Differences between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women engaged in street prostitution in Sudbury.

Abstract

This study identifies differences between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women engaged in street prostitution in Sudbury, Ontario using an Indigenous Research Paradigm. A sample of twelve women engaged in street prostitution were interviewed using the Prostitution Questionnaire developed by Dr. Melissa Farley of Prostitution Research & Education. Additional questions of regional and cultural relevance were added. A comparison group of nine marginalized women without experience in prostitution was also interviewed with an abbreviated interview tool. The results indicated that Aboriginal women engaged in street prostitution differed from non-Aboriginal women in the following areas: stronger desire for the legalization of prostitution, more experience with discrimination, more physical assaults, higher alcohol consumption, more criticism from others about alcohol consumption, stronger desire to reduce alcohol consumption, more prolonged substance use, stronger desire for treatment of substance use, family with residential school experience, more interest in deepening cultural connections, more active within their faith, greater contact with family and more trusting relationships. Like Aboriginal women engaged in prostitution, Aboriginal women with hardships differed from non- Aboriginal women with hardships in their family experience with residential schools, in being more active within their faith and having greater contact with family. Furthermore, Aboriginal women with hardships also had more family and friends living in a First Nations community, had lived in a First Nations community at some point and had more knowledge of Aboriginal teachings. Additional results outside of identified differences were also included to help define the local populations. The findings, in relation to Aboriginal women engaged in street prostitution, are discussed within the context of historical antecedents, community development and political policies.