Dataset Information

Sex workers' experiences and occupational conditions post-implementation of end-demand criminalization in Metro Vancouver, Canada.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

In 2014, Canada introduced end-demand criminalization (the Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act (PCEPA)), criminalizing purchase of sexual services while leaving the sale of sex legal. We assessed factors correlated with self-reported changes in working conditions post-PCEPA among sex workers (SWs) in Metro Vancouver.

Methods

Post-PCEPA data for one year were drawn from a community-based cohort of SWs. We analyzed self-reported changes in working conditions among 299 participants who worked prior to PCEPA and were asked about working conditions post-PCEPA. Multivariate GEE analysis evaluated factors correlated with negative changes post-PCEPA, including reduced capacity to screen clients and reduced access to workspaces/clients.

Results

Most (72.2%) experienced no change in working conditions, and 26.4% reported negative changes (e.g., reduced ability to screen clients or reduced access to workspaces/clients). Reporting negative changes was correlated with being an im/migrant to Canada (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.79, 95% CI 1.59-4.92) and recent physical workplace violence (AOR 4.01, 95% CI 1.12-14.40). In sub-analysis, physical/sexual workplace violence (AOR 3.77, 95% CI 1.17-12.16) and living in the suburbs of Richmond/Burnaby (AOR 2.81, 95% CI 1.15-6.84) correlated with reduced screening capacity; incarceration (AOR 2.98, 95% CI 1.04-8.57) and being an im/migrant (AOR 2.39, 95% CI 1.14-4.99) correlated with reduced access to workspaces/clients.

Conclusions

Most SWs reported no change in working conditions and one quarter reported negative changes, suggesting that PCEPA may be failing to advance sex workers' safety. Im/migrants, women experiencing workplace violence, and those facing criminalization were most likely to report negative impacts. Decriminalization of all aspects of sex work is needed to support well-being, health, and safety.

SUBMITTER: Machat S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6825525 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Sex workers' experiences and occupational conditions post-implementation of end-demand criminalization in Metro Vancouver, Canada.

Machat Sylvia S Shannon Kate K Braschel Melissa M Moreheart Sarah S Goldenberg Shira M SM

Canadian journal of public health = Revue canadienne de sante publique 20190610 5

<h4>Objectives</h4>In 2014, Canada introduced end-demand criminalization (the Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act (PCEPA)), criminalizing purchase of sexual services while leaving the sale of sex legal. We assessed factors correlated with self-reported changes in working conditions post-PCEPA among sex workers (SWs) in Metro Vancouver.<h4>Methods</h4>Post-PCEPA data for one year were drawn from a community-based cohort of SWs. We analyzed self-reported changes in working conditio ...[more]

PMID: 31183630

Similar Datasets

Project description:ObjectivesIn 2014, Canada implemented end-demand sex work legislation that criminalises clients and third parties (eg, managers, security personnel, etc) involved in sex work. The focus of this analysis is to explore how the criminalisation of clients shapes the occupational health and safety of sex workers.DesignAs part of a longstanding community-based study (An Evaluation of Sex Workers' Health Access), this analysis draws on 47 in-depth qualitative interviews with indoor sex workers and third parties. Informed by an intersectional lens and guided by a structural determinants of health framework, this work seeks to characterise the impact of client criminalisation in shaping the occupational health and safety of indoor sex workers.SettingIndoor sex work venues (eg, massage parlour, in-call, brothel, etc) operating in Metro Vancouver, Canada.Participants47 predominately racialised sex workers and third parties working in indoor environments between 2017 and 2018.ResultsWhile participants highlighted that the majority of their client interactions were positive, their narratives emphasised how end-demand criminalisation impeded their occupational safety. The criminalisation of clients was linked to reduced ability to negotiate the terms of sexual transactions, including type of service, price and sexual health. Client preference for cash payments to maintain anonymity led to increased risk of robbery and assault due to knowledge of high cash flow in sex work venues and a reluctance to seek police protection. Workers also noted that client fear of being prosecuted or 'outed' by police enhanced feelings of shame, which was linked to increased aggression by clients.ConclusionPolicies and laws that criminalise clients are incompatible with efforts to uphold the occupational health and safety and human rights of sex workers. The decriminalisation of sex work is urgently needed in order to support the well-being and human rights of all those involved in the Canadian sex industry.

