The impact of an economic empowerment intervention on intimate partner violence among women engaged in sex work in southern Uganda: A cluster randomized control trial.

Women engaged in sex work (WESW) are at heightened risk of experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) compared to women in the general population. This study examines the impact of an economic empowerment intervention on IPV among WESW in Southern Uganda. We used data from 542 WESW in Southern Uganda recruited from 19 HIV hotspots between June 2019 and March 2020. Eligible participants were 18+ years old, engaged in sex work-defined as vaginal or anal sexual intercourse in exchange for money, alcohol, or other goods, reported at least one episode of unprotected sexual intercourse in the past 30 days with a paying, casual, or regular sexual partner (spouse, main partner). We analyzed data collected at baseline, 6, and 12months of follow up. To examine the impact of the intervention on IPV, separate mixed-effects logistic regression models were run for each type of IPV (physical, emotional, and sexual) as experienced by participants in the last 90 days. Results show that the intervention was efficacious in reducing emotional and physical IPV as evidenced by a statistically significant intervention main effect for emotional IPV, χ2(1) = 5.96, p = 0.015, and a significant intervention-by-time interaction effect for physical IPV, χ2(2) = 13.19, p < 0.001. To qualify the intervention impact on physical IPV, pairwise comparisons showed that participants who received the intervention had significantly lower levels of physical IPV compared to those in the control group at six months (contrasts = -0.12 (95% CI: -0.22, -0.02), p = 0.011). The intervention, time, and intervention-by-time main effects for sexual IPV were not statistically significant. Our findings suggest economic empowerment interventions as viable strategies for reducing emotional IPV among WESW. However, it is also essential to understand the role of interventions in addressing other forms of IPV especially for key populations at high risk of violence, HIV, and STI. The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT03583541.

I'm a 45-year-old woman in the body of an 80-year-old: The multiple losses of living and aging in the shadow of prostitution.

INTRODUCTION: Research on aging women who are involved in prostitution is currently limited, both in terms of the number of studies conducted and their scope. Nevertheless, the available research suggests that women who are aging while involved in prostitution may confront some unique challenges. Thus, the study aims to explore the experiences of aging as narrated by Arab women in prostitution, using Intersectionality as a theoretical framework. METHOD: Interpretive phenomenological analysis was used, and semistructured interviews were performed with 12 participants. FINDINGS: Four themes emerged: "I'm a 45-year-old woman in the body of an 80-year-old:" Loss of physical and mental health; "There is no retirement plan in prostitution: Economic and social losses; As they were taken, my soul went with them too: The loss of the parenting experience and motherhood"; and "I'm going to get older with the disgust clinging to me:" The loss of authentic identity and dignity. CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrate how aging serves to exacerbate overlapping forms of discrimination and marginalization. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Healthcare professionals, including nurses caring for older women in prostitution, should be aware of their unique circumstances, considering the social, economic, and healthcare obstacles they face. By being cognizant of these factors, healthcare practitioners can provide meaningful assistance in their pursuit of improved quality of life.

Forging help relationships with commercially sexually exploited youth: Perspectives of Israeli help providers.

BACKGROUND: Previous research points to the many challenges that help providers who support commercially sexually exploited youth encounter in their professional work-yet little is known about how they overcome these challenges, particularly with regard to youth of diverse social backgrounds. OBJECTIVE: The present study applied the conceptual frameworks of help-seeking and intersectionality to explore the professional practices that help providers employ when forging a help relationship with commercially sexually exploited youth. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Israeli help providers who work with commercially sexually exploited youth at various social services. METHOD: In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted, and analyzed using constructivist grounded theory approach. FINDINGS: We identified six major guiding principles that support the participants' processes of forging a help relationship with commercially sexually exploited youth: Do not assume that the youth view their involvement in commercial sexual exploitation as problematic; Continuously attempt to gain the youth's trust; Start from the point where the youth are; Be available at all times, and maintain a steady long-term relationship; Treat commercially sexually exploited youth as agentic individuals and encourage them to lead the process of establishing a help relationship; Similarity in social backgrounds of help providers and commercially sexually exploited youth promotes youth's engagement in the help relationship. CONCLUSIONS: Assuming the co-existence of benefit and harm in commercial sexual exploitation is essential to forging a help relationship with the youth. Applying the intersectional lens to practice in this field can help preserve the delicate balance between victimhood and agency, thereby enhancing help processes.

