This article dispels the assumption that indoor prostitution activities in places such as brothels and massage parlors are safer than those conducted on the streets. The research argues against the depiction of indoor activities as harmless, and consensual. Surveys confirmed the shocking real risks of violence with 82% of all respondents reported being physically assaulted and 68% had been raped. Furthermore women indoors were frequently victims of sexual violence and being more at risk of being threatened with weapons. The article concludes by highlighting the need to integrate violence against women research into prostitution research, as this may go a long way toward understanding motivation and answering the question of why men batter.
Abstract
This study measured the prevalence of violence that customers, managers, pimps, and intimate partners perpetrated against 222 women in indoor and outdoor prostitution venues in Chicago, Illinois. Violence occurred in all of the prostitution activities but differed in frequency and severity. Women outdoors generally reported higher levels of physical violence, but. These findings indicate that women across prostitution venues are often victims of violence, arguing against the depiction of indoor sex trade activities as harmless, consensual entertainment.
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Article details:
Title: Violence in indoor and outdoor prostitution venues
Authors: Jody Raphael and Deborah L. Shapiro
From: Violence Against Women February 2004 vol. 10 no. 2 126-139
DOI: 10.1177/1077801203260529
