OBJECTIVES: We examined how unique, low-barrier, supportive housing programs for women who are functioning as unsanctioned indoor sex work environments in a Canadian urban setting influence risk negotiation with clients in sex work transactions. METHODS: We conducted 39 semistructured qualitative interviews and 6 focus groups with women who live in low-barrier, supportive housing for marginalized sex workers with substance use issues. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematically analyzed. RESULTS: Women's accounts indicated that unsanctioned indoor sex work environments promoted increased control over negotiating sex work transactions, including the capacity to refuse unwanted services, negotiate condom use, and avoid violent perpetrators. Despite the lack of formal legal and policy support for indoor sex work venues in Canada, the environmental-structural supports afforded by these unsanctioned indoor sex work environments, including surveillance cameras and support from staff or police in removing violent clients, were linked to improved police relationships and facilitated the institution of informal peer-safety mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS: This study has drawn attention to the potential role of safer indoor sex work environments as venues for public health and violence prevention interventions and has indicated the critical importance of removing the sociolegal barriers preventing the formal implementation of such programs.
OBJECTIVES: We examined how unique, low-barrier, supportive housing programs for women who are functioning as unsanctioned indoor sex work environments in a Canadian urban setting influence risk negotiation with clients in sex work transactions. METHODS: We conducted 39 semistructured qualitative interviews and 6 focus groups with women who live in low-barrier, supportive housing for marginalized sex workers with substance use issues. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematically analyzed. RESULTS:Women's accounts indicated that unsanctioned indoor sex work environments promoted increased control over negotiating sex work transactions, including the capacity to refuse unwanted services, negotiate condom use, and avoid violent perpetrators. Despite the lack of formal legal and policy support for indoor sex work venues in Canada, the environmental-structural supports afforded by these unsanctioned indoor sex work environments, including surveillance cameras and support from staff or police in removing violent clients, were linked to improved police relationships and facilitated the institution of informal peer-safety mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS: This study has drawn attention to the potential role of safer indoor sex work environments as venues for public health and violence prevention interventions and has indicated the critical importance of removing the sociolegal barriers preventing the formal implementation of such programs.
Authors: Kate Shannon; Thomas Kerr; Shari Allinott; Jill Chettiar; Jean Shoveller; Mark W Tyndall Journal: Soc Sci Med Date: 2007-12-21 Impact factor: 4.634
Authors: Elena Argento; Matthew Taylor; Jody Jollimore; Chrissy Taylor; James Jennex; Andrea Krusi; Kate Shannon Journal: Am J Mens Health Date: 2016-06-28
Authors: Angela M Robertson; Jennifer L Syvertsen; Hortensia Amaro; Gustavo Martinez; M Gudelia Rangel; Thomas L Patterson; Steffanie A Strathdee Journal: J Sex Res Date: 2013-05-09
Authors: Julie Sou; Kate Shannon; Jean Shoveller; Putu Duff; Melissa Braschel; Sabina Dobrer; Shira M Goldenberg Journal: Can J Public Health Date: 2018-12-18
Authors: Elena Argento; Steffanie A Strathdee; Shira Goldenberg; Melissa Braschel; Julio Montaner; Kate Shannon Journal: Drug Alcohol Depend Date: 2017-04-19 Impact factor: 4.492
Authors: Kathleen N Deering; Melanie Rusch; Ofer Amram; Jill Chettiar; Paul Nguyen; Cindy X Feng; Kate Shannon Journal: Int J Drug Policy Date: 2013-12-22
Authors: Kathleen N Deering; Tara Lyons; Cindy X Feng; Bohdan Nosyk; Steffanie A Strathdee; Julio S G Montaner; Kate Shannon Journal: J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Date: 2013-08-01 Impact factor: 3.731