Project description:BackgroundNutrition surveys suggest that <10% of Canadian adults have inadequate riboflavin intakes. However, biochemical riboflavin deficiency [erythrocyte glutathione reductase activity coefficient (EGRac) ≥1.40] has been reported in 41% of young adult women living in Metro Vancouver. Canadian Chinese ethnicity comprise >25% of Vancouver's population and are postulated to have poorer riboflavin status than those of European ethnicity because they could be less likely to consume dairy products and fortified wheat.ObjectivesThe objectives of this study were to determine dietary riboflavin intake and food sources, and to assess the association between riboflavin intake and status in young women of European (n = 107) and Chinese (n = 91) ethnicities living in Metro Vancouver, Canada.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study conducted in women (aged 19-45 y). Women were healthy, not pregnant or breastfeeding, of European or Chinese ethnicities, and not taking riboflavin-containing supplements for the past 4 mo. Dietary riboflavin intake was assessed using the past-year Diet History Questionnaire II, and riboflavin status (EGRac) was measured in fasting venous blood samples.ResultsOnly 7% of participants had dietary riboflavin intakes below the Estimated Average Requirement (0.9 mg/d), but 40% of women had biochemical riboflavin deficiency (EGRac ≥1.40). Although more Canadian women of European ethnicity than Chinese ethnicity had biochemical riboflavin deficiency (46% and 34%; P < 0.001), median dietary riboflavin intake did not differ (1.73 and 1.82 mg/d; P = 0.587). Dairy products and vegetables contributed the most to riboflavin intake. Energy-adjusted dietary riboflavin intake was inversely associated with EGRac (B = -0.04, 95% CI: -0.07, -0.01). However, after further adjustment the relation was not significant.ConclusionsOverall, women of reproductive age living in Metro Vancouver, Canada, had a low prevalence of inadequate dietary riboflavin intake despite the high prevalence of apparent biochemical riboflavin deficiency.

Project description:BackgroundWhile scarce, literature suggests that women at the intersection of HIV status and gender and/or sexual minority identities experience heightened social and health disparities within health care systems.ObjectivesThis study examines the association between sexual and/or gender minority identities and: (1) experiences of poor treatment by health professionals and (2) being unable to access health services among a cohort of women living with HIV in Metro Vancouver, Canada.DesignData were drawn from a longitudinal community-based cohort of women living with HIV (Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Women's Longitudinal Needs Assessment).MethodsWe examined associations between sexual and/or gender minority identities and the two outcomes. We drew on explanatory variables to measure sexual minority and gender minority identities independently and a combined variable measuring sexual and/or gender minority identities. The associations between each of these three variables and each outcome were analysed using bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models with generalized estimating equations for repeated measures over time. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals are reported.ResultsThe study sample included 1460 observations on 315 participants over 4.5 years (September 2014 to February 2019). Overall, 125 (39.7%) reported poor treatment by health professionals and 102 (32.4%) reported being unable to access health care services when needed at least once over the study period. A total of 110 (34.9%) of participants reported sexual and/or gender minority identities, 106 (33.7%) reporting sexual minority identities, with 29 (9.2%) reporting gender minority identities. In multivariable analysis, adjusting for confounders, sexual minority identities, and combined sexual and/or gender minority identities were significantly associated with increased odds of experiencing poor treatment by health professionals (sexual minority adjusted odds ratio = 1.39 (0.94-2.05); sexual and/or gender minority adjusted odds ratio = 1.48 (1.00-2.18)) and being unable to access health services (sexual minority adjusted odds ratio = 1.89 (1.20-2.97); sexual and/or gender minority adjusted odds ratio = 1.91 (1.23-2.98)). In multivariable analysis, gender minority identities were not significantly associated with increased odds of experiencing poor treatment by health professionals (gender minority adjusted odds ratio = 1.38; 95% CI = 0.76-2.52) and being unable to access health services (gender minority adjusted odds ratio = 1.72; 95% CI = 0.89-3.31) possibly due to low sample size among women with gender minority identities.ConclusionOur findings suggest the need for access to inclusive, affirming, trauma-informed health care services tailored specifically for and by women living with HIV with sexual and/or gender minority identities.

Project description:BackgroundPerson-centered care is needed to effectively support workers with chronic health conditions. Person-centered care aims to provide care tailored to an individual person's preferences, needs and values. To achieve this, a more active, supportive, and coaching role of occupational and insurance physicians is required. In previous research, two training programs and an e-learning training with accompanying tools that can be used in the context of person-centered occupational health care were developed to contribute to this changing role. The aim was to investigate the feasibility of the developed training programs and e-learning training to enhance the active, supportive, and coaching role of occupational and insurance physicians needed for person-centered occupational health care. Information about this is important to facilitate implementation of the tools and training into educational structures and occupational health practice.MethodsA qualitative study was conducted, with N = 29 semi-structured interviews with occupational physicians, insurance physicians, and representatives from occupational educational institutes. The aim was to elicit feasibility factors concerning the implementation, practicality and integration with regard to embedding the training programs and e-learning training in educational structures and the use of the tools and acquired knowledge and skills in occupational health care practice after following the trainings and e-learning training. Deductive analysis was conducted based on pre-selected focus areas for a feasibility study.ResultsFrom an educational perspective, adapting the face-to-face training programs to online versions, good coordination with educational managers and train-the-trainer approaches were mentioned as facilitating factors for successful implementation. Participants underlined the importance of aligning the occupational physicians' and insurance physicians' competences with the educational content and attention for the costs concerning the facilitation of the trainings and e-learning training. From the professional perspective, factors concerning the content of the training and e-learning training, the use of actual cases from practice, as well as follow-up training sessions were reported. Professionals expressed good fit of the acquired skills into their consultation hour in practice.ConclusionThe developed training programs, e-learning training and accompanying tools were perceived feasible in terms of implementation, practicality, and integration by occupational physicians, insurance physicians and educational institutes.

Dataset Information

Sex workers' experiences and occupational conditions post-implementation of end-demand criminalization in Metro Vancouver, Canada.

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Sex workers' experiences and occupational conditions post-implementation of end-demand criminalization in Metro Vancouver, Canada.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets