Health Services and Needs in Prostitution

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This project will study how municipal, governmental and civil society institutions can best meet the health and social needs of persons involved in prostitution. Prostitution is associated with high morbidity and mortality, stigmatisation and marginalizat ion. A current challenge in Norway is a lack of continuity in care between health providers within prostitution social outreach and municipal health services (general practitioners, emergency rooms), as well as in some cases, specialist health care. The project will analyse how services for this group are organised today, how the diverse needs in this group can be met and user perspectives included, as well as how services relate to ideology and prostitution policy. The prostitution arena has gone throug h substantial changes, with an influx of new groups through migration and the emergence of human trafficking, leading to new policy and legislative responses. This has changed the premises for health and social services, while little is known about the co nsequences for persons in prostitution. Through a qualitative approach and in-depth analysis of the Norwegian case, we will develop a theoretical discussion of health and social services for persons in prostitution, as well as applicable recommendations for how best to meet the users' needs. The project will produce empirical data sets and documentation through interviews with women, men, and transpersons in prostitution, victims trafficking, and health and social workers; observation of health and soc ial outreach, and analysis of relevant documents from governmental and non-governmental organisations. The project will bring together Norwegian and international expertise from Fafo Institute for Applied International Studies, HØKH Helse Sør-Øst Health Services Research Centre, the Faculty of Health and Society at Malmö University and NEXUS Institute.