The web of stigmas: impact of different forms of stigma on occupational risks in sex work

An article by Iztok Šori and Leja Markelj, The Web of Stigmas: A Systematic Literature Review of the Impact of Different Types of Stigma on Occupational Risks in Sex Work, has been published in the International Journal of Sexual Health. The authors examine how different forms of stigma affect the working conditions and private lives of sex workers. Their analysis is based on a systematic review of 90 empirical studies conducted globally.

The article demonstrates that stigma is not a uniform phenomenon but a complex system of discrimination in which different forms of stigma intersect and reinforce one another. Experienced, anticipated, and internalized stigma have the most pronounced consequences, making it more difficult for sex workers to access healthcare, social services, and other forms of support, while also negatively affecting their private lives. Occupational risks where different forms of stigma intersect most intensely include increased vulnerability to sexually transmitted infections, mental distress, and barriers to accessing services.

The authors find that the consequences of stigmatization occur across all legal frameworks regulating sex work, although risks are more pronounced in contexts of criminalization and other repressive regulatory approaches. In conclusion, they emphasize the need for measures to reduce stigmatization, improve access to institutional support, and involve sex workers in shaping policies that affect their working conditions.