title: Confronting structural violence in sex work: lessons from a community-led HIV prevention project in Mysore, India.
abstract: Evidence from community-led HIV prevention projects suggests that structural interventions may result in reduced rates of HIV and STIs. The complex relationship between empowerment and confronting stigma, discrimination and physical abuse necessitates further investigation into the impact that such interventions have on the personal risks for sex workers. This article aims to describe lived experiences of members from a sex worker's collective in Mysore, India and how they have confronted structural violence. The narratives highlight experiences of violence and the development and implementation of strategies that have altered the social, physical, and emotional environment for sex workers. Building an enabling environment was key to reducing personal risks inherent to sex work, emphasizing the importance of community-led structural interventions for sex workers in India.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada. emargento@gmail.com
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Argento
authors.forename: Sushena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Reza-Paul
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lorway
authors.forename: Jinendra
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jain
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bhagya
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fathima
authors.forename: S V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Sreeram
authors.forename: Rahman Syed
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Hafeezur
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: O'Neil
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D016495:Police; D011209:Power, Psychological; D011477:Sex Work / Q000523:psychology*; D012931:Social Environment; D012944:Social Support; D014754:Violence / Q000517:prevention & control*