Violence prevention and support interventions for sex workers

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Social Sciences
• Human Rights

Background:

• Violence against sex workers has severe physical and mental health consequences.
• Existing evidence on violence prevention is fragmented, with peer-reviewed literature focusing on client-perpetrated violence and non-peer-reviewed evidence addressing broader human rights abuses and police violence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review global evidence on violence prevention and support interventions for sex workers.
• To focus on violence reduction, mental health, and access to services.
• To identify effective strategies and structural determinants of violence.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed evidence on violence prevention interventions.
• Analysis of intervention effectiveness based on perpetrator and type of violence.
• Examination of the role of sex worker involvement and stakeholder engagement.

Main Results:

• Sex worker involvement in intervention design and delivery improves engagement and effectiveness in violence reduction.
• Interventions targeting client-perpetrated violence do not impact intimate partner violence, and vice versa.
• Peer networks enhance agency but have limited access for migrant and street-based sex workers.
• Broader stakeholder engagement is crucial but can reinforce existing systems of violence.

Conclusions:

• Effective violence reduction requires interventions that acknowledge diverse forms and perpetrators of violence.
• Sex worker-led initiatives are crucial for improving safety and well-being.
• Addressing structural determinants of violence necessitates broad reforms and inclusive stakeholder engagement, while mitigating risks of reinforcing harmful systems.