Prostitution is a behavior that involves the exchange of sexual services for economic compensation in the form of drugs, money or needed resources (e.g. housing or food). Street-level prostitution is engaged in by women who are in the most dire circumstances, and with the greatest risk being to their own health and to the health of others. Women engaged in street prostitution are linked to crime, face dangers of assault or arrest, are associated with drug use and are often at risk for illnesses such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), sexually transmitted disease (STD), and Hepatitis C (HCV) (Weeks, Grier, Romero-Daza, Puglisi-Vasquez, and Singer, 1998).
This session will focus on services offered by the YANA Project (You Are Never Alone) of Baltimore City. The project provides comprehensive services to women involved in street prostitution using compassionate outreach and integrated care in order to meet the complex needs of this vulnerable population. Motivation enhancement therapy and harm reduction strategies provide the foundation for the interventions of the project. Outcome evaluation of the interventions provided by YANA in terms of decreasing high-risks behaviors will be presented. The challenges and rewards of providing services to this vulnerable population will also be discussed, including the contextual factors such stigma, ridicule, and limited life opportunities experienced by the women served.
Learning Objectives: At the end of this session, participants will be able to: 1. Identify reasons why women engage in street prostitution. 2. Identify risks prostituted women are exposed to. 3. Recognize the barriers to care for this population. 4. Discuss appropriate and effective interventions to assist and/or treat women engaged in prostitution. 5. Identify supports that can empower women to move out of prostitution and into healthier lifestyles.
Keywords: Vulnerable Populations, Women
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Unversity of Maryland & YANA Project, Baltimore
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Handout (.doc format, 31.0 kb)