Commercial Sex Activity Research Articles

Experience of Violence and Health Issues among Female Sex Workers in Kathmandu

Any sex work involving the exchange of money or goods/gifts (i.e. commercial sexual activity) and prostitution in all forms and names are illegal in Nepal. Many issues and violence have been documented as a result of sexual labor in such areas, mainly against female sexual workers (FSWs). This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of violence and the related health issues among FSWs in Kathmandu. A descriptive phenomenological research design was followed where the participants provided their informational experience about violence. The nature of the information was qualitative and subjective, and based on the interpretivism paradigm. The study reveals that verbal aggressions, physical violence, sexual harassment, assault, and other forms of violence are the primary experiences faced by FSWs, along with health issues like STIs, Hepatitis, vaginal infections, backaches, stress, depression, and chronic fatigue. Lived experiences illustrate the opportunities and skills for earning a living via work that could be planned and executed at the federal, provincial, and local levels of government. Similarly, if someone wants to alter their employment or sex trade, rehabilitation is required. It is critical to put in place certain focused measures and policies to safeguard the safety, self-esteem, and financial stability of FSWs.

Epidemic characteristics of local HIV-2 transmission across Hunan province, China

ObjectiveTo elucidate the epidemiological features of HIV-2 in Hunan Province, China, utilizing sequence analysis. MethodsThirteen individuals diagnosed with HIV-2 infection in Hunan Province, China, from 2017 to 2023 were included in this study. Amplification of HIV-2 env and pol regions was conducted, followed by Sanger sequencing. Phylogenetic and molecular transmission network analyses were performed to delineate molecular features and transmission dynamics. ResultsAll 14 individuals contracted HIV-2 through heterosexual intercourse, comprising 7 males and 7 females, with a median age of 58 years. Among them, three couples (HN001 and HN013, HN010 and HN011, HN008 and HN009) were identified, along with commercial sexual activity engagement reported for subject HN004. Notably, subjects HN001, HN003, HN008, and HN010 engaged in commercial sexual activities at the same location as subject HN004. Phylogenetic analysis of the pol gene revealed close proximity of sequences from all subjects to reference sequences from Gambia (Sub-type A). Employing a genetic distance threshold of 1.5 %, eight out of the 14 subjects formed a molecular transmission network, with HN002 and HN004 identified as central nodes. ConclusionFrom 2017 to 2023, all HIV-2-infected individuals in Hunan Province, China, acquired the virus through identifiable routes, indicating transmission of similar HIV-2 strains among them.

Factors associated with voluntary HIV counseling and testing among young students engaging in casual sexual activity: a cross-sectional study from Eastern China

Factors associated with voluntary HIV counseling and testing among young students engaging in casual sexual activity: a cross-sectional study from Eastern China

Factors associated with casual sexual behavior among college students in Zhejiang Province, China: A cross-sectional survey.

This study aimed to analyze the characteristics and risk factors associated with casual sexual behavior among sexually active college students and to contribute to AIDS prevention and control efforts among this demographic. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a stratified cluster sampling technique. Self-reported sexually active college students were selected as respondents from 11 cities in Zhejiang Province from October 8 to November 30, 2018. A questionnaire was used to collect variables such as demographic information, sexual attitudes, intervention acceptance, and self-efficacy of condom use. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Among 3,771 college students who reported engaging in sexual activity, 675 (17.90%) reported engaging in casual sexual encounters. The multivariate analysis revealed multiple factors associated with casual sexual behavior among students: being male, originating from a city/town, having pursued HIV testing education in the last year, seeking HIV risk self-assessment within the last year, accepting to engage in one-night stand behavior, accepting to partake in commercial sexual activity, having conducted HIV antibody tests within the last year, homosexual partner or homosexual/heterosexual partner, demonstrating self-efficacy in condom usage, and monthly living expenses falling within the range of 1001-1500 yuan. Additionally, students with knowledge that appearance does not determine HIV infection, a proclivity for seeking HIV counseling and testing following high-risk sexual behavior and awareness that the centers for disease control provides HIV diagnosis were found to have significant associations with casual sexual activity. Casual sex is significantly prevalent among college students, with male, students from urban areas, those who accepted to engage in one-night stand behavior and partook in commercial sexual activity demonstrating a higher propensity for such behavior. This tendency can be attributed to several factors including a more liberal sexual attitude, a rudimentary understanding of HIV risk, and a low adoption rate of HIV testing. Therefore, it is imperative to enhance HIV prevention and education among college students.

Cervical cancer screening in former sex workers in ex-localization area.

