A border context of violence: Mexican female sex workers on the U.S.-Mexico border

Violence Against Women. 2014 Dec;20(12):1506-31. doi: 10.1177/1077801214557955. Epub 2014 Nov 18.

Abstract

Female sex workers (FSW) represent a population confronted with an array of intersecting social problems. We explore the case of FSW in Nuevo Laredo and Ciudad Juarez to understand the everyday violence associated with sex work within the unique context of Mexico. Life history interviews were conducted with 109 FSW revealing violent acts by clients and other sex industry employees (bar owners, police, other FSW). The risk of violence by different types of persons associated with the sex work industry varied by venue and geographic area. Moreover, the violence was shaped by the social structural constraints of dominant gender ideologies.

Keywords: Mexico; female sex workers; violent victimization.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Battered Women / statistics & numerical data*
  • Crime Victims* / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Crime Victims* / psychology
  • Crime Victims* / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mexico
  • Needs Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Work / ethnology
  • Sex Work / statistics & numerical data
  • Sex Workers* / psychology
  • Sex Workers* / statistics & numerical data
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / epidemiology
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / prevention & control
  • Social Control, Formal / methods
  • Social Problems* / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Social Problems* / prevention & control
  • Social Problems* / statistics & numerical data
  • United States
  • Violence* / prevention & control
  • Violence* / statistics & numerical data
  • Women's Health