Mobility, Sex Work Entry and HIV Risk Along the Mexico-U.S. Border

Overview

Journal Int Migr

Date 2014 Oct 28

PMID 25346548

Citations 25

Authors

Sm Goldenberg

Js Silverman

D Engstrom

I Bojorquez-Chapela

Sa Strathdee

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Women comprise an increasing proportion of migrants. Many voluntarily migrate for sex work or practice survival sex, while others may be trafficked for sexual exploitation. To investigate how the context of mobility shapes sex work entry and HIV risk, we conducted in-depth interviews with formerly trafficked women currently engaged in sex work (n=31) in Tijuana, Mexico and their service providers (n=7) in Tijuana and San Diego, USA from 2010-2011. Women's experiences of illustrate that circumstances driving and resulting from migration shape vulnerability to sex trafficking, voluntary sex work entry, and HIV risk. Findings suggest an urgent need for public health and immigration policies that provide integrated support for deported and/or recently arrived female migrants. Policies to prevent sex trafficking and assist trafficked females must also consider the varying levels of personal agency involved in migration and sex work entry.

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