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PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT
Although in the West, sex workers may or may not bear
significant social and psychological burdens, in South Asia their
situation is different. For South Asian sex workers, the
psychological and social impact of the profession is brutal, and
usually lasts a lifetime. 72
Psychological malaise
There are no comprehensive studies on the psychological
impact of sex work on girls and women in South Asia, although
there are numerous reports from counsellors and psychologists,
including those presently working with entertainment workers
in the Kathmandu Valley. 73 As expected, the psychological
impact of prostitution is most severe on children. Most
entertainment workers presenting to counsellors in the
Kathmandu Valley suffer from anxiety and depression, often
coupled with guilt for pursuing what society believes is a ‘bad
occupation’. They often express anger and resentment at
customers, employers and society in general. Insecurity and
fear – from losing their jobs, being arrested by the police or
being raped by customers – are commonplace.
Girls and women often present with extreme feelings of
hopelessness, of being ‘ruined’ or ‘spoiled’ (Nepali bigrieko),
and of isolation and abandonment from their homes, families
and society. Some girls and women may express their feelings
in behaviour that is abusive or impulsive, and others may
‘My fate is like this, it was meant for me to
come here.’
‘I should not have been spoilt (“bigrieko”), but
now I am spoilt.’
‘Will I ever get married with a wedding
procession coming to take me’
‘I wish that nobody will come to the state that
I am in now.’
Quotes from minors working in Thamel massage parlours, Oct 2009
become reclusive and withdrawn. In extreme cases, the
psychological burden of their lifestyle may lead to self-destructive
behaviour, including the use of drugs, self-inflicted harm or
attempted suicide. The psychological and social impact on
their children, who often receive inadequate attention because
their mothers must work long hours, is not known,but is of
concern.
Censure by society
While some societies are more tolerant of sex work than
others, in almost every society the public attitude towards
entertainment and sex workers is negative. While there are
activities worldwide to change social attitudes, it is unlikely
that social stigma and discrimination will end in the near future.
2010 Terre des hommes www.tdh.ch 47