Sex workers experience stigma and discrimination and are subjected to violence, are reluctant to access services and are susceptible to mental health issues. In Victoria, Australia street-based sex work is illegal and negatively impacts sex workers by exacerbating stigma and discrimination and can lead to social exclusion, low self-esteem and is a violation of their human rights. Legislation has forced street-based sex workers underground thus exposing them to violence, harassment and all forms of abuse. The aim of the study is to investigate the perceptions, experiences and impacts of stigma and discrimination on female street-based sex workers.
An ethnographic study design was employed using participant observation, unstructured interviews and in-depth interviews with 12 women who were working the streets in St. Kilda, Victoria, Australia. Women were recruited from the St. Kilda Gatehouse, a support drop in centre for street-based sex workers. All women were from Caucasian backgrounds. Ten women worked on the streets to support a heroin addiction or were on methadone at the time of the interviews. Ten of the twelve women had children and one woman was pregnant.
Street-based sex workers experience stigma and discrimination on a daily basis by the general public and at times are victims of violence and abuse by clients. Workers are subjected to stigma and discrimination from service providers such as mental health services, judicial services and police, as well they experience violence and abuse in their inter-personal relationships.
Legislative reform, such as the introduction of tolerance zones for street sex workers is needed to address violence currently experienced by street-based sex workers. Tolerance zones would result in increased visibility and reduced stigma and discrimination and also promote sex workers rights. Support organisations need to be judgement free in order to improve women’s social inclusiveness, sense of well-being and provide a sense of community.
