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Human rights violations against sex workers: burden and effect on HIV.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Decker, MR; Crago, A-L; Chu, SKH; Sherman, SG; Seshu, MS; Buthelezi, K; Dhaliwal, M; Beyrer, C
Published in: Lancet
January 10, 2015

We reviewed evidence from more than 800 studies and reports on the burden and HIV implications of human rights violations against sex workers. Published research documents widespread abuses of human rights perpetrated by both state and non-state actors. Such violations directly and indirectly increase HIV susceptibility, and undermine effective HIV-prevention and intervention efforts. Violations include homicide; physical and sexual violence, from law enforcement, clients, and intimate partners; unlawful arrest and detention; discrimination in accessing health services; and forced HIV testing. Abuses occur across all policy regimes, although most profoundly where sex work is criminalised through punitive law. Protection of sex workers is essential to respect, protect, and meet their human rights, and to improve their health and wellbeing. Research findings affirm the value of rights-based HIV responses for sex workers, and underscore the obligation of states to uphold the rights of this marginalised population.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

Lancet

DOI

EISSN

1474-547X

Publication Date

January 10, 2015

Volume

385

Issue

9963

Start / End Page

186 / 199

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Sex Workers
  • Humans
  • Human Rights Abuses
  • Human Rights
  • Health Promotion
  • HIV Infections
  • General & Internal Medicine
  • Cost of Illness
  • 42 Health sciences
  • 32 Biomedical and clinical sciences
 

Citation

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Decker, M. R., Crago, A.-L., Chu, S. K. H., Sherman, S. G., Seshu, M. S., Buthelezi, K., … Beyrer, C. (2015). Human rights violations against sex workers: burden and effect on HIV. Lancet, 385(9963), 186–199. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(14)60800-X
Decker, Michele R., Anna-Louise Crago, Sandra K. H. Chu, Susan G. Sherman, Meena S. Seshu, Kholi Buthelezi, Mandeep Dhaliwal, and Chris Beyrer. “Human rights violations against sex workers: burden and effect on HIV.Lancet 385, no. 9963 (January 10, 2015): 186–99. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(14)60800-X.
Decker MR, Crago A-L, Chu SKH, Sherman SG, Seshu MS, Buthelezi K, et al. Human rights violations against sex workers: burden and effect on HIV. Lancet. 2015 Jan 10;385(9963):186–99.
Decker, Michele R., et al. “Human rights violations against sex workers: burden and effect on HIV.Lancet, vol. 385, no. 9963, Jan. 2015, pp. 186–99. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(14)60800-X.
Decker MR, Crago A-L, Chu SKH, Sherman SG, Seshu MS, Buthelezi K, Dhaliwal M, Beyrer C. Human rights violations against sex workers: burden and effect on HIV. Lancet. 2015 Jan 10;385(9963):186–199.
Journal cover image

Published In

Lancet

DOI

EISSN

1474-547X

Publication Date

January 10, 2015

Volume

385

Issue

9963

Start / End Page

186 / 199

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Sex Workers
  • Humans
  • Human Rights Abuses
  • Human Rights
  • Health Promotion
  • HIV Infections
  • General & Internal Medicine
  • Cost of Illness
  • 42 Health sciences
  • 32 Biomedical and clinical sciences