GITNUXREPORT 2025

Prostitution Violence Statistics

Prostitution exposes women to high violence, abuse, and systemic risks worldwide.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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The average age of entry into prostitution is around 17 years old, increasing vulnerability to violence

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Children as young as 12 years old are reportedly forced into prostitution in some countries, facing high levels of violence

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Violence and exploitation often lead to long-term trauma, with many sex workers suffering from PTSD, depression, or anxiety, and limited access to mental health services

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Among prostituted women, approximately 60% report that police violence or harassment is a significant problem

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Many law enforcement agencies lack specialized training on how to handle cases involving violence against sex workers, resulting in under-protection and under-reporting

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A cross-national study found that countries with stricter laws against sex work tend to have higher rates of violence against sex workers, indicating criminalization exacerbates risks

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Violence against sex workers is frequently ignored or dismissed by authorities, leading to low prosecution rates for assaults, often below 10%, in many jurisdictions

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A significant proportion of violence against sex workers occurs in or near brothels, with estimates around 40-50%

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The majority of sexual violence in the context of prostitution occurs in clandestine or unregulated environments, making enforcement and prevention difficult

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Urban street prostitution areas tend to have higher rates of violence and victimization compared to indoor or clandestine venues

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Approximately 80% of women involved in prostitution have experienced physical or sexual violence at some point in their lives

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About 63% of women in prostitution report having been physically assaulted by clients

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Nearly 70% of sex workers have experienced some form of violence, including threats and coercion, during their work

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Violence against sex workers is often underreported, with estimates suggesting only 15-30% of incidents are documented

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Sex workers of marginalized groups face a higher risk of violence, with studies indicating up to 90% of transgender sex workers experiencing violence

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In some regions, over 50% of sex workers report experiencing violence from law enforcement officials

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A study in the UK found that 63% of women involved in street prostitution experienced violence from clients or others

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Forced or coerced sex occurs in about 25% of prostitution cases worldwide, according to UNODC data

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More than 80% of women working in street-based prostitution report having been physically assaulted

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Up to 50% of sex workers experience abuse that results in injury requiring medical attention

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Sex workers in migrant populations face higher risks of violence, with reports indicating over 70% have experienced violence

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Nearly 65% of sex workers have been threatened with violence if they refused a client

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Violence from clients is a leading cause of injury-related hospitalization among sex workers, accounting for about 35% of cases

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Studies have shown that street-based sex workers are three times more likely to experience violence compared to those working indoors

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Women involved in prostitution are 20 times more likely to experience violence than women in the general population

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A report indicates that 85% of sex workers experience some form of exploitation or coercion, often linked to violence

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Police harassment and violence are reported by over 50% of sex workers, especially in regions with strict legal crackdowns

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About 75% of sex workers report experiencing violence during the course of their work at some point

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Around 85% of trafficked persons involved in sexual exploitation report violence and abuse during captivity

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Victims of sex trafficking often face ongoing violence and threats that suppress their ability to escape, with some estimates suggesting 90% experience ongoing abuse

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Women in prostitution are 13 times more likely to suffer from physical violence compared to women not involved in sex work

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In some reports, up to 60% of sex workers experience violent attacks that result in injury, often without reporting to authorities

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Violence, including murders, is a leading cause of death among sex workers worldwide, with global homicide rates among sex workers estimated at 11 times higher than the general population

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Many sex workers report experiencing psychological or emotional abuse by clients, which can be as damaging as physical violence

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Approximately 45% of sex workers report experiencing some form of violence or abuse during their careers, with many incidents involving multiple types of violence

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The rate of violence against transgender sex workers is estimated to be at least twice as high as for cisgender women in sex work

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A significant number of sex workers experience disfigurement or permanent injury due to violent attacks, with some estimates as high as 20%

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Violence in prostitution is often linked to organized criminal activities, such as human trafficking and drug cartels, complicating law enforcement responses

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In Latin America, violence against sex workers is a major public health issue, with some countries reporting homicide rates exceeding 20 per 100,000 sex workers annually

