Contending with Violence: Female Prostitutes' Strategic Responses on the Streets |
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Authors: | Sharon S Oselin Aaron Blasyak |
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Institution: | 1. California State University , Los Angeles , California , USA soselin@calstatela.edu;3. Syracuse University , Syracuse , New York , USA |
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Abstract: | Female street prostitutes often work within environments where violence is a prominent feature of daily life. Consequently, they experience high rates of physical and sexual assault. While scholars debate whether they are victims or empowered agents, we find neither category accurately captures their experiences with work-related violence. Drawing on interviews and informal conversations with 17 female street prostitutes, we illustrate they engage in four nuanced types of strategies in response to violence, which are shaped by the options available to them. We also find each type has an external or internal foci that holds implications for their own criminality. |
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