A Content Analysis of Health and Safety Communications Among Internet-Based Sex Work Advertisements: Important Information for Public Health

Abstract

BackgroundThe capacity to advertise via the Internet continues to contribute to the shifting dynamics in adult commercial sex work. eHealth interventions have shown promise to promote Internet-based sex workers’ health and safety internationally, yet minimal attention has been paid in Canada to developing such interventions. Understanding the information communicated in Internet-based sex work advertisements is a critical step in knowledge development to inform such interventions.ObjectiveThe purpose of this content analysis was to increase our understanding of the health and safety information within the Internet advertisements among women, men, and transgender sex workers and to describe how this information may be utilized to inform eHealth service development for this population.MethodsA total of 75 Internet-based sex worker advertisements (45 women, 24 men, and 6 transgender persons) were purposefully selected from 226 advertisements collected as part of a larger study in Western Canada. Content analysis was employed to guide data extraction about demographic characteristics, sexual services provided, service restrictions, health practices and concerns, safety and security, and business practices. Frequencies for each variable were calculated and further classified by gender. Thematic analysis was then undertaken to situate the communications within the social and commercialized contexts of the sex industry.ResultsFour communications themes were identified: (1) demographic characteristics; (2) sexual services; (3) health; and (4) safety and security. White was the most common ethnicity (46/75, 61%) of advertisements. It was found that 20-29 years of age accounted for 32 of the 51 advertisements that provided age. Escort, the only legal business title, was the most common role title used (48/75, 64%). In total, 85% (64/75) of advertisements detailed lists of sexual services provided and 41% (31/75) of advertisements noted never offering uncovered services (ie, no condom). Gender and the type of Web-based platform mattered for information communicated. It was found that 35 of the 45 women’s advertisements were situated in personal websites and hosted details about nonsexual aspects of an appointment. Men and transworkers used Internet classified advertisement platforms with predetermined categories. Communications about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) occurred in only 16% (12/75) of advertisements with men accounting for 7. Women’s advertisements accounted for 26 of the 37 advertisements noting safety restrictions. Zero men or transpersons restricted alcohol or drug use. In total, 75% (56/75) of advertisements offered out-call services and the average minimal hourly rate ranged from Can $140/h to Can $200/h.ConclusionsThe study findings contribute to understandings about the diverse platforms used in commercial sex advertisements, and how sex workers frame information for potential clients. This information affords health care providers and policy makers insights to how they might assist with promoting ...

Strategies and Challenges in Preventing Violence Against Canadian Indoor Sex Workers

“…Although the types of violence, such as robbery and physical and sexual assault, are similar to the violence reported by sex workers irrespective of work setting, 1,3,4,13,14 these participants experienced substantial isolation that, to date, has not been fully examined as influential for workplace violence. Isolation rendered them susceptible to potential predators posing as clients, which, when coupled with their need to maintain privacy and confidentiality, left them vulnerable to exploitive landlords and neighbors.…”

“…Clients are criminalized, 28 yet there is ample evidence that criminalization increases workers' isolation, which further exacerbates their risk of violence and has a documented effect of decreasing their engagement with health and social services. 6,13,30,31 The lack of guidelines also prevents conditions from being placed on client behaviors concerning substance use, condom practices, and terms of payment. 10,29 Sex workers are left to rely on intuition and potentially dangerous practices, unlike other sectors of labor afforded protections through occupational health and safety regulations.…”

“…10 The poverty, housing instability, and limited economic power of some sex workers further exacerbate their risk. [11][12][13] In Canada and other industrialized nations, much of what is known about workplace violence concerns sex workers situated within street-based marketplaces who experience severe poverty, mental illness, and addictions. 3,4,13,14 However, it is estimated that 80% of sex workers work in indoor settings, [15][16][17] with many working independently via the Internet.…”

“…[11][12][13] In Canada and other industrialized nations, much of what is known about workplace violence concerns sex workers situated within street-based marketplaces who experience severe poverty, mental illness, and addictions. 3,4,13,14 However, it is estimated that 80% of sex workers work in indoor settings, [15][16][17] with many working independently via the Internet. [18][19][20] Emerging research estimates that the prevalence of violence among indoor workers is between 25% and 66%.…”

Anuncios de mujeres brasileñas en la industria transnacional del sexo en un sitio web español

“…Existen pocos estudios que hayan contribuido a una base de conocimiento en evolución sobre el contenido de los anuncios de trabajo sexual en Internet (Parsons, Bimbi & Perry, 2001;Pruitt, 2005;Castle & Lee, 2008;Langanke & Ross, 2009; Lee-Gonyea, Castle & Gonyea, 2009;Mimiaga et al, 2009;Logan, 2010;Adriaenssens & Hendrickx, 2012;Blackwell & Dziegielewski, 2013;Manning & Bungay, 2017;Kille et al, 2017). La investigación relacionada se centró en estrategias de marketing, información acerca de servicios sexuales y preocupaciones de privacidad sobre las identidades de las trabajadoras sexuales.…”