THE UNHEARD VOICES OF SEX WORKERS IN INDIA: A QUALITATIVE STUDY ON THE REHABILITATION AND REINTEGRATION BACK INTO SOCIETY

Abstract

The sex industry in India is full of tragedy, victimization and struggle, and embedded within in it all are the suppressed voices of women. The purpose of this research is to understand the experience, structures, process and policies that allow former sex workers to rehabilitate and reintegrate into society. When analyzing the structures, this research uncovered the resources and tools available to sex workers to reintegrate into society, such as learning a new skill, counseling sessions and becoming financial independent by obtaining a job. Understanding the victimization of sex workers through police brutality and stigmatization of sex work was fundamental to understanding the challenges of reintegration into society. This study was developed to give women who are in the sex industry an opportunity to share their stories, experiences and contribute to scholarly literature.