Self-Perceived Obstacles That Hinder Street Level Sex Workers In Windhoek To Break With The Sex Industry

ABSTRACT

There has been no research in Namibia on rehabilitation and social reintegration of individuals who were involved in prostitution. Aim: The aim of this mixed method study examines the self perceived obstacles that act as hindrances to breaking with prostitution. Method: The purposive sample consisted of 19 participants, male and female aged 17 to 45 years. They were contacted through the Council of Churches in Namibia that provides a rehabilitation programme to prostitutes. Each individual participated in one of three focus group discussions facilitated by the researcher and an assistant. The focus group discussions were recorded, transcribed, and analysed using AtlasTi. The Barriers to Rehabilitation Questionnaire (BRQ), which was derived from the results of the focus group discussions, was used to verify the results. In conjunction with the BRQ, other psychological measures were administered to determine psychological burden. Results: The results indicate that all participants suffered psychological, somatic and behavioural sequelae. The sequelae contribute to making lifestyle change unattainable. Three domains are identified as the main barriers: (1) extrinsic - (2) social - and (3) intrinsic barriers. Conclusion: from the above mentioned results it can be, thus, concluded that rehabilitation and reintegration programs could produce more positive results should they apply a more holistic approach inclusive of material-, medical-, social support as well as psychological intervention.