SRA-E Lisbon 2017

Professionals working on the streets in an informal situation face specific risks. It is estimated that 40% of the Brazilian population work informally, which implies few risk management through public policies. The present study investigated the risks reported by sex workers in the streets of a Brazilian capital. This group of workers historically suffers from violence, social stigmas and little recognition of their work as a profession. In turn, the literature has traditionally focused on health aspects. Despite its importance, these data only partially aid risk management for this group. Therefore, it is important to measure the risks reported by the sex workers as well as the strategies for its management. To achieve these objectives, structured interviews were conducted with 43 female sex workers with the mean age of 28.56 (SD = 8.67) years old and the mean of 9.52 (SD = 8.64) years of work. They work in the street (40%), in houses for prostitution (40%) and in both places (20%). The interview questionnaire addressed the perceived risks related to safety and violence in workplace measured by a Likert 5-point (never-ever) scale, information about strategies for dealing with work risks and demographic data. In general, sex workers never or almost never feel safe in their workplace (m = 1.82; SD = 1.14). Working in houses of prostitution (m = 3.66; SD = 1.35) is reported safer than working on the street (m = 1.95; SD = 1.22) and the difference was statistically significant (t = -6,254; p = 0.00). The frequency of psychological assaults on the street is higher (m = 2.35; SD = 1.53) than in the houses of prostitution (m = 1.69; SD = 1.22) in the same way as the reported frequency of physical aggressions in the street appears to be higher (m = 2.00; SD = 1.23) than in the houses of prostitution (m = 1.83; SD = 1.36) but the difference was not statistically significant. The violence that is practice primarily by clients (40%) and by passers-by (40%) is managed by strategies divided into anticipatory strategy (steel, work close to police, having an intimidating posture) and situation strategy (talking, not offering resistance, praying). It can be concluded that it is a profession with a high risk of violence. It is discussed how difficult is to have access to this population and what strategies should be developed to decrease the violence.