Despite the lack of commercial sex activities as the localization has been shut down since 2014, former commercial sex workers (CSW) could be at risk for cervical cancer. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of cervical cancer using early detection with Papanicolaou (Pap) smears in former CSW in this ex-localization area. This study was conducted with purposive sampling intended to be limited to former CSW and women who still live around this ex-localization area as a control group. This study included 76 women, 52.6% of whom were former CSW. Pap smear results showed no pre-cancerous lesions of the cervix in any of the participants. Comparisons between the CSW and control groups showed no differences in Pap smear results. Infection findings were found in 36.1% of CSW group. Early detection of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA is necessary for identifying risk factors for cervical cancer in these populations.

Hot Spots of Commercial Sex Activities in New York City Neighborhoods: Lessons Learned

Understanding the spatial distribution of commercial sex activities (CSA) in urban environments is important in addressing the harms against sex workers and identifying sex trafficking operations. Guided by crime pattern theory, using Census data and New York Police Department (NYPD) prostitution-related arrests data ( N = 29,075) from 2010 to 2019, this study examines the “hot spots” of CSA in New York City. Local Spatial Autocorrelation Analysis (LISA) identified distinctive spatial clusters of CSA, whereas logistic regression explained their significant congregation in immigrant and racial-ethnic enclaves. The heterogeneity of clusters by boroughs portrays the convergence of activity space of sex workers, patrons, and sex business opportunities reflecting the high-demand locations of CSA and human trafficking in NYC.

A Novel Method to Examine Public Communications and Policy Representations: A Case Example of Hawai'i's Perspective on Juveniles Involved in Commercial Sexual Activity.

Public policy may be strongly influenced by the language used in the media to discuss issues. This language can create a policy image or policy representation that frames the issue as being either deserving or undeserving of policy aid. This policy representation, in turn, may influence the direction of public policies proposed to address the issue. This article presents the development of a codebook for systematically examining the language used in the media to create these policy representations. Framing theory and a qualitative content analysis approach were used to develop the codebook, using a 4-part taxonomy: problem definition, causal interpretation, moral evaluation, and policy recommendation. The issue of juveniles involved in commercial sexual activity in Hawai'i was used as a case study to guide creation of the codebook. Pilot study data were drawn from Hawai'i's local newspapers and from testimony submitted to the Hawai'i State Legislature during 1985-2016. A set of coding schemes built on the 4-part taxonomy was based on the dichotomous attitude of juvenile criminality and juvenile exploitation. Pilot data indicated that juveniles are increasingly being represented as victims of sexual exploitation (newspaper, 45%; testimony, 90%), and the presence of thematic elements in the media strongly correlated with this overall shift. A key lesson learned was the ability of the codebook to capture episodic and thematic elements, which may have strong implications for those concerned with populations that are exploited, politically marginalized, and in need of policy aid. Another key lesson learned was the strength of the codebook to collect quantitative and qualitative data that may lie outside carefully constructed dichotomous frames (eg, a policy representation of juveniles as survivors) and the media's prevailing narratives (eg, the experience of sexual minority juveniles).

Can We Put an End to Commercial Sex?

Sex workers contend that the emergence of the sex business may be traced back to the pursuit of commercial profits. Several economic issues, including economic inequality, according to sex workers, are at the basis of commercial sexual activity. The sex industry and demand are irreplaceable, which indicates that commercial sex will remain in existence indefinitely.

The short-term effects of COVID-19 on HIV and AIDS control efforts among female sex workers in Indonesia

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has raised concerns as to its impact on other health programs. One program that appears particularly vulnerable is HIV and AIDS. We undertook an assessment of COVID-19 impact on HIV control efforts in Indonesia for a sub-population that has received little attention in the global literature—female sex workers (FSW).MethodsThe study was undertaken in 23 National AIDS program priority districts. Four sources of monthly data during January–July 2020 were considered. COVID-19 infection data were extracted from national and district surveillance systems. Combination prevention program outputs were reported by civil society organizations (CSOs) providing community support services to FSW. These organizations also undertook monthly scans of levels of commercial sex activity and HIV testing availability. We also considered data from an ongoing HIV community screening trial. The primary mode of analysis entailed comparisons of levels and trends of indicators from the four data series.ResultsCommercial sex activity was severely curtailed in April–May in many districts. While recovering to pre-COVID-19 levels in “Localization” areas, the number of active FSW in July was one-third below that in February. HIV testing service availability declined by 50% at health facilities before recovering slowly, while mobile clinic services largely ceased during April–June. Numbers of FSW reached, condoms distributed, FSW tested for HIV, HIV cases detected, and FSW starting treatment all declined precipitously in April/May but had largely recovered to pre-COVID-19 levels by July. We found only a temporary dip in treatment initiation rates among HIV positive FSW and no discernible impact on treatment retention. The HIV community screening trial data revealed significant demand for HIV testing among FSW that was not being met even before the onset of COVID-19.ConclusionsCOVID-19 has had at least short-run economic effects on FSW and the national response to HIV and AIDS targeting FSW. However, the effects appear to have been cushioned by community-based services and support in study districts. The findings make a compelling case for the expansion of community-based services irrespective of the future trajectory of COVID-19. As COVID-19 has not yet been contained, the trajectory of economic activity and service delivery is uncertain.