Mujeres de la vida o Vida de las mujeres: sistema de género colonial, estigma y trabajo sexual / Women of life or Life of women: colonial gender system, stigma and sex work

En un contexto de sistema de género colonial, los estudios del trabajo sexual autónomo han sido objeto histórico de discursos polarizados, al considerarse hegemónicamente como una forma de violencia y en menor medida una opción en un contexto restringido, que es necesario reconocer y regular. Partimos del vacío de estudios sobre el impacto emocional y físico del estigma acumulado en torno al trabajo sexual, entendido este como una forma de violencia simbólica. Realizamos un estudio cualitativo a través de entrevistas en profundidad, a cinco mujeres mayores cisgénero y trans* que ejercen el trabajo sexual. El objetivo es indagar la construcción situada por parte de sus protagonistas, de los significados otorgados a su mundo cotidiano y a la actividad que realizan. Los resultados ahondan en la tensión y articulación entre procesos de agenciamiento y de victimización. (AU)

Within the context of a colonial gender system, studies of autonomous sex work have historically been the object of polarized discourses, as they are considered hegemonically as a form of violence or, to a lesser extent, as an option in a restricted context, which needs to be recognized and regulated. Our stating point is the lack of studies on the emotional and physical impact of the stigma accumulated around sex work, understood as a form of symbolic violence. We carried out a qualitative study through in-depth interviews with five older cisgender and trans* women sex workers. The objective is to investigate the situated construction by its protagonists, of the meanings given to their daily world and to the activity they carry out. The results delve into the tension and articulation between processes of agency and victimization. (AU)

Mental health challenges and perceived risks among female sex Workers in Nairobi, Kenya.

BACKGROUND: Female sex workers (FSWs) in Kenya are at an increased risk of violence, poverty, police arrest, and problematic alcohol and other substance use, all of which are linked to poor mental health and suicidal ideation. Despite the psychological stressors experienced by FSWs, there is no published qualitative methods research investigating their mental health experiences in Kenya. In this paper, we draw on data from in-depth interviews to examine FSWs' lifetime mental health experiences and perceived risk factors. METHODS: We used baseline in-depth interviews of the Maisha Fiti longitudinal study of FSWs in Nairobi. We randomly selected 40 FSWs from 1003 FSWs who attended a baseline behavioural-biological interview as part of the Maisha Fiti study. The interview guide was semi-structured, and participants were asked to detail their life stories, including narrating specific events such as entry into sex work, experiences of violence, mental health experiences, and use of alcohol and other substances. Interviews were recorded in Kiswahili/ English and transcribed in English. Data were coded and thematically analysed in Nvivo (v.12). RESULTS: Results indicated that the majority of participants understood 'mental health' as 'insanity', 'stress', 'depression', and 'suicide'; nevertheless, a number described mental health symptomatically, while a few believed that mental health problems were caused by witchcraft. Interestingly, poverty, low levels of education, poor job opportunities, a lack of family support, harmful gender norms, intimate partner violence and subsequent relationship breakdowns, and family bereavement all contributed to poor mental health and subsequent entry into sex work. In addition, the consequences of sex work such as sexual risks, and ongoing violence from police and clients, further exacerbated poor mental health. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need for both micro- and macro interventions to address poverty and violence against FSWs in Kenya, thereby reducing mental health problems. Addressing violence against women and girls may also reduce entry into sex work. Improving mental health literacy and providing mental health intervention services for 'at-risk' populations such as FSWs should enhance coping strategies and help-seeking efficacy.

Health vulnerabilities in female sex workers in Brazil, 2016.

