcohol/drug use were associated with client violence (aOR 3.16; 95% CI 1.26 to 7.92), while always screening and refusing clients was protective (aOR 0.36; 95% CI 0.15 to 0.87). Disability (aOR 5.83; 95% CI 2.34 to 14.51), unmet mental health needs (aOR 3.08; 95% CI 1.15 to 8.23) and past eviction (aOR 3.99; 95% CI 1.23 to 12.92) were associated with anxiety/depression.ConclusionsViolence, anxiety/depression are linked to poverty, unstable housing and police enforcement. We need to modify laws to allow sex workers to work safely and increase availability of housing and mental health services.

scholarly journals Intimate partner violence is as important as client violence in increasing street-based female sex workers’ vulnerability to HIV in India

2008 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 106-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Subadra Panchanadeswaran ◽  
Sethulakshmi C. Johnson ◽  
Sudha Sivaram ◽  
A.K. Srikrishnan ◽  
Carl Latkin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Sex Workers ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Female Sex Workers ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Female Sex ◽  
Client Violence

scholarly journals Sexual Coercion and Mental Health Symptoms Among Heterosexual Men: The Pressure to Say “Yes”

2009 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 98-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moisés Próspero ◽  
Peter Fawson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Sexual Coercion ◽  
Somatic Symptoms ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Male Victims ◽  
Mental Health Symptoms ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
Anxiety Depression ◽  
Male University Students

The present study investigated the prevalence of female-to-male intimate partner violence (IPV) and mental health symptoms among 370 male university students. Participants completed surveys that measured three types of IPV victimization (sexual, physical, and psychological) and four types of mental health symptoms (anxiety, depression, hostility, and somatic symptoms). Correlations revealed strong positive associations between sexual, physical, and psychological IPV among male victims. Multiple regressions identified that males who reported psychological and sexual IPV from their female partner were more likely to report higher hostility, anxiety, and somatic symptoms. Further analyses identified that male victims experienced much higher levels of “insisted” sexual coercion rather than “forced” sexual coercion. Mental health practitioners should be aware of the possible mental health symptoms among male IPV victims, specifically from sexual coercion. The study posits that gender socialization does not allow men to refuse sex from an intimate partner and therefore elicit mental health symptoms.

scholarly journals Physical and mental health of women exposed to intimate partner violence in the 10 years after having their first child: an Australian prospective cohort study of first-time mothers

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. e040891
Author(s):  
Stephanie J Brown ◽  
Laura J Conway ◽  
Kelly M FitzPatrick ◽  
Kelsey Hegarty ◽  
Fiona K Mensah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Functional Health ◽  
Functional Health Status ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
First Child ◽  
First Time

ObjectiveTo investigate mental and physical health of mothers exposed to recent and early postpartum intimate partner violence (IPV) in the 10 years after having their first child.DesignProspective pregnancy cohort study.SettingWomen were recruited at six metropolitan public maternity hospitals in Melbourne, Australia and followed up at 1, 4 and 10 years post partum.Study measuresExposure to physical and/or emotional IPV was measured using the Composite Abuse Scale at 1, 4 and 10 years. At 10-year follow-up, mothers reported on physical and mental health, and functional health status.Participants1507 first-time mothers enrolled at mean of 15 weeks’ gestation.ResultsOne in three women experienced IPV during the 10 years after having their first child. Women experiencing recent IPV (19.1%) reported worse physical and mental health than women not reporting IPV. Compared with women not reporting IPV, women experiencing recent IPV had higher odds of poor functional health status (Adj OR=4.5, 95% CI 3.2 to 6.3), back pain (Adj OR=2.0, 95% CI 1.4 to 2.9), incontinence (Adj OR=1.8, 95% CI 1.2 to 2.6), depressive symptoms (Adj OR=4.9, 95% CI 3.2 to 7.5), anxiety (Adj OR=5.1, 95% CI 3.0 to 8.6) and post-traumatic stress symptoms (Adj OR=7.2, 95% CI 4.6 to 11.1) at 10 years. Women with past IPV at 1 and/or 4 years (15.7% of the cohort) also had higher odds of physical and mental health problems. There was evidence of a gradient in health outcomes by recency of exposure to IPV.ConclusionsBoth recent and past exposure to IPV are associated with poor maternal physical and mental health 10 years after a first birth. Health services and advocacy organisations providing support to women need to be aware of the consistent relationship between IPV and a range of physical and mental health conditions, which may persist even after IPV appears to have ceased.

scholarly journals A Sisterhood of Hope: How China’s Transgender Sex Workers Cope with Intimate Partner Violence

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (21) ◽  
pp. 7959
Author(s):  
Eileen Yuk-ha Tsang
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Sex Workers ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Bisexual Men ◽  
Informal Networks ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Counselling Services

Transgender sex workers (TSWs/TSW) face considerable challenges that affect their mental health and make their situations more vulnerable and precarious. TSWs often experience violence from clients, police, and others, but it is estimated that 50% of these acts of violence are at the hands of their intimate partners. The marginalization of TSWs is fueled by abuse through isolation and shaming which prevents them from seeking help through formal channels like police or counselling services. There is limited research on intimate partner violence (IPV) involving transgender sex workers (biologically male at birth who transition to women) and their partners who are typically heterosexual/bisexual men. In China, stigmatization, homophobia, heterosexism, and transphobia structurally disadvantage TSWs and this power structure tacitly supports violence and abuse against them. To survive, TSWs rely on informal networks with their ‘sisters’ for advice and emotional support which is more effective at combatting IPV than criminal justice or social policy efforts. Ethnographic data from in-depth interviews with 25 TSWs provide insight about IPV and how informal social support is a protective factor that helps them cope with routine acts of violence. The findings identify the importance of the ‘sisterhood’ and how it protects and helps TSWs manage their physical and mental health.

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