The survey was conducted over a month period, and was comprised of in-depth interviews with Asian women about their experiences of being culturally and linguistically diverse women working in Sydney's lower end brothels. It provides a unique snapshot of the working conditions of women who are rarely heard from. With the research, BaptistCare HopeStreet aimed to identify better ways to assist women who may struggle with the language and different cultures in Australia to access support services.
The report found many didn't know where to seek help, especially for their mental health. The report found 21 per cent said they struggled to relax and 38 per cent become easily agitated. BaptistCare HopeStreet's survey found if the women knew how to get support, they were more likely to enjoy their job. Jade told The Drum she lived and worked in a brothel: "She [the manager] was not happy when I go out.
She wanted to keep me working 24 hours. BaptistCare HopeStreet saw more than women in last year, for services including free counselling, case management, as well as a brothel outreach service that gives safe-sex kits to workers. The last survey into migrant sex workers was conducted nearly a decade ago, by Australian Institute of Criminology and Scarlett Alliance, showing migrants were satisfied with their conditions but were "significantly less likely than non-migrants to identify that they received support, information, free condoms and access to sexual health services or worked in a safe workplace environment".
A survey of migrants in the sex industry by national peak sex worker organisation Scarlet Alliance in found half wouldn't call the police if they were sexually assaulted.
Scarlet Alliance chief executive Jules Kim said they work with Asian sex workers through their migrant sex worker advisory group and Migrant Sex Worker Project. However, the best way to address this is through peer based responses. First posted December 03, Family and domestic violence support services:.