Shifting the Narrative and Ending the Silence: Juvenile Prostitutes or Juvenile Victims?

BackgroundPublic perceptions of juveniles involved in commercial sexual activity are heavily shaped by media and communication frames, and these perceptions influence the direction of public policy priorities.ObjectiveA systematic critical analysis of trends in the literature was conducted to evaluate the framing of this population as either deserving of policy aid or undeserving of policy aid.MethodsThe language of professionals in medical, legal, and social science peer-reviewed journals was assessed, encompassing the years 1985–2015.FindingsFindings suggest that the framing of these juveniles is slowly shifting away from a perspective of juvenile culpability and toward a perspective of juvenile exploitation.ConclusionsCurrent research efforts are imperative and should be focused on the reconceptualization of these juveniles as victims of abuse and exploitation.

Age- and Race-Related Differences in Advertised Health Behaviors Among Male Sex Workers in San Francisco Who Have Sex With Men.

Given the stigma surrounding sex work and the illegal nature of many aspects of commercial sex activity, empirical research is lacking regarding the health-related behaviors of sex workers, particularly male sex workers who have sex with men (MSM sex workers). To better understand the MSM sex worker community and their potential health needs, we analyzed certain sexual health-related behaviors as advertised online by MSM sex workers in the San Francisco area. Using descriptive and bivariate statistical tests, we examined whether age- and race-related differences existed among these sex workers in the following publicly advertised behaviors: use of pre-exposure prophylaxis and a willingness to engage in illicit drug use or condomless anal intercourse. Although we found no significant differences by race in terms of advertised pre-exposure prophylaxis use or willingness to engage in condomless sex, our results show statistically significant differences by race with respect to willingness to use drugs. This difference could be driven by the younger average age of the non-White sex workers in our sample. These findings help inform our understanding of MSM sex work and its associated risks.

Can Legislation Alone Protect Devadasi Girls from Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation?

ABSTRACT Girls in India continue to be sexually abused/exploited under the veil of traditional practices such as Devadasi dedication despite the existence of legislation meant to protect them from child sexual abuse. This study recounts the experiences of 30 Devadasi girls who were dedicated, initiated into sexual activity, and involved in commercial sexual activity as children. It underscores the need to address this practice as a criminal offense to be prosecuted under the legislation. Efforts must be made to explicitly connect Devadasi dedication and child sexual abuse in the minds of the public, law enforcement agencies and government officials.

Sex Workers’ Rights in Aotearoa New Zealand


 The New Zealand Prostitutes’ Collective (NZPC) is an organisation founded on the rights, welfare, health, and safety of sex workers in Aotearoa New Zealand and globally. The collective is committed to ensuring the agency of sex workers in all aspects of life. After years of lobbying by the NZPC to overturn an archaic law founded on double standards, whereby sex workers and third parties were prosecuted for acts such as soliciting and brothel keeping, the Prostitution Reform Act 2003 saw the decriminalisation of commercial sex activities and allowed for third parties to operate brothels. Aotearoa New Zealand remains the only country to decriminalise most commercial sex work and endorse the rights of sex workers. Dame Catherine Healy has been with the NZPC since its inception in 1987. As the national coordinator she is a vocal lead activist and advocate for sex workers’ rights. She also publishes extensively on sex workers’ rights. In 2018, Catherine was presented with a Dame Campion to the New Zealand Order of Merit in acknowledgment for working for the rights of sex workers. Dr Denise Blake is an academic and the chair of the NZPC Board. Denise has been involved in the sex industry in a variety of roles for a number of years, and also advocates strongly for the rights of sex workers. In this interview, Catherine talks to Denise and Amanda Thomas about her work and the history of the NZPC.

