CRIMINAL VICTIMIZATION OF PROSTITUTES: EMPIRICAL SUPPORT FOR THE LIFESTYLE/EXPOSURE MODEL

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Abstract
Given the nature of their profession, prostitutes (or streetwalkers) are high risk targets for criminal victimization. Victimologists and most practitioners have been reluctant to consider prostitutes as “victims” per se. Consequently, little is known about the extent and prevalence of their victimizations. Therefore, the purpose of this study is twofold: (1) to provide a theoretical explanation for the criminal victimization of prostitutes and (2) to describe the nature and prevalence of their victimizations. In doing so, the “lifestyle/exposure model of victimization” was used as a theoretical foundation for female victimization (in general). From face to face interviews with 59 streetwalkers, results indicate that: (1) most were either robbed and/or raped while working the streets, (2) a sizeable majority was hospitalized following a physical assault, and (3) being killed or mugged ranked among their biggest fears. The implications of the findings are discussed along with the adequacy of the lifestyles model to explain their victimizations.

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