“You Just Give them what they Want and Pray they don't Kill You”: Street-Level Sex Workers' Reports of Victimization, Personal Resources, and Coping Strategies

Author: Dalla, Rochelle; Xia, Yan & Kennedy, Heather

Abstract: Using both qualitative (in-depth, personal interviews) and quantitative (self-report survey indices) techniques, data were collected from 43 women involved in streetwalking prostitution. The purpose of the investigation was to examine exposure to violence and victimization among a particularly vulnerable female population across the life span. A secondary goal was to apply stress theory as an organizing framework for examining personal resources (e.g., social support, locus of control) and coping behavior. Results from both data collection strategies are presented, and implications for intervention are described.

Keywords: coping, prostitution, violence