International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers DECEMBER 17

International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers

DECEMBER 17

Female, male and transgender sex workers face high levels of violence, stigma, discrimination and
other human-rights violations. Violence against sex workers is associated with inconsistent condom
use or lack of condom use, and with increased risk of STI and HIV infection. Violence also prevents
sex workers from accessing HIV information and services.
Violence is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the intentional use of physical force
or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or against a group or community

that results or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, sexual or psychological harm, maldevelopment
or deprivation of liberty (see also Box 2.1).
Male, female and transgender sex workers may face violence because of the stigma associated with
sex work, which in most settings is criminalized, or due to discrimination based on gender, race, HIV
status, drug use or other factors. Most violence against sex workers is a manifestation of gender
inequality and discrimination directed at women, or at men and transgender individuals who do not
conform to gender and heterosexual norms, either because of their feminine appearance or the way

they express their sexuality.
Modelling estimates in two different epidemic contexts (Kenya and Ukraine) show that a reduction of
approximately 25% in HIV infections among sex workers may be achieved when physical or sexual
violence is reduced.2
More HIV prevention programmes are implementing strategies to address
violence against sex workers and protect their human rights as an integral part of HIV prevention,
treatment and care. Addressing violence can make it easier for sex workers to access services and
make their own choices about their long-term health and welfare.
Forms of violence faced by sex workers

Physical violence: Being subjected to physical force which can potentially cause death, injury or harm. It
includes, but is not limited to: having an object thrown at one, being slapped, pushed, shoved, hit with the
fist or with something else that could hurt, being kicked, dragged, beaten up, choked, deliberately burnt,
threatened with a weapon or having a weapon used against one (e.g. gun, knife or other weapon). These
acts are operationally defined and validated in WHO survey methods on violence against women. Other
acts that could be included in a definition of physical violence are: biting, shaking, poking, hair-pulling and
physically restraining a person.
Sexual violence: Rape, gang rape (i.e. by more than one person), sexual harassment, being physically forced
or psychologically intimidated to engage in sex or subjected to sex acts against one’s will (e.g. undesired

touching, oral, anal or vaginal penetration with penis or with an object) or that one finds degrading or
humiliating.
Emotional or psychological violence: Includes, but is not limited to, being insulted (e.g. called derogatory
names) or made to feel bad about oneself; being humiliated or belittled in front of other people; being
threatened with loss of custody of one’s children; being confined or isolated from family or friends; being
threatened with harm to oneself or someone one cares about; repeated shouting, inducing fear through
intimidating words or gestures; controlling behaviour; and the destruction of possessions.
Human-rights violations that should be considered in conjunction with violence against sex workers are:
• having money extorted
• being denied or refused food or other basic necessities
• being refused or cheated of salary, payment or money that is due to the person

• being forced to consume drugs or alcohol
• being arbitrarily stopped, subjected to invasive body searches or detained by police
• being arbitrarily detained or incarcerated in police stations, detention centres and rehabilitation centres
without due process
• being arrested or threatened with arrest for carrying condoms
• being refused or denied health-care services
• being subjected to coercive health procedures such as forced STI and HIV testing, sterilization, abortions
• being publicly shamed or degraded (e.g. stripped, chained, spat upon, put behind bars)
• being deprived of sleep by force