Female sex workers (FSW) suffer stigma and discrimination that negatively impact their physical and mental health and affect access to health care services. This paper aims to describe selected health indicators among FSW in 12 Brazilian cities in 2016. Brazilian cross-sectional Biological Behavioral Surveillance Survey was conducted in 2016 among 4328 FSW recruited by respondent-driven sampling. The sample weighing was inversely proportional to participant's network sizes and the seeds were excluded from the analysis. Health indicators were estimated with 95% confidence interval and included indicators of health status, symptoms of depression, antenatal care, pap smear coverage, signs and symptoms of sexually transmitted infection, contraception and regular condom use, number of births and children alive per women, human immunodeficiency virus and syphilis testing, usual source of care, and perception of discrimination. Most participants self-rated their health as very good/good (65.8%) and 27.7% were positively screened for major depressive disorder episode on Patient Health Questionnaire-2. Antenatal coverage was 85.8% and 62.3% of FSW had access to pap smear exam in the past 3 years. A total of 67.0% of FSW were using some contraceptive method at the time of the study. Male condom was the most common method (37.1%), followed by oral pill (28.9%). A total of 22.5% FSW had never been tested for HIV and the main reasons were "not feeling at risk" (40.4%) and "being afraid or ashamed" (34.0%). The vast majority of FSW used Brazilian National Health System as their usual source of health care (90.2%). Approximately one-fifth of the participants felt discriminated against or were treated worse for being FSW (21.4%) and only 24.3% disclose their sex work status in health services. The vulnerability of FSW is expressed in all health indicators. Indicators of health status, antenatal care, pap smear coverage, and contraception were worse than in the Brazilian population, and point out to the importance of increase FSW's access to health care services. Also, stigma and discrimination emerged as an important barrier to FSW's health care in all dimensions and need to be struggled.

An Analysis of Romantic Partnership Dynamics in Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Case Files.

Domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST) is the commercial sexual exploitation of a minor citizen or legal resident within the United States. Previous research suggests that although DMST is often discussed as though it is a uniform phenomenon, traffickers may use different tactics and exploit different victim vulnerabilities depending upon their established relationships with those who are at-risk for trafficking. The purpose of this qualitative study, therefore, is to explore the relationship patterns and dynamics that emerge between DMST victims and their romantic partner traffickers. This study utilizes the secondary case files of 38 domestic minors who were trafficked for sex by their romantic partners in one state in the United States between 2012 and 2017. The study is conceptualized according to the principles of directed content analysis and multiple case study design and relies heavily on previous research findings related to victim-trafficker relationship typology. The authors conducted two rounds of coding before applying themes to the case files. The analysis revealed that DMST victims trafficked by romantic partners are often influenced by environmental circumstances, such as gang involvement and family systems involvement. Romantic partner traffickers use specific recruitment tactics to entrap their victims, and exercise methods such as caregiving, sexual violence, and psychological violence to maintain control over their victims. Study results provide a significant extension to the anti-trafficking field's understanding of DMST and the romantic partner relationships that underpin it. The results suggest that anti-trafficking advocates should screen at-risk adolescents for gang involvement, family involvement in the sex industry. They should also educate at-risk adolescents about DMST as a potential component of teen dating violence.

"When Her Visa Expired, the Family Refused to Renew It," Intersections of Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence: Qualitative Document Analysis of Case Examples from a Major Midwest City.

This study aimed to further understand typologies of trafficking that occur in the home, by an individual's intimate partner (IP) or family members and this overlap with extant knowledge on perpetrator manipulation via the Power and Control Wheel. Inductive and deductive techniques were used to analyze secondary data from a federally funded anti-trafficking program in a Midwest metropolitan area recorded between 2008 and 2017. Cases were included if there was indication of sex or labor exploitation initiated by an IP, family member, or other in the domestic setting via elements of abuse; 59 cases of 213 met this criteria. Most cases included the IP as the trafficker, followed by family members, then others in the domestic setting. Abuse was more commonly used than the threat of abuse. From the Power and Control Wheel, the most frequent types of abuse were using privilege, physical abuse, economic abuse, isolation, and sexual abuse. Case typologies included: those with elements of sex trafficking, specifically forced commercial sex by an IP or family member; those with elements of labor trafficking such as domestic servitude (with or without childcare provision abuse), exploitation in a family business by an IP or family member, or work environments by family and non-family; those with elements of sex and labor trafficking included servile partnerships and forced marriage. Trafficking exploitation by an IP, family member, or in the domestic setting is not uncommon. Intimate relationships with a trafficker, psychological coercion, and threats may reduce reporting of abuse, subsequent provision of services, and result in misclassification as victims of IP violence. This study sheds light on various typologies of trafficking and exploitation in the domestic setting, further expanding the anti-trafficking movement's evidence base for intervention and prevention and adding complexity and nuance to the pathways to trafficking exploitation.

'Eventually I wanted something more': sexual self-reflections of South African women engaged in transactional sexual relationships with blessers.