PENINDAKAN HUKUM TERHADAP PELANGGAN DAN PEKERJA SEKS KOMERSIAL

Prostitution is a fundamental structural problem that occurs in society because it is still understood as a moral problem. Provisions related to prostitution are regulated in the Criminal Code (KUHP), namely Article 296 and Article 506. It can be seen that criminal law only categorizes prostitution as a criminal act against its intermediaries (Pimp or Pimp). Whereas in cracking down on Customers and Commercial Sex Workers not in the Criminal Code specifically regulate it, a legal vacuum occurs. In this paper using a normative research method with the problem approach is the statutory approach. The problem raised in this paper is how the categories of perpetrators in commercial sex activities and how legal action in dealing with customers and commercial sex workers. Based on this, it can be concluded that the regulations governing law enforcement against customers and commercial sex workers are regulated based on the respective regional regulations in each region.

Do you know how to Cheong? Neutralization techniques adopted by new clients of sex workers

Summary Sex work in Malaysia is seen as a deviant activity that is socially frowned upon. Malaysian laws aiming at curbing sex work has not been effective in eliminating sex work in Malaysia, instead it has pushed sex work underground where it thrives. New Internet technologies have been adopted by clients of sex workers to access hidden commercial sex venues that authorities have tried to suppress and keep away from the view of the public. This study examines the discourses of male clients of female sex workers and the application of Sykes and Matza (1957) techniques of neutralization used by male clients to normalize their ‘deviant’ activities. Part of this study examines the discourses of members from two Internet forums, where members assist other members in uncovering the hidden areas of sex work through their discussions and sharing of commercial sex experiences online. This study suggests that these discourses aim at inculcating a sense of normalcy to their ‘deviant’ activity as suggested by Sykes and Matza. This qualitative study of 35 Malaysian men obtained through snowball sampling from 2015 till 2018 explores their usage of online information in assisting with the purchase of female sex workers; examination of these men's offline discourses and behaviours when purchasing sex workers was conducted through face to face intensive interviews and participation observation. Participants use techniques of neutralization to overcome fear and societal distain when participating in commercial sex activities.

Rising HIV seroconversion rates & associated risks among employees of organization 'X': A case control study, Pakistan, 2017.

Background and Objectives:In 2004 Pakistan escalated from ‘low-prevalence’ to ‘concentrated’ phase of HIV epidemic. Despite global decline in HIV incidence since 1997, rate of HIV infections in Pakistan is persistently rising since 1990. Available literature focusses on key populations or localized outbreaks limited by short study duration and regional applicability of results. We studied HIV seroconversion trends over a period of 8 years in a geographically diverse population and evaluated associated risk factors.Methods:A desk review of HIV surveillance data from 2010 to 2017 was carried out at Armed Forces Institute of Pathology. A case was defined as any adult employed in organization ‘X’, initially screened for HIV but later seroconverted on ELISA and western blot. Case-control study was conducted on cases diagnosed in 2017. Age and sex matched controls were identified from same population sub-group. Structured telephonic interviews were conducted and statistical analysis done at 5% margin of error.Results:The annual HIV diagnosis rate remained relatively stable till 2015 (< 40 /100,000/yr) after which it rose sharply to 60/100,000/yr in 2016 .Upward trend continued in 2017 to reach 125/100,000/yr (>200% increase from baseline). Acquisition of HIV was significantly associated with commercial sex activities (OR=9; 95% CI: 1.25-395).Conclusion:HIV seroconversion rates among employees of organization X have increased significantly in the past two years. Unlike HIV outbreaks previously reported from Pakistan, sexual route seems to be the predominant mode of transmission. Focus is mandated on prevention of sexual transmission of HIV at national level as well for all vulnerable populations.

A Women-Centric Approach: Key to Satisfaction With Agency Services

Involvement of women in commercial sexual activity (CSA) has always been viewed from a moralistic point of view in India, with legislations attempting to rescue and rehabilitate them. Some, however, look at this involvement as legitimate work. Agencies engaged in service provision align themselves to these differing ideologies. This article examines the organizational frameworks and ideologies of agencies engaged in service provision to women in or exiting from CSA, along with assessing women’s level of satisfaction and the duration of services received from these agencies. In doing so, 40 service providers from nine agencies across five major cities in India were interviewed, and 163 women receiving services from these agencies participated in a survey. The findings revealed that agencies differed based on their guiding principles, factors determining services, structure, involvement of peers/survivors, and decision-making process. The level of satisfaction with services, and duration of services received, was the highest for those in women-centric agencies and the lowest in government state protective homes. Agencies assisting women in CSA must consider adopting non-institutional-based and women-centric service approaches, as this would make a real difference to those being assisted.

