Helping individuals in the sex trade during COVID-19: The perspectives of Israeli aid organizations"

Lahav-Raz, Y., A Prior, G Shilo, and E Peled. 2022. “Helping individuals in the sex trade during COVID-19: The perspectives of Israeli aid organizations"”. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a collateral effect on marginalized populations, including individuals in the sex trade (IST). In addition, the literature of the past year has documented a significant impact of the pandemic on healthcare providers. However, there is a lack of research on the new challenges and existing hardships facing aid organizations working with IST populations. This naturalistic qualitative study used semi-structured interviews with 33 IST aid organization workers in Israel between May and July 2020 to capture their perceptions and experiences within broader social-relational contexts. Data analysis revealed that the pandemic impacted three different arenas: The assistance systems and the quality of care; The relationship between aid organizations and state authorities; and The intra-organizational and inter-organizational relationship. These findings add to the knowledge about the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on aid organizations, particularly the need for greater collaboration between aid organizations during health crises and governmental support for these organizations. In addition, the study highlights the opportunities that a global and local health crisis can create advancing new knowledge and practices used by aid organizations in their work to assist IST populations.  

Last updated on 02/03/2022