The term 'blesser' emerged from social media in South Africa, typically denoting an older man who provides a younger woman with money and/or luxury items in exchange for sex. Within an increasingly consumerist culture, such transactional sexual relationships hold powerful appeal, and remain highly prevalent. An estimated one in three Black South African women have engaged in transactional sex. While these liaisons are associated with negative health outcomes for women, especially in high HIV prevalence settings, attention to how they affect Black women's sexuality is under-studied-especially with respect to emotional and sexual development-an important part of sexual rights and wellbeing. We used qualitative methods to investigate 22 women's experiences with blessers. A sexual rights framework was utilised to explore human rights dimensions. We found women's rights to engage in consensual sex, pursue sexual pleasure and ensure their bodily integrity were compromised. Many participants recognised the psychological costs and limitations of engaging in blesser relationships. Women communicated that they realised such partnerships failed to meet their emotional and relationship needs. Against the backdrop of structural gender inequality, Black South African women's narratives should inform research, programmes and educational interventions aimed at advancing women's sexual development, rights and wellbeing.

Sentidos da qualidade de vida para trabalhadoras sexuais: estrutura das representações sociais / Sentido de calidad de vida para trabajadoras sexuales: estructura de las representaciones sociales / Meanings of quality of life for sex workers: structure of social representations

Resumo Objetivo Analisar os sentidos atribuídos por trabalhadoras do sexo à qualidade de vida evidenciados na estrutura das representações sociais. Métodos Estudo qualitativo baseado na Teoria das Representações Sociais, com 133 mulheres do Alto Sertão Produtivo Baiano. Aplicou-se um roteiro contendo o estímulo 'qualidade de vida' para o teste de evocação livre de palavras. As evocações foram analisadas com o quadro de quatro casas e a árvore máxima de similitude. Resultados Pressupõe-se que os sentidos atribuídos à qualidade de vida, presentes na estrutura central das representações das participantes, estão associados aos léxicos vida saudável, saúde mental, paz, proteção, segurança, dinheiro e família, remetendo a uma acepção positiva do conceito apontado pela Organização Mundial de Saúde. Contudo, evidencia-se um possível subgrupo na zona de contraste, talvez pelo contexto, vivências e experiências distintas das demais participantes, com destaque para as evocações tristeza, estresse e ansiedade, as quais remetem aos problemas enfrentados no cotidiano do serviço sexual. Conclusão Fez-se presente na estrutura das representações sociais das trabalhadoras sexuais, sentidos voltados à vida saudável e aos recursos financeiros (importante para sobrevivência delas e dos familiares) que remetem aos aspectos conceituais e atitudinais que conformam o conceito de qualidade de vida.

Resumen Objetivo Analizar los sentidos atribuidos por trabajadoras sexuales a la calidad de vida evidenciados en la estructura de las representaciones sociales. Métodos Estudio cualitativo basado en la teoría de las representaciones sociales, con 133 mujeres del Alto Sertão Produtivo del estado de Bahia. Se aplicó un guion que contenía el estímulo "calidad de vida" en la prueba de evocación libre de palabras. Las evocaciones se analizaron con el cuadro de cuatro casas y el árbol máximo de similitud. Resultados Se presupone que los sentidos atribuidos a la calidad de vida, presentes en la estructura central de las representaciones de las participantes, están asociados a los léxicos vida saludable, salud mental, paz, protección, seguridad, dinero y familia, que remite a una aceptación positiva del concepto indicado por la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Sin embargo, se evidencia un posible subgrupo en la zona de contraste, tal vez por el contexto, las vivencias y las experiencias distintas de las demás participantes, con énfasis en las evocaciones tristeza, estrés y ansiedad, que remiten a los problemas enfrentados en la cotidianidad del servicio sexual. Conclusión En la estructura de las representaciones sociales de las trabajadoras sexuales, se observan sentidos orientados a la vida saludable y a los recursos financieros (importante para su supervivencia y la de sus familiares), que remiten a los aspectos conceptuales y actitudinales que conforman el concepto de calidad de vida.

Abstract Objective To analyze the meanings attributed by sex workers to the quality of life evidenced in the structure of social representations. Methods Qualitative study based on the Theory of Social Representations, with a total of 133 women from the Alto Sertão Produtivo Baiano. A script containing the stimulus 'quality of life' was applied to the test of free evocation of words. The evocations were analyzed with the four houses chart and the maximum tree of similarity. Results It is assumed that the meanings attributed to quality of life, present in the central structure of the participants' representations, are associated with the words healthy life, mental health, peace, protection, safety, money and family, referring to a positive meaning of the concept pointed out by the World Health Organization. However, a possible subgroup in the contrast zone is evident, perhaps due to the context, experiences and experiences different from the other participants, with emphasis on the evocations of sadness, stress and anxiety, which refer to the problems faced in the everyday sexual service. Conclusion It was present in the structure of the social representations of sex workers, meanings focused on healthy life and financial resources (important for their and their family's survival) that refer to the conceptual and attitudinal aspects that shape the concept of quality of life.

