Abstract:
Most researchers studying sex work have focused on the risks of sexually transmitted diseases, predominantly HIV, for sex
workers, their clients, and subsequent partners. Security threats and Harassment against sex workers often go
undocumented and unnoticed. Consequently, few researchers have addressed security threats and harassment against
sex workers, and these few have generated limited evidence about the nature of security threat and harassment from the
sex-worker’s perspective. In this study, we used qualitative methods to explore the characteristics of security threats and
harassment against sex workers and how such dangers influence their personal and societal health risks. The
participants were selected using purposive, snowball and direct sampling techniques. The data were collected through
in-depth interviews with 38 sex workers. The results revealed that security threat and harassment against sex workers
could be clustered into five categories, security threat and harassment from other sex workers, clients, relatives or
partners of the clients, law enforcers, and vigilante groups and support staff in establishments where sex work takes
place. Because they are disadvantaged and engage in illegal employment, these sex workers were trapped in a circle of
threats. To reduce security threats and Harassment, sex work should be decriminalized along with strategies to decrease
poverty and social inequality. Sex workers’ labor rights must be promoted, including through occupational health and
safety standards. A specialized agency needs to be established to protect the rights and safety of sex workers. Finally,
Policy and programming should invest in communities to promote collectivization and sex worker capacity through legal
literacy and access to justice.