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Studies indicate that around 50-60% of street-based sex workers have been robbed or physically assaulted at least once

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Up to 30% of sex workers encounter violent incidents that leave lasting physical injuries, sometimes requiring emergency medical intervention

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In some studies, over 40% of sex workers report feeling unsafe due to violence or threat of violence from clients or pimps, leading to increased work-related stress and avoidance of police

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The incidence of femicide among sex workers is significantly higher than in the general female population, with some reports indicating that sex worker women are five times more likely to be murdered

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Many sex workers experience coercion and violence as a routine part of their work, impacting their health and safety, and often making them reluctant to seek help

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Key Highlights

Approximately 80% of women involved in prostitution have experienced physical or sexual violence at some point in their lives
About 63% of women in prostitution report having been physically assaulted by clients
Nearly 70% of sex workers have experienced some form of violence, including threats and coercion, during their work
Violence against sex workers is often underreported, with estimates suggesting only 15-30% of incidents are documented
Sex workers of marginalized groups face a higher risk of violence, with studies indicating up to 90% of transgender sex workers experiencing violence
In some regions, over 50% of sex workers report experiencing violence from law enforcement officials
Among prostituted women, approximately 60% report that police violence or harassment is a significant problem
A study in the UK found that 63% of women involved in street prostitution experienced violence from clients or others
Forced or coerced sex occurs in about 25% of prostitution cases worldwide, according to UNODC data
More than 80% of women working in street-based prostitution report having been physically assaulted
Up to 50% of sex workers experience abuse that results in injury requiring medical attention
The average age of entry into prostitution is around 17 years old, increasing vulnerability to violence
Sex workers in migrant populations face higher risks of violence, with reports indicating over 70% have experienced violence

Despite being among the most vulnerable and marginalized workers, women in prostitution face alarming rates of violence—ranging from physical assault and coercion to deadly femicide—with estimates indicating that up to 90% endure ongoing abuse, yet their suffering remains predominantly underreported and inadequately protected by law enforcement.

Demographics and Vulnerability Factors in Sex Work

The average age of entry into prostitution is around 17 years old, increasing vulnerability to violence
Children as young as 12 years old are reportedly forced into prostitution in some countries, facing high levels of violence

Demographics and Vulnerability Factors in Sex Work Interpretation

These chilling statistics underscore the urgent need for global action to protect vulnerable youth from exploitation and violence, as the age of entry into prostitution drops dangerously low, leaving innocent children as young as 12 exposed to unimaginable harm.

Health, Trafficking, and Psychological Effects on Sex Workers

Violence and exploitation often lead to long-term trauma, with many sex workers suffering from PTSD, depression, or anxiety, and limited access to mental health services

Health, Trafficking, and Psychological Effects on Sex Workers Interpretation

The statistic starkly highlights that behind the shadows of exploitation lies a silent epidemic of trauma among sex workers, compounded by insufficient mental health support—reminding us that safety and dignity are fundamental rights, not optional extras.

Impact of Marginalization and Law Enforcement on Safety

Among prostituted women, approximately 60% report that police violence or harassment is a significant problem
Many law enforcement agencies lack specialized training on how to handle cases involving violence against sex workers, resulting in under-protection and under-reporting
A cross-national study found that countries with stricter laws against sex work tend to have higher rates of violence against sex workers, indicating criminalization exacerbates risks
Violence against sex workers is frequently ignored or dismissed by authorities, leading to low prosecution rates for assaults, often below 10%, in many jurisdictions

Impact of Marginalization and Law Enforcement on Safety Interpretation

The stark reality is that in many jurisdictions, criminalizing sex work not only fails to deter violence but inadvertently funnels prostituted women into a dangerous shadowscape where police harassment, under-protection, and deadly indifference perpetuate a cycle of abuse.