Population-based HIV prevalence, stigma and HIV risk among trans women in Nepal.

BACKGROUND: Transgender women (trans women) in Nepal are underserved in the HIV response. Data are needed to determine the HIV prevalence disaggregated from other key populations and to identify the particular risks faced by this community. Trans women are marginalized around the world and research is also needed to determine the impact of stigma on HIV risk to inform trans-specific interventions. METHODS: In 2019, we conducted the first population-based HIV behavioral surveillance study of trans women disaggregated from other key populations using respondent driven sampling (RDS). We estimated the HIV prevalence for trans women, and bivariate and multivariate Poisson binomial regression models were constructed to examine the relationship between HIV risk and stigma. RESULTS: Trans women participants (N = 200) had a mean age of 33 years old (SD = 10.96). We found a weighted HIV prevalence of 11.3% (95% CI 6·82% - 18·13). We found that depression and anxiety (aPR 0.81; 95% CI 0.67-0.97; p = 0·02) and current engagement in sex work (aPR 1.31; 95% CI 1.01-1.71; p = 0·046) were significantly associated with greater prevalence of condomless receptive anal intercourse. We found that experienced stigma of ever being verbally abused due to gender identity was significantly associated with lower prevalence of depression and anxiety (aPR 0.42; 95% CI 0.20-0.87; p = 0·002). Feeling unaccepted in Nepali society and believing people thought they were a criminal because of their trans identity was significantly associated greater prevalence of current sex work (aPR 1.36; 95% CI 1.03-1.78; p = 0·03; aPR 1.45; 95% CI 1.03-2.07; p = 0.04). Every measure of experienced stigma assessed was significantly associated with greater prevalence of current engagement in sex work. CONCLUSIONS: Trans women are highly stigmatized in Nepal, leading to individual and systems factors that impact their risk for HIV. Interventions are needed that support the economic and mental wellbeing of trans women to prevent their heighted risk of HIV from stigma.

Violence Against Male Sex Workers: A Systematic Scoping Review of Quantitative Data.

Sex workers are recognized to be potentially vulnerable to violence and abuse. However, the extent and nature of violence committed against male sex workers remains under reported. The aim of this evidence scoping review was to identify the prevalence of violence against male sex workers globally. A systematic search was conducted of 8 databases from 1990 to the end of December 2016. In total, quantitative data from 27 studies conducted in 18 countries were included in the review. Evidence indicates that some male sex workers, especially those in non-Western countries, do experience high levels of violence. The largest proportion of studies reported data on sexual violence, whilst the most common type of violence experienced overall by male sex workers was that of 'verbal or emotional abuse or threats'. The views and experiences of male sex workers should be integrated fully into sex work debates, policy and service provision.

Etnografando experiências urbanas de mulheres profissionais do sexo / Ethnography on urban experiences of female sex workers

Objetiva-se analisar as experiências urbanas de mulheres profissionais do sexo que trabalham nas ruas em torno dos seguintes eixos: 1. Comercialização do sexo na paisagem urbana, modos de uso da cidade e fronteiras estabelecidas pelas mulheres; 2. Experiências e afetos vividos no cotidiano; 3. Trabalho na rua –o espaço urbano como elemento de vulnerabilização e/ou de potência. Interessa-nos aproximar das experiências de trabalho nas ruas, a partir da perspecti-va de gênero e investigar a emergência de agenciamentos que problematizam as dinâmicas de assujeitamento das mulheres às construções sociais hegemônicas sobre a comercialização do sexo. Para tanto, utilizou-se as categorias preconizadas pela etnografia urbana: pedaço, man-cha, trajeto e circuito.Considera-se que a diversidade de práticas de comercialização do sexo e as vulnerabilidades que emergem da atividade que ocorre nas ruas são elementos fundamen-tais da relação cidade-gênero. (AU)

