Migration, violence, and safety among migrant sex workers

A qualitative study in two Guatemalan communities

Bibliographic Data

ID15098490
AuthorsTeresita Rocha Jiménez (0000-0003-2455-2865, University of California System), Teresita Rocha-Jimenez, Kimberly C Brouwer (0000-0003-2032-8452, University of California System), Jay G Silverman (0000-0001-9520-672X, University of California System), Sonia Morales-Miranda, Sonia Morales‐Miranda (Universidad del Valle de Guatemala), Shira M Goldenberg (0000-0003-1633-9749, University of California San Diego, corresponding author)
Year2016
Volume18
Issue9
Pages965-979
Publication date2016-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueCulture Health & Sexuality (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1369-1058 • E-ISSN: 1464-5351
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/13691058.2015.1122229
PMID27439656
OpenAlexW2306649003
LanguageEN
Citations received11
References cited38

Despite reports of high levels of violence among women migrants in Central America, limited evidence exists regarding the health and safety of migrant sex workers in Central America. This study is based on 16 months of field research (November 2012-February 2014), including ethnographic fieldwork, in-depth interviews, and focus groups conducted with 52 internal and international migrant female sex workers in Tecún Umán and Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, key transit and destination communities for both international and internal migrants. The analysis explored migration-related determinants of susceptibility to violence experienced by migrant sex workers across different phases of migration. Violence in home communities and economic considerations were key drivers of migration. Unsafe transit experiences (eg undocumented border crossings) and negative interactions with authorities in destination settings (eg extortion) contributed to migrant sex workers' susceptibility to violence, while enhanced access to information on immigration policies and greater migration and sex work experience were found to enhance agency and resilience. Findings suggest the urgent need for actions that promote migrant sex workers' safety in communities of origin, transit, and destination, and programmes aimed at preventing and addressing human rights violations within the context of migration and sex work

Economic growth · Focus group · Geography · Immigration · Migrant workers · Political science · Sex work · Socioeconomics · Sociology · HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk · Medicine · Migration and Labor Dynamics · Sex work and related issues

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