Experience of violence among street prostitutes: a qualitative study in Shiraz, Iran

Female Sex workers (FSWs) are a marginalized group. Although some studies have shown various types of violence against sex workers, it is a subject which needs more in-depth knowledge. This is a conventional content study conducted on 18 street sex workers in Shiraz, Iran. The present study observed that sex workers had extensive experience in five forms of violence: physical, barbaric, psychological, sexual, deception and robbery. Moreover, violence was deep-rooted in their previous experiences prior to becoming a prostitute, leading to the formation of yet another type of violence, called hidden slavery with male or female pimps. To improve the general health of this group, it is recommended that they be supported by social institutions and be provided with psychological consultations.