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Context-specific pathways into adult female street-based sex work in Arcadia and Sunnyside, Pretoria

Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2018.

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Other Authors: Klopper, Harriet F.
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: University of Pretoria 2026
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access_status_str Open Access
author2 Klopper, Harriet F.
author_browse Klopper, Harriet F.
author_facet Klopper, Harriet F.
collection Thesis
dc_rights_str_mv © 2024 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria.
description Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2018.
format Thesis
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institution University of Pretoria (South Africa)
language English
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:36:36.982Z
license_str Other — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
publishDate 2026
publishDateRange 2026
publishDateSort 2026
publisher University of Pretoria
publisherStr University of Pretoria
record_format dspace
source_str UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
spelling oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/107680 Context-specific pathways into adult female street-based sex work in Arcadia and Sunnyside, Pretoria Klopper, Harriet F. harriet.klopper@up.ac.za Steyn, Francois Myburgh, Gertruida Margaretha UCTD Street-based Sex worker Commercial sex worker Pathway Pretoria Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2018. Researchers’ interest in the sex work phenomenon is not new and despite numerous studies alluding to the prevalence and nature thereof, the South African context of commercial sex work (CSW) entry remains poorly understood. Therefore, the aim of the study was to identify context-specific pathways into adult female street-based sex work in Arcadia and Sunnyside, Pretoria (Gauteng). In pursu1it of the aim of the study, the researcher endeavoured to compile a profile of sex workers, highlight possible risk factors which may shape an individual’s trajectory into CSW and describe the nature of adult female street-based sex work in Arcadia and Sunnyside, Pretoria (Gauteng). Due to the paucity of local studies regarding the research problem, objectives formulated for the study dictated the utilisation of a cross-sectional survey research design. Adult female street-based sex workers were approached in their area of work (Sunnyside and Arcadia), by means of non-probability sampling methods, where 60 face-to-face interviews were conducted utilising a structured questionnaire. Non-parametric procedures were used to determine significant relationships that could point to risk factors that play a meaningful role in shaping women’s pathways into CSW. The literature review elucidated various risk factors associated with CSW, which was subsequently supported by the current study’s findings. More than half of sex workers came from low socio-economic backgrounds (63.3%) and had poor educational levels (61.7%). Individuals who ran away from home were more likely to have experienced abuse prior to their involvement in sex work (r = - 0.3), as well as alluded to some substance use (r = - 0.3) and familial substance abuse (r = - 0.4). Sex workers who experienced abuse prior to their CSW involvement were less likely to have had previous employment (r = - 0.3). Furthermore, sex workers’ main motivation for their CSW involvement was related to financial need (93.3%) and unemployment (78.3%). Additionally, sex workers who were arrested were more likely to report experiences of police abuse. In light of the intersectionality of risk factors and the aim of the present study, the survey results alluded to four possible pathways for women into street-based CSW, which roughly comprise of economic circumstances, runaway behaviour, abuse and substance abuse. Therefore, the researcher recommends, amongst others, that the risk factors, which intersect in an across the different pathways, be considered by role-players in their service delivery to street-based sex workers. Social Work and Criminology MSc (Criminology) Restricted Faculty of Humanities SDG-08: Decent work and economic growth 2026-01-28T09:18:19Z 2026-01-28T09:18:19Z 2019-01 2019-01 Dissertation * A2019 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/107680 N/A en © 2024 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria
spellingShingle UCTD
Street-based
Sex worker
Commercial sex worker
Pathway
Pretoria
Context-specific pathways into adult female street-based sex work in Arcadia and Sunnyside, Pretoria
title Context-specific pathways into adult female street-based sex work in Arcadia and Sunnyside, Pretoria
title_full Context-specific pathways into adult female street-based sex work in Arcadia and Sunnyside, Pretoria
title_fullStr Context-specific pathways into adult female street-based sex work in Arcadia and Sunnyside, Pretoria
title_full_unstemmed Context-specific pathways into adult female street-based sex work in Arcadia and Sunnyside, Pretoria
title_short Context-specific pathways into adult female street-based sex work in Arcadia and Sunnyside, Pretoria
title_sort context specific pathways into adult female street based sex work in arcadia and sunnyside pretoria
topic UCTD
Street-based
Sex worker
Commercial sex worker
Pathway
Pretoria
url http://hdl.handle.net/2263/107680