Working Paper: NBER ID: w27846
Authors: Lisa Cameron; Jennifer Seager; Manisha Shah
Abstract: We examine the impact of criminalizing sex work, exploiting an event in which local officials unexpectedly criminalized sex work in one district in East Java, Indonesia, but not in neighboring districts. We collect data from female sex workers and their clients before and after the change. We find that criminalization increases sexually transmitted infections among female sex workers by 58 percent, measured by biological tests. This is driven by decreased condom access and use. We also find evidence that criminalization decreases earnings among women who left sex work due to criminalization, and decreases their ability to meet their children's school expenses while increasing the likelihood that children begin working to supplement household income. While criminalization has the potential to improve population STI outcomes if the market shrinks permanently, we show that five years post-criminalization the market has rebounded and the probability of STI transmission within the general population is likely to have increased.
Keywords: Sex Work; Criminalization; STI; Public Health; Economics
JEL Codes: I18; J16; K42
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| Criminalization of sex work in Malang (K42) | Increase in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among female sex workers (F63) |
| Criminalization of sex work in Malang (K42) | Decreased access to condoms (I14) |
| Decreased access to condoms (I14) | Increase in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among female sex workers (F63) |
| Criminalization of sex work in Malang (K42) | Adverse effects on earnings of women who leave sex work (J79) |
| Adverse effects on earnings of women who leave sex work (J79) | Less money for schooling for their children (I24) |
| Adverse effects on earnings of women who leave sex work (J79) | Children more likely to start working to support household income (J13) |
| Criminalization of sex work in Malang (K42) | Long-term health implications for the general population (I14) |