The objective is to analyze the urban experiences of women sex professionals working in the streets around the following axes: 1. commercialization of sex in the urban landscape, modes of use of the city and boundaries established by women; 2. experiences and affections lived in daily life; 3. work in the street -the urban space as an element of vulnerability and/or power. We are interested in approaching the experiences of work in the streets, from the perspective of gender and investigate the emergence of agencies that problematize the dynamics of sub-jecting women to hegemonic social constructions on the commercialization of sex. For this, we used the categories recommended by urban ethnography: piece, spot, path and circuit. It is considered that the diversity of practices of commercialization of sex and the vulnerabilities that emerge from the activity that occurs on the streets are fundamental elements of the city-gender relationship. (AU)

Prostitución femenina y género en el contexto colombiano: un estado del arte (2010-2019) / Female prostitution and gender in the colombian context: a state of the art. (2010-2019)

Introducción: desde el enfoque de género, la prostitución de las mujeres se explica como una expresión del modelo patriarcal. Este enfoque puede aportar elementos sustanciales para la comprensión y el abordaje a la prostitución femenina, de cara a la realidad colombiana, donde se carece de estudios documentales en esta línea conceptual. Método: se realizó un estado del arte de la investigación teórica y aplicada sobre la prostitución femenina, con lectura de género, en el periodo 2010-2019. Resultados: de los estudios analizados, varios situados en Bogotá, se ocupa especialmente la academia. Los autores coinciden en que la prostitución se deriva de la intersección entre desigualdades de género e injusticia social, y causa violencias de género y estigmatización. Políticas sociales para erradicarla, legalización y empoderamiento de las mujeres surgen como opciones para hacerle frente. Conclusión: para nutrir la política pública se requiere avanzar en la comprensión de los aspectos subjetivos implicados en este estilo de vida, profundizar en los discursos, construcciones y significados de género, e incluir la realidad de quienes están inmersas en la modalidad "prepago"

Introduction: According to the gender perspective, the prostitution of women is explained as an expression of the patriarchal model. This approach can provide substantial elements for the understanding and approach to female prostitution, facing the Colombian reality, where there is a lack of documentary studies in this conceptual line. Method: a state of the art of theoretical and applied research on female prostitution was carried out, with a gender reading, in the period 2010-2019, based on 18 studies. Results: Rendering to the studies analyzed, several located in Bogotá, the academy is especially concerned. The authors agree that prostitution stems from the intersection between gender inequalities and social injustice and causes gender violence and stigmatization. Social policies to eradicate it, legalization, and empowerment of women emerge as options to face it. Conclusion: Concerning the above, to nurture public policy, it is necessary to advance in the understanding of the subjective aspects involved in this lifestyle, deepening the discourses, constructions, and gender meanings and including the reality of those who are immersed (women) in the "prepaid" modality

[Persons in prostitution situation. Disposition of the own body or human subjectivity as object?] / Las personas en situación de prostitución. ¿Disposición del propio cuerpo o cosificación de la subjetividad humana?

The authors make an interdisciplinary approach to prostitution, with emphasis on women. From the psychological point of view, they adopt a systemic approach, and validate the expression ″persons in prostitution situation″; they review the state of the art in legal matters and public policies, making a critical analysis based on the tradition of realistic thinking. They argue that one of the fundamental issues involved is the unity of the human person and the role that intimacy plays in it, polemicizing against usual objections. Finally, they state their conclusions, which implies affirming that prostitution considers human person as object, and therefore it is contrary to her or his dignity.

Collaborative Responses to Commercial Sexual Exploitation as a Model of Smart Decarceration.

Historically, youths who are affected by commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) in the United States have been implicated as perpetrators of crime and overrepresented in the juvenile justice system. As an intriguing example of the "smart decarceration" social work grand challenge, policy and practice initiatives have converged to decriminalize cisgender girls and young women experiencing CSE by reframing them as victims of exploitation rather than as criminals. To date, these efforts have largely focused on gender-specific programming for cisgender girls and young women. In this article, the authors describe how federal, state, and local policy and practice innovations have supported reframing CSE as a form of child maltreatment and rerouted girls and young women from the juvenile justice system to specialized services. Using Los Angeles County as a case example, the authors detail how innovative prevention, intervention, and aftercare programs can serve as models of smart decarceration for CSE-affected cisgender girls and young women with the potential to address the needs of youths with diverse gender and sexual identities.

Las personas en situación de prostitución. ¿Disposición del propio cuerpo o cosificación de la subjetividad humana? / Persons in prostitution situation. Disposition of the own body or human subjectivity as object?

