Women Exiting Street-Based Sex Work: Correlations between Ethno-Racial Identity, Number of Children, and Violent Experiences

Abstract

Through this article the authors examine data collected from 126 women seeking services at a transitional housing facility, primarily for women leaving street-based prostitution. Descriptive statistics on the women's ethno-racial identity, numbers of children, and experiences with violence are presented and analyzed to determine correlations and implications for social service providers working with this unique population of women. Nearly half of respondents are women of color, a majority have given birth to at least one child, and more than half are in a non-commercial intimate partnership, with a significant number reporting extensive experiences with violent trauma and abuse. Results indicate statistically significant differences in women's ethno-racial self-identification and their experiences of sex work and violence, as well as their marital status. Most notably, African-American and Hispanic women face the greatest and most diverse forms of intimate partner violence and negative sex industry experiences, with African-Americans more likely to engage in sex work as minors, be sexually abused as children, work for a pimp, and face physical assault and instances of sex trafficking. Results also support existing research showing correlations between traumatic childhood events and adult substance abuse, sexual assault, and other negative outcomes.

Keywords::

• Sex work
• trauma
• race
• children
• motherhood
• prostitution
• violence

Acknowledgments

The co-authors are grateful to University of Wyoming undergraduate student Kayla-Ann Hawley for her work assisting with preliminary data analysis.

Notes

^1. The Samaritan Women based out of Baltimore, Maryland provides transitional housing for women escaping sex trafficking and intentionally engages Christian churches to promote its mission (http://thesamaritanwomen.org/about-us/vision-beliefs-values/). Sun Dance Lodge in Phoenix, Arizona provides long-term shelter to women exiting sex trafficking and prostitution, but little information is available online. Refuge for Women is a Christian nonprofit based out of Kentucky which may hold up to eight women exiting sex work. This organization has opened similar transitional housing facilities in Las Vegas and Florida and it working to open one in Chicago soon (http://www.refugeforwomen.org/). SafeHouse San Francisco offers services that “enable residents to confront the trauma of the past in a healing environment while developing independent living skills” (http://www.sfsafehouse.org/about/history). Founded by a Presbyterian minister in 1998, Safe House San Francisco focuses specifically on healing the impacts of trauma for women leaving street-based prostitution. The Catholic Social Services in Phoenix, Arizona provides housing for women recovering from the consequences of prostitution. Created Women is located in Florida and provides care through Christian therapy, Bible studies, and other residential programs (http://www.createdwomen.com/what-we-do/). Hope House combines faith-based and research informed programing for women leaving the sex industry in Louisiana offering a rural home focused on healing from trauma (http://www.hopehouseus.org/). Destiny House Restoration Center provides transitional housing services to women escaping from sex trafficking in LA, California and is run by Hookers 4 Jesus (http://www.destinyhouserc.org/). One Way Out is a ministry that offers a Christ-centered women's home for people leaving the adult entertainment industry (http://onewayout.org/). The Esther House in Denver, Colorado targets women leaving the sex industry by offering transitional housing and teaching residents “Biblical principles of living free and productive lives” (Open Door Ministries, retrieved 2015). The WellHouse is a faith-based, Christian nonprofit which offers transitional housing and shelter to women leaving the sex industry and who have been trafficked (http://the-wellhouse.org/about-us/our-story/index.html). Generate Hope provides long-term transitional housing and education for women in San Diego, CA. They are a Christian nonprofit (http://generatehope.org/). The Dream Center Human Trafficking program is supported by The Church Las Vegas and offers an 8 bed transitional home for adult women victimized by sex trafficking (http://www.dreamcenter.org/our-outreaches/human-trafficking/). The Homestead is a Christian ministry providing transitional housing, counseling, and mandatory Bible studies (http://www.homesteadministry.org/).

^2. Although we recognize that these ethno-racial terms are contentious, we employ the terms “Black” and “Hispanic” because these most closely correspond with women's self-identifications.