Trafficking? Exploring the relevance of the notion of human trafficking to describe the lived experience of sex workers in Cape Town, South Africa

Abstract

This article reports on the findings of a study of the sex work industry in Cape Town that was undertaken by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) and the Sex Worker Education and Advocacy Taskforce (SWEAT) between 2006 and 2008. The study employed qualitative and quantitative methods to gather data about inter alia, the size of the sex work industry in Cape Town, working conditions in the industry, recruitment practices, factors that resulted in women working in the industry, and the extent of human trafficking in the industry. This article reports on the methods used and the findings. It concludes by arguing that the concept of trafficking is not useful as it does not reflect the lived experience of the majority of sex workers, and does not take the state or society any closer to dealing with exploitation and abuse that occurs in the industry.

Prevalence and patterns of victimization and polyvictimization among female sex workers in Soweto, a South African township: a cross-sectional, respondent-driven sampling study

“…A study of FSWs in Soweto, South Africa, showed that 53.8 and 55.6% had experienced intimate partner and non-intimate partner sexual violence in their lifetime (respectively). In Johannesburg, 20% of FSWs reported experiencing sexual violence, while 54% reported any physical violence in the past year [1,6]. Globally, violence is associated with inconsistent condom usage, sexually transmitted infection (STI) and HIV acquisition, undermining economic capital, and it has a widespread social impact [7–11].…”

“…These factors then result in perceived transgressions being punished through violence. SWs are not considered to have the right to give consent or to choose who they sell sex to, by clients, managers, police, and healthcare officials alike [6]. …”

“…In Cape Town 12% of FSWs reported ever having been raped and 47% ever threatened with violence by the police. Evidence suggests that SWs who attempt to report sexual violence to policing officials are frequently re-victimized by the police [6]. A 2011 qualitative study found that sexual violence perpetrated by police and clients was common [31].…”

“…A 2011 qualitative study found that sexual violence perpetrated by police and clients was common [31]. Research has also found that 37% of street-based SWs and 20% of brothel-based SWs had experienced some form of client violence in their lifetime [6]. The vulnerability of SWs to violence is complex and requires more knowledge in developing an understanding of the patterns and prevalence of violence.…”

Selling Sex, Mothering and ‘Keeping Well’ in the City: Reflecting on the Everyday Experiences of Cross-Border Migrant Women Who Sell Sex in Johannesburg

“…Many of these issues have been documented in a small but growing body of research on sex work in South Africa (see, for example, Walker and Oliviera 2015;Richter et al 2012;Gould 2011;Vearey et al 2011;Gould and Fick 2008;Stadler and Delany 2006). These in turn fit with a larger global picture of the vulnerabilities and risks faced by women selling sex, particularly in criminalised contexts (see, for example, Global Commission on HIV and the Law 2012 ;Weitzer 2010;Agustín 2007;Kempadoo 2005;Sanders 2005;Busza 2004).…”