Trafficking, Client and Police Violence, Sexual Risk and Mental Health Among Women in the Sex Industry at the Thai-Myanmar Border

This study describes sex trafficking and associations with violence and health among female migrants in the sex industry in Mae Sot, Thailand. The mixed-methods study included a qualitative interview phase (n = 10), followed by a cross-sectional survey phase (n = 128). Entry via trafficking (force,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Violence against women 2022-09, Vol.28 (11), p.2677-2699
Main Authors: Decker, Michele R., Meyer, Sarah R., Branchini Risko, Casey, Abshir, Nada, Mar, Aye Aye, Robinson, W. Courtland
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Clients
Coercion
Extortion
Fraud
Health status
Human trafficking
Mental health
Migrants
Nonuse
Police
Police brutality
Prostitution
Risk behavior
Sex crimes
Sex industry
Sexual behavior
Sexual violence
Trafficking
Violence
Women
Working conditions
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Summary:This study describes sex trafficking and associations with violence and health among female migrants in the sex industry in Mae Sot, Thailand. The mixed-methods study included a qualitative interview phase (n = 10), followed by a cross-sectional survey phase (n = 128). Entry via trafficking (force, fraud, or coercion [FFC], or as minors) was prevalent (76.6%), primarily FFC (73.4%). FFC was associated with inconsistent condom use, inability to refuse clients, poor health, and anxiety. Past-year violence was normative including client sexual violence (66.4%), client coercion for condom nonuse (> 95%), and police extortion (56%). Working conditions enabled violence irrespective of mode of entry. Profound unmet needs exist for safety and access to justice irrespective of trafficking history.
ISSN:1077-8012
1552-8448
DOI:10.1177/10778012211060860