Los autores realizan una aproximación interdisciplinar a la prostitución, con énfasis en la femenina. Desde el punto de vista psicológico, adoptan un enfoque sistémico, y validan la expresión "personas en situación de prostitución"; revisan el estado del arte en materia jurídica y de políticas públicas, haciendo un análisis crítico sobre la base de la tradición de pensamiento realista. Sostienen que una de las cuestiones de fondo implicadas es la unidad de la persona humana y el rol que juega en ella la intimidad, polemizando contra objeciones usuales. Finalmente, enuncian sus conclusiones, que en lo sustancial implica afirmar que la prostitución constituye una situación objetiva de cosificación, y por ello contraria a la dignidad de la persona

The authors make an interdisciplinary approach to prostitution, with emphasis on women. From the psychological point of view, they adopt a systemic approach, and validate the expression "persons in prostitution situation"; they review the state of the art in legal matters and public policies, making a critical analysis based on the tradition of realistic thinking. They argue that one of the fundamental issues in-volved is the unity of the human person and the role that intimacy plays in it, polemicizing against usual objections. Finally, they state their conclusions, which implies affirming that prostitution considers human person as object, and therefore it is contrary to her or his dignity

The Sexuality of Sex Workers: Sexual Arousability and the Sexual Profile of Women Engaged in Prostitution in Serbia.

BACKGROUND: In a view of sex work being a sexual behavioural activity, the main objective of our research was to explore the sexuality of sex workers in Serbia regarding to intensity of their sexual arousability. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The research was conducted on 30 sex workers and 30 controls of randomly selected social and demographic characteristics, without any signs of psychiatric morbidity. For the evaluation of the intensity of sexual arousability, SAI (Sexual Arousability Index) questionnaire was used. RESULTS: The analysis of the main total scores of the SAI for the sex workers and control participants showed no statistically significant difference in the overall intensity of arousability (p>0.05). However, item by item analysis of the questionnaire showed qualitative difference in sexuality between sex workers and controls, related to certain aspects of sexuality. CONCLUSIONS: These findings allow the space for further research in the way of identifying origins of qualitative issues in the sexual profile of sex workers, in correlation to women who are not sex workers, i.e. whether they had been result of potential biological, specific psychodynamic factors, or have been formed as a result of the direct influence of the sex work.

HIV infections among female sex workers in Mombasa, Kenya: current prevalence and trends over 25 years.

Over 20 years, interventions have targeted HIV among female sex workers (FSWs) in Kenya given their central role in new infections. To determine the effects of these interventions, we assessed the prevalence and correlates of HIV among a random sample of FSWs and modelled prevalence estimates from studies since 1993. FSWs aged 16-34 years were enrolled through multi-stage sampling. Regression models identified correlates of HIV infection. Generalised linear mixed modelling estimated temporal changes in prevalence between 1993 and 2016. 882 FSWs were enrolled. Prevalence rose from 3.6% among 16-20-year-olds to 31.6% among 31-34-year-old FSWs. Those aged 31 to 34 years had greater odds of HIV compared to those 16 to 20 years (AOR 14.2, 95% CI, 5.5-36.8). Infection was less prevalent among FSWs with tertiary education compared to those with primary or no education (AOR 0.23, 95% CI, 0.07-0.78). There was an overall 30% reduction in prevalence from 1993 to 2016 with an average annual decline of 3%. About one in ten FSWs in Mombasa are currently infected with HIV. Considering FSWs' central role in sustaining population-level infections, these initiatives require continued support, focusing on reducing transmission from older FSWs and those with less education.

Recognizing the Risk Factors, Signs, and Symptoms of Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking in Mental Health Clinical Practice.

The purpose of the current article is to educate psychiatric providers on domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST). Psychiatric providers (e.g., psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners, psychiatrists, physician assistants, therapists, case managers) interact with victims of sex trafficking but may fail to recognize the signs of victimization and the risk factors associated with becoming a victim of DMST. This educational article offers an overview of the definitions of sex trafficking, and the risk factors, prevalence, and health consequences of DMST. It also summarizes what is known about how those at-risk for DMST and DMST victims interact with the mental health care system. Mental health professionals provide a crucial point of contact with these populations and must strive to prevent, identify, and respond to DMST and at-risk youths. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 58(11), 21-28.].