The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #72281

Vicki Meyer, Ph D, Women's Studies, University South Florida, Sarasota, 5700 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34243, 941-360-2146, vmeyer@sar.usf.edu

The health and human rights issues inherent in the prostitution industry are generally recognized but there is little consensus on what should be done about them. Issues raised by social justice and women’s movements in the past such as class, race, and sex priviledge, the concept of choice, and the power of language to shape our thinking, will be explored Public health professionals may benefit from studying these earlier analyses in order to develop strategies whose ultimate aim is to reduce disease and to increase social justice for women.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the basic issues raised by earlier human rights and women’s movements
• Recognize discrimination based on sex, class, race, and country of origin present in the prostitution industry.
• Develop strategies that will help prostituted women make choices compatible with their own interests and beliefs.

Keywords: Sex Workers, Violence

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.