Eliciting Street-Based Sex Worker Perspectives to Inform Prostitution Policy Development

ABSTRACT

Using a visual method developed with input from program participants, this study reports on data collected from people attending a Baltimore drop-in center for women in street-based sex work (N = 17). Respondents created collages expressing future hopes and aspirations, which they discussed in focus groups and interviews. Respondents focused on health, reunification with family, employment and housing. Although respondents’ easily visualized goals, they often seemed out of reach. Hurdles that they noted were largely due to poverty and lack of opportunities. Our findings highlight the negative impact of prostitution policy on women’s choices and their ability to achieve self-identified goals.

KEYWORDS:

• Criminal justice
• prostitution
• street-based sex work
• visual research methods

Notes

¹ This information was only collected systematically in the interviews.

² Magazines covered a variety of genres and included Ms., National Geographic, People, Good Housekeeping, and Glamour.

³ The names on the collage that have been covered for confidentiality are Betti’s real name (at the top) and the names of her daughters (one in each heart).