Supportive exits: A best practices report for a sex worker intervention

Abstract

Despite the prevalence of agencies serving sex workers in the United States, there are few program evaluations of supportive services. Phenomenological methods were used to explore the lived experiences of 13 sex workers receiving supportive services in a major city in the American Southwest. Results from this study suggest that clients find the trusted and supportive community within the agency especially helpful. Length of time with the agency influenced respondents’ perceptions of supportive services. Respondents, however, suggested improvements to services such as mentorship programs, opportunities for outreach participation, and services for male sex workers.

Keywords:

• Evaluation
• phenomenology
• prostitution
• sex workers
• supportive services

Notes

1. Citation for these statistics not included because it would reveal the location of the agency and, thus, compromise confidentiality.