Overcoming Insult and Injury: China Transgender Sex Workers and Intimate Partner Violence

Eileen Yuk-ha Tsang; Jeffrey S. Wilkinson

doi:10.5117/9789048560738_CH06

Overcoming Insult and Injury: China Transgender Sex Workers and Intimate Partner Violence

Eileen Yuk-ha Tsang
, Jeffrey S. Wilkinson

Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences

Research output: Chapters, Conference Papers, Creative and Literary Works › RGC 12 - Chapter in an edited book (Author) › peer-review

48 Downloads (CityUHK Scholars)

Abstract

Transgender sex workers (TSWs/TSW) worldwide face challenges and obstacles affecting their mental and physical well-being. TSWs are biologically male at birth and have either transitioned physically, or are in the process of transitioning, to female. In-depth interviews with 25 TSWs revealed the various forms of violence they routinely experience. Although around half of the violent experiences came from clients, police, and others, the more disconcerting estimate was that the other 50% came at the hands of their heterosexual or bisexual partners. The issue of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a significant concern among the TSWs. It is difficult for TSWs to complain to the police. To survive, TSWs therefore rely on informal networks with other “sisters” for advice and support.

© The authors / Amsterdam University Press B.V., Amsterdam 2025

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation around the World
Subtitle of host publication	Law, Ideology, and the Experiences of Sex Workers and Clients
Editors	Marijke Malsch, Janine Janssen
Place of Publication	Amsterdam
Publisher	Amsterdam University Press
Chapter	6
Pages	109-130
ISBN (Electronic)	9789048560745
ISBN (Print)	9789048560738
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.5117/9789048560738_CH06
Publication status	Published - 30 Apr 2025

Bibliographical note

Research Unit(s) information for this publication is provided by the author(s) concerned.

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 5 Gender Equality
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Research Keywords

queer criminology
sisterhood
commercial sex work
violence

Publisher's Copyright Statement

This full text is made available under CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

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Tsang, E. Y., & Wilkinson, J. S. (2025). Overcoming Insult and Injury: China Transgender Sex Workers and Intimate Partner Violