Violence, Risk, and Survival Strategies of Street Prostitution

Author: Williamson, Celia & Folaron, Gail

Abstract: The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore the risks and responses of street prostitutes to customer-related violence. Thirteen female street prostitutes, aged 18 to 40, were recruited from a moderate-size, midwestern city in the United States. Eight were non-Hispanic White and five were African American. Respondents participated in individual interviews to identify perceptions of work-related violence, personal risk, and self-protective survival strategies. The constant comparative method was used to analyze data.

Keywords: prostitution, sex industry, sex work, violence, qualitative