Challenges Facing Asian Sex Workers in Western Australia: Implications for Health Promotion and Support Services

Abstract

Introduction: Asian sex workers are a significant part of the Australian sex industry. Criminal laws, racism, isolation, poor English language skills and stigma and discrimination combine to increase the vulnerability of Asian sex workers in Australia. To inform service delivery and potential legislative reform, we undertook a study of sex worker health and safety in Western Australia with a focus on Asian sex workers.Methods: This was a mixed methods study in which peer researchers played an essential role. We undertook a survey (available online and in paper form and translated into three languages other than English), semi-structured interviews with sex workers, and interviews with key advisors.Results: In our study, Asian sex workers were older, had lower levels of education, more likely to have sex work as their main source of income, work longer hours and work exclusively in a shop-front massage parlor compared to their non-Asian counterparts. The vast majority of Asian sex workers in our study said they had poor English language skills and the greatest proportion spoke Chinese languages. Sex work had a positive impact on the well-being of many respondents, and their level of psychological distress was similar to the general Australian population. Stress and “bad clients” were common negative impacts of sex work. Asian study participants were less likely than their non-Asian counterparts to smoke, undertake risky drinking or use illicit drugs. A similar proportion of Asian sex workers reported being assaulted compared to their non-Asian counterparts.Discussion/Conclusion: The major challenges facing Asian sex workers in WA seem to be stigma and discrimination, stress, social isolation, and confusion about their legal standing leading to a fear of authorities, particularly the police. Our findings support the need for enhanced targeted peer-based health promotion outreach services for Asian sex workers, increased Asian language services in sexual health clinics and decriminalization of sex work.

Declining Condom Use Among Sex Workers in Western Australia

“…However, many have observed that in the last decade the sex industry in Australia and other countries has changed with an increasing proportion of private sex workers working outside of brothels. In Australia, increased numbers of sex workers from Asian countries (particularly China, Korea and Thailand) have also been observed ( 11 ). Therefore, we considered it to be timely to investigate the health and safety of sex workers in WA ( 7 ).…”

Modes of administering sexual health and blood-borne virus surveys in migrant populations: A scoping review

“…The risk of selection bias was also reported in the studies which utilised online surveys [ 29 , 49 , 92 , 97 ]. Online surveys have the potential to exclude respondents who lack internet access or technological proficiency, or who are wary of disclosing sensitive information online.…”

“…migrants to New Jersey were less likely to have residential telephones or may have "rapid turnover of telephone numbers" due to high residential mobility. The risk of selection bias was also reported in the studies which utilised online surveys [29,49,92,97]. Online surveys have the potential to exclude respondents who lack internet access or technological proficiency, or who are wary of disclosing sensitive information online.…”

“…Online surveys have the potential to exclude respondents who lack internet access or technological proficiency, or who are wary of disclosing sensitive information online. Selvey, Lobo, et al [92] found that only a minority of Asian sex workers in Australia completed online versions of a survey, with most preferring pen-and-paper (although the difference may have been attributable to the recruitment methods associated with each). A study of HIV testing among African migrants living in the UK found that none of the 169 respondents completed an online follow-up survey, although 60 subsequently agreed to participate in a telephone interview; this led the authors to conclude that online data collection "was not feasible in this population group" [49].…”

“…However, the included studies in this scoping review broach some important considerations about the appropriateness of online SHBBV surveys in migrant settings. For instance, Selvey, Lobo et al [92] and Evans, Suggs et al [49] had limited success in using online surveys to obtain data from Asian Australian sex workers and African migrants living in the UK respectively. By contrast, Elford et al [46,47] considered SHBBV online surveys a useful tool.…”