Patterns of Violence and Risks in Different Settings

A significant proportion of violence against sex workers occurs in or near brothels, with estimates around 40-50%
The majority of sexual violence in the context of prostitution occurs in clandestine or unregulated environments, making enforcement and prevention difficult
Urban street prostitution areas tend to have higher rates of violence and victimization compared to indoor or clandestine venues

Patterns of Violence and Risks in Different Settings Interpretation

These sobering statistics underscore that the shadows of illegality and lack of regulation in sex work not only shield offenders from accountability but also profoundly heighten the risks faced by sex workers, transforming violence into a chilling consequence of clandestine commercial activity.

Prevalence and Experience of Violence Against Sex Workers

Approximately 80% of women involved in prostitution have experienced physical or sexual violence at some point in their lives
About 63% of women in prostitution report having been physically assaulted by clients
Nearly 70% of sex workers have experienced some form of violence, including threats and coercion, during their work
Violence against sex workers is often underreported, with estimates suggesting only 15-30% of incidents are documented
Sex workers of marginalized groups face a higher risk of violence, with studies indicating up to 90% of transgender sex workers experiencing violence
In some regions, over 50% of sex workers report experiencing violence from law enforcement officials
A study in the UK found that 63% of women involved in street prostitution experienced violence from clients or others
Forced or coerced sex occurs in about 25% of prostitution cases worldwide, according to UNODC data
More than 80% of women working in street-based prostitution report having been physically assaulted
Up to 50% of sex workers experience abuse that results in injury requiring medical attention
Sex workers in migrant populations face higher risks of violence, with reports indicating over 70% have experienced violence
Nearly 65% of sex workers have been threatened with violence if they refused a client
Violence from clients is a leading cause of injury-related hospitalization among sex workers, accounting for about 35% of cases
Studies have shown that street-based sex workers are three times more likely to experience violence compared to those working indoors
Women involved in prostitution are 20 times more likely to experience violence than women in the general population
A report indicates that 85% of sex workers experience some form of exploitation or coercion, often linked to violence
Police harassment and violence are reported by over 50% of sex workers, especially in regions with strict legal crackdowns
About 75% of sex workers report experiencing violence during the course of their work at some point
Around 85% of trafficked persons involved in sexual exploitation report violence and abuse during captivity
Victims of sex trafficking often face ongoing violence and threats that suppress their ability to escape, with some estimates suggesting 90% experience ongoing abuse
Women in prostitution are 13 times more likely to suffer from physical violence compared to women not involved in sex work
In some reports, up to 60% of sex workers experience violent attacks that result in injury, often without reporting to authorities
Violence, including murders, is a leading cause of death among sex workers worldwide, with global homicide rates among sex workers estimated at 11 times higher than the general population
Many sex workers report experiencing psychological or emotional abuse by clients, which can be as damaging as physical violence
Approximately 45% of sex workers report experiencing some form of violence or abuse during their careers, with many incidents involving multiple types of violence
The rate of violence against transgender sex workers is estimated to be at least twice as high as for cisgender women in sex work
A significant number of sex workers experience disfigurement or permanent injury due to violent attacks, with some estimates as high as 20%
Violence in prostitution is often linked to organized criminal activities, such as human trafficking and drug cartels, complicating law enforcement responses
In Latin America, violence against sex workers is a major public health issue, with some countries reporting homicide rates exceeding 20 per 100,000 sex workers annually
Studies indicate that around 50-60% of street-based sex workers have been robbed or physically assaulted at least once
Up to 30% of sex workers encounter violent incidents that leave lasting physical injuries, sometimes requiring emergency medical intervention
In some studies, over 40% of sex workers report feeling unsafe due to violence or threat of violence from clients or pimps, leading to increased work-related stress and avoidance of police
The incidence of femicide among sex workers is significantly higher than in the general female population, with some reports indicating that sex worker women are five times more likely to be murdered
Many sex workers experience coercion and violence as a routine part of their work, impacting their health and safety, and often making them reluctant to seek help

Prevalence and Experience of Violence Against Sex Workers Interpretation

Despite their high risk and often underreported victimization, over 80% of sex workers worldwide face physical or sexual violence—highlighting a brutal paradox where vulnerability is woven into the fabric of their work, yet meaningful protection remains elusive.