Gender Violence and Sexual Behaviors of Trafficked Women in Mexico

Arunkumar Acharya, Universidad Autónoma de Nuveo Leon

Violence against women is an integral part of the socio-economic fabric in Mexico. This causes intolerable physical and mental health consequences for women, which I have explored in this research. Sixty trafficked women currently working as sex workers are interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire and 28 in-depth interviews conducted in Monterrey and Mexico City. Results indicate that trafficked women are basically young, little educated and unmarried. They are working in bars, hotels and living with a pimp. In a week prior to interview, 70% were beaten with objects, 100% were abused sexually and verbally, 28% were burned by lighting cigarettes and 36% were threatened with being killed. Unwanted pregnancy and forced abortion are frequent events; 65% aborted at least one time. Almost all women are infected by sexually transmitted diseases. Present research concluded that gender-based violence has serious physical and mental health risks as well as social suffering among women.

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Presented in Session 31: Gender Based Violence