Confronting structural violence in sex work: lessons from a community-led HIV prevention project in Mysore, India

Evidence from community-led HIV prevention projects suggests that structural interventions may result in reduced rates of HIV and STIs. However, the complex relationship between empowerment and confronting stigma, discrimination and physical abuse necessitates further investigation into the impact that such interventions have on the personal risks for sex workers. This article aims to describe the lived experiences of members from a sex worker’s collective in Mysore, India and the ways in which they have confronted structural violence with various social actors and institutions. The collection of narratives highlights experiences of violence and the development and implementation of strategies that have altered the social, physical, and emotional environment for sex workers. Building an enabling environment has been key to reducing the personal risks inherent to sex work for this community, emphasizing the importance of community-led structural interventions for sex workers in India.