Help-Seeking Behavior in Female Sex Worker Survivors of Violence in La Romana, Dominican Republic
Name: Kelsey Badger
School: Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Class of 2023
Mentor: Silvia Cunto-Amesty, MD, MPH, MSEd, Pamela Baez Caraballo, MD, MSc
Abstract
The prevalence of violence against female sex workers is higher than the general population. Having experienced violence has long-term adverse effects on women’s health outcomes. In the Dominican Republic (DR) no research has been done on help-seeking behavior in female sex workers (FSWs). This study aimed to identify factors associated with help-seeking behavior in FSWs in La Romana, Dominican Republic, who have experienced violence. A pilot cross-sectional survey of participants identifying as female, aged 18 or older, and having exchanged a sexual act for money in the past year was conducted at Clínica de Familia La Romana (CFLR) in DR. The survey was completed by 45 women to date. The mean age was 25. Almost half (47%) were Venezuelan-born and 53% Dominican-born. One third of the sample (36%) had obtained a college degree. About 58% of respondents had experienced violence and of those, 69% wanted a referral to a psychologist while 42% indicated interest in a support group. FSWs who had completed high school were 47% less likely to want a referral than those who had not. FSWs who had experienced any violence in the last 60 days were 26% more likely to want a referral than those who had not. Preliminary results from this study suggest factors related to help-seeking among FSW recipients of violence. This study may shed more light on this issue once it is completed. More studies need to be done to understand FSWs and help-seeking behaviors.