Uneven Impact of Covid-19 on Sex Workers in Spain
The coronavirus pandemic has had major impacts on sex workers, with notable differences in bargaining power, coercion, and health. Therefore, the aim of this research is to describe the different impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on paid sex workers. For this purpose, we conducted a comparative analy...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | Spanish |
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Universidad de Alicante
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Feminismo/s |
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| Online Access: | https://feminismos.ua.es/article/view/27440 |
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| author | Carmen Meneses-Falcón Antonio Rúa-Vieites Olaya García-Vázquez |
| author_facet | Carmen Meneses-Falcón Antonio Rúa-Vieites Olaya García-Vázquez |
| author_sort | Carmen Meneses-Falcón |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The coronavirus pandemic has had major impacts on sex workers, with notable differences in bargaining power, coercion, and health. Therefore, the aim of this research is to describe the different impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on paid sex workers. For this purpose, we conducted a comparative analysis using questionnaires collected from 605 individuals representing two segments of sex industry: one socio-economically lower (415) and the other middle-income (190). In both cases, a sociological questionnaire was used. In S1, it was conducted in person with intentional sampling, while in S2, it was conducted online using social media. Regarding the results, there were significant differences between the two groups, with the lower segment being more vulnerable and facing worse conditions: more difficulties with their documents, lower level of education, less support network, more clients, more insecurity in the place where they work (streets, industrial estates or roads), younger age of starting prostitution, more coercion or need to start (most reported reasons to start in prostitution were economic need, lack of documentation, family responsibilities and debts), less possibilities of health insurance, worse physical and mental health, more food insecurity, and lower income. The middle sector showed: more autonomy, was less impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, had been in Spain for longer, often holding a residence permit, having more protection measures, having a higher level of education, having a greater support network, having started prostitution at an older age, and were less likely to have been coerced into it. In conclusion, it is important not to homogenise all people in sex work, as there are different sectors and needs within the sex market in Spain, which require different or more targeted policies and interventions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-52e5d5208bc74bfebf32d2b6693c91fb |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1989-9998 |
| language | Spanish |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Universidad de Alicante |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Feminismo/s |
| spelling | doaj-art-52e5d5208bc74bfebf32d2b6693c91fb2025-01-21T12:32:01ZspaUniversidad de AlicanteFeminismo/s1989-99982025-01-014529532210.14198/fem.2025.45.1135653Uneven Impact of Covid-19 on Sex Workers in SpainCarmen Meneses-Falcón0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5368-4253Antonio Rúa-Vieites1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6915-2067Olaya García-Vázquez2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3625-274XUniversidad Pontificia ComillasUniversidad Pontificia ComillasUniversidad Pontificia ComillasThe coronavirus pandemic has had major impacts on sex workers, with notable differences in bargaining power, coercion, and health. Therefore, the aim of this research is to describe the different impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on paid sex workers. For this purpose, we conducted a comparative analysis using questionnaires collected from 605 individuals representing two segments of sex industry: one socio-economically lower (415) and the other middle-income (190). In both cases, a sociological questionnaire was used. In S1, it was conducted in person with intentional sampling, while in S2, it was conducted online using social media. Regarding the results, there were significant differences between the two groups, with the lower segment being more vulnerable and facing worse conditions: more difficulties with their documents, lower level of education, less support network, more clients, more insecurity in the place where they work (streets, industrial estates or roads), younger age of starting prostitution, more coercion or need to start (most reported reasons to start in prostitution were economic need, lack of documentation, family responsibilities and debts), less possibilities of health insurance, worse physical and mental health, more food insecurity, and lower income. The middle sector showed: more autonomy, was less impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, had been in Spain for longer, often holding a residence permit, having more protection measures, having a higher level of education, having a greater support network, having started prostitution at an older age, and were less likely to have been coerced into it. In conclusion, it is important not to homogenise all people in sex work, as there are different sectors and needs within the sex market in Spain, which require different or more targeted policies and interventions.https://feminismos.ua.es/article/view/27440coronavirus pandemicsex workprostitutionvulnerabilitywomenmental healthsex industrylockdown |
| spellingShingle | Carmen Meneses-Falcón Antonio Rúa-Vieites Olaya García-Vázquez Uneven Impact of Covid-19 on Sex Workers in Spain Feminismo/s coronavirus pandemic sex work prostitution vulnerability women mental health sex industry lockdown |
| title | Uneven Impact of Covid-19 on Sex Workers in Spain |
| title_full | Uneven Impact of Covid-19 on Sex Workers in Spain |
| title_fullStr | Uneven Impact of Covid-19 on Sex Workers in Spain |
| title_full_unstemmed | Uneven Impact of Covid-19 on Sex Workers in Spain |
| title_short | Uneven Impact of Covid-19 on Sex Workers in Spain |
| title_sort | uneven impact of covid 19 on sex workers in spain |
| topic | coronavirus pandemic sex work prostitution vulnerability women mental health sex industry lockdown |
| url | https://feminismos.ua.es/article/view/27440 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT carmenmenesesfalcon unevenimpactofcovid19onsexworkersinspain AT antonioruavieites unevenimpactofcovid19onsexworkersinspain AT olayagarciavazquez unevenimpactofcovid19onsexworkersinspain |