Violence against female sex workers in Peru: Implications for sexual and reproductive health

‘When it comes to violence against women, there are no developed countries.' –Charlotte Brunch

Gender-based violence (GBV) does not obey the normally protective effects of education, wealth, and other indicators of economic development; all over the world women are victimized in crimes perpetrated because of gender. To some, GBV is not only a public health and human rights problem, but also one of the most prevalent forms of terrorism in existence today. Women who pertain to marginalized groups such as sex workers are at even greater risk for GBV and related health concerns.

This is a conceptual abstract based on the author's work with female sex workers (FSWs) and on her participation in an ongoing mixed methods study on the incidence, determinants and consequences of GBV in FSWs in Peru. A recent multi-site study by the WHO found incidence rates for physical and sexual violence against women in the general population in Peru to be among the highest of the countries examined; however, among FSWs in Peru there have been no studies to date. The purpose of this presentation is to discuss the ongoing study and to generate a dialogue surrounding GBV in the context of sex work and more specifically in the context of cultural norms that are permissive of broad-based violence against women. As the health effects of GBV are not purely psychological but also impact sexual and reproductive health, this is a topic theoretically of interest to a wide range of public health practitioners.