The research examined issues relating to migrant sex workers in New Zealand and their occupational safety and health. There were three parts to the research: key informant interviews, self administered questionnaires, and a review of anonymised clinical data comparing migrant and non-migrant sex workers.
Specific research objectives included:
understand the New Zealand sex work context in which migrants are working
identify the specific needs of migrant sex workers with regards to:
− occupational health and safety needs
− sexual and reproductive needs
− any other needs that may contribute to the general health of migrant sex workers
identify barriers and facilitators to migrant sex workers’ receipt of appropriate services and/or required assistance.
The research found that there were some vulnerabilities affecting migrant sex workers, both legislative and unique. There were also some concerns raised about some management practices in some brothels, though there was little evidence of trafficking indicators.