1. A Study of Structural Violence in the Sex Industry – the perspective from workers Ya-Li Hung, Senior Specialist R&D Department, Garden of Hope Foundation (GOH) 2012/7/11

2. Research Background GOH has 24 years of experience in the prevention and protection of child prostitution. Child prostitution is a challenge of the social structure not a problem of individuals or families. Only to provide individual and family services have been not enough to solve the problem.

3. Qualitative Research Design Method: Focus Group Duration: April to October, 2011 Participants: – Total participants: 16 people – Average years of service: 7.9 years – Including: 1.Social workers, life counselors, and staff who have worked with prostituted children and youth (from GOH) 2.Workers who provide services for adult sex workers (from other organizations)

4. Prostituted Girls Labor Market Family Education HealthFinance Personal Relationship Findings

5. Complicated issues in family of origin – physical or mental abuse, incest, poverty, complicated and contradictory family relationships Excluded by the formal school system – drop out, negative interpersonal relationships, under-achieve or no interest in schoolwork Health Risks & Harm – sexually transmitted diseases(STDs), unexpected pregnancy, substance abuse (drugs, alcohols), low self- esteem, self-injury, suicide Family, Education & Health

6. Finance, Personal relationship & Labor Market Financial hardship & Traps － Become the bread-winner in family, costs needed to live independently, risk of usury or debt Dilemma of Love, Marriage and a Family of Her Own － Financially motivated relationships, difficulties to get married, marriage breakdown Difficulties in the Labor Market － Lack of human capital, prostitution is the only option

7. Case Story The 17-year-old girl Poor family Running away from home Dropped out of school No money to start prostitution Unexpected pregnancy Need more money to take care of children Forced to stay in the sex industry

8. Sex Industry is a Structure Violence Young girls who engage in prostitution, do not do it on their own initiative or voluntarily. Numerous structural factors effect them. They are victims of Structure Violence.

9. Recommendations Focus on the structure of oppression as well as individuals/families. Recognize the structure of oppression, to provide more suitable intervention plans Combine casework service with advocacy The government should try to reform the social structures that oppress girls

10. Reflections and Suggestions Personal factors still exist, but the social structural factors should still be taken seriously. The influence of the porn industry on young girls could be a follow-up research theme. Restrictions on the sex industry can reduce its ability to entrap and oppress girls.

11. Thanks for listening!