Ian Hodgson
Country: UK
Background - Education
Research Project: Vulnerabilities facing sex workers and their children in Myanmar and Bangladesh: A Qualitative Study
Abstract
The children of sex workers (SW) are potentially exposed to a range of threats to their psychosocial and physical well-being. The aims of this study were to explore for threats faced by children of sex workers, such as abuse, exploitation, discrimination and violence, and highlight the role of current services responding to them.
Qualitative interviews and focus groups were undertaken with 31 female SW and 29 children of SW, at a number of locations in Myanmar (Yangon) and Bangladesh (Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet). Interviews were semi-structured, and on average lasted for between forty-five and sixty minutes (adults) and thirty to forty-five minutes (children, mainly in workshop settings).
Data were analysed inductively, and revealed a number of key themes providing insights into the range of threats perceived by the respondents, and information for guiding specific interventions. A number of themes emerged. For SW, these included: stigma – and especially self-stigma; fear of disclosure to their children; socio-economic challenges; dependence on other carers, and their unease about this; threat of violence from clients; and the desire to ensure their children are safe, healthy and not sex workers. For children, their concerns focused on: loneliness and being apart from their mothers; the importance of school and friendships; stigma from other children and the community.
Findings suggest that high levels of tension and anxiety in this context, with specific issues such as fear of violence, and stigma from the general populace are significant even though in this region (Asia) the number of men purchasing sex is higher than elsewhere (revealing the paradox of high levels of access, with continuing widespread disapproval). Current services, though providing some essential support services, could go further to address the psychosocial and physical needs of respondents.
Further research is required to identify specific levels of health and other risks, and mechanisms for enabling SW and their children to achieve their aspirations.