Demand for heterosexual commercial sex services in Ibadan, Nigeria

Context/Backgroud: This paper examines the demand for heterosexual commercial sex services in Ibadan, Nigeria with specific focus on the sub-markets where different commercial sex activities are usually traded. Identified players include commercial sex workers (females), clients (males) and intermediaries (exploiters). Data Sources & Method: This study employed multi-stage sampling procedure. At the first stage, the most populous local government area in Ibadan was purposively selected; for the second stage, ten locations where commercial sex work exists were purposively selected while eighteen (18) clients were randomly and discretely selected from each of the sites at the last stage. The eventual sample size was one hundred and sixty-eight (168) clients. The empirical model derived from the rational addiction theory and it was estimated using Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) technique. Results: The results show that the demand is highly responsive to age, marital status, income, tastes and preferences and the price (with respect to condom usage). Clubs/bars, streets and houses were the highly patronised sub-markets, though the demand was increasing with short time and per night services in some sub-markets, it was decreasing in others. The nature of risk became more pronounced with clubs/bar clients being more risk loving while others were risk averse in other sub-markets based on their respective significant condom usage.

The Effect of Measures Taken by Craigslist to Screen Online Ads for Commercial Sex

A 2017 U.S. Senate subcommittee report charging employees at backpage.com with editing the website’s online ads for prostitution has revived debate over the willingness and ability of such websites to screen ads for unlawful commercial sex activity. This study sheds light on the controversy by revisiting the dispute surrounding similar advertising on craigslist.com . Using an observational pre–post research design, I examined unique data collected from commercial sex ads on a North Carolina Craigslist site to assess the impact of enhanced ad screening measures that Craigslist implemented to address misuse of its ad hosting services. Results indicate that Craigslist’s switch to a manual review of ads led to significant decreases in illicit ad content, temporarily inhibiting online marketing of commercial sex by regional advertisers.

Factors associated with commercial sexual behavior among men who have sex with men in Shenzhen, China, in 2011-2015

Objective: To investigate the status and factors associated with commercial sexual behavior among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Shenzhen. Methods: A convenience sampling method was used to recruit MSM in Shenzhen from 2011 to 2015. Questionnaire-based interviews were conducted on a one-on-one basis. Data were collected, including socio-demographic information, HIV testing history, history of blood donation and drug abuse in the last 2 years, self-reported sexual orientation, role in homosexual behavior, and experience serving as a male sex worker and/or as a client of male sex workers. Blood samples (5 ml) were taken and tested for treponema pallidum and HIV antibodies. The rate of MSM serving as male sex workers among different age groups was analyzed using the Cochran-Armitage trend test. Factors associated with commercial sexual behavior were analyzed by univariate logistic regression and multivariate unconditional logistic regression. Results: Among the 3 040 MSM recruited, 341 (11.2%) reported having served as male sex worker. The prevalence rates of syphilis, HIV, and syphilis-HIV co-infection among all recruited MSM were 18.3% (556/3 040), 9.8% (297/3 040), and 5.1% (154/3 040), respectively. The prevalence rates of syphilis, HIV, and syphilis-HIV co-infection among those who served as male sex worker were 27.0% (92/341), 16.4% (56/341), and 8.8% (30/341), respectively, and the prevalence rates among MSM with no experience as male sex worker were 17.2% (464/2 699), 8.9% (241/2 699), and 4.6% (124/2 699), respectively. Compared with non-male sex worker MSM, male sex worker had a significantly higher prevalence rates of syphilis, HIV, and syphilis-HIV co-infection (with χ2 values of 19.41, 19.28, and 11.12, and P-values of <0.001,<0.001, 0.001, respectively). The results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis indicate that>30-year-old MSM or education level of college or above, reside in Shenzhen for 0.5-3.0 years or the living years above 3.0 years are less likely to serve as male sex worker compared with<30-year-old MSM, education level of high school or below, who reside in Shenzhen for less than 0.5 years; the OR (95%CI) values were 0.55 (0.42-0.71), 0.10 (0.06-0.14), 0.46 (0.31-0.68), and 0.23 (0.16-0.33), respectively. MSM having a monthly income of >5 000 yuan, drug abuse history, experience as male sex worker clients, and self-reported insertive and receptive anal sex behaviors were more likely to have experience serving as male sex worker compared with those having a monthly income of <3 000 yuan (OR=2.57, 95%CI: 1.85-3.57), no drug abuse history (OR=3.23, 95% CI: 2.14-4.87), no experience as male sex worker clients (OR =1.50, 95% CI: 1.04-2.15) and who engage in predominantly insertive anal sex behaviors (OR=1.77, 95% CI: 1.34-2.35). Conclusion: Age, education level, duration of residence in Shenzhen, monthly income, history of drug abuse, role in homosexual activity, and had experience commercial sex activity were associated with serving as a male sex worker among MSM. These factors need to be considered when designing syphilis/HIV prevention programs for MSM.