Meeting female street sex workers’ physical and mental healthcare needs

Elliott, Nalishebo

Nalishebo Elliott is head of patient experience and quality outcomes, The London Clinic, London.

This article has been double-blind peer reviewed

For more articles on women's health, go to nursingtimes.net/women

Nursing Times 116(1):p 35-39, January 2020.

Abstract

It is estimated there are 60,000–80,000 sex workers in the UK, the majority of whom are women. Female street sex workers have poor physical and mental health. They are a socially disadvantaged group, which can prevent them from accessing the care they need. Interviews with 10 female street sex workers showed that childhood trauma, often relating to sexual abuse and abandonment, left them vulnerable to becoming trapped in a cycle of street sex work and drug dependency, causing them poor mental health throughout their life. Nurses need to understand what forces women into street sex work to better meet the health needs of this disadvantaged group.

Citation Elliott N (2020) Meeting female street sex workers’ physical and mental healthcare needs. Nursing Times; 116: 1, 35–39.

In this article…

Interviews with female street sex workers about their personal histories
The role of childhood and adult trauma in creating long-term health problems
How health professionals can better meet the needs of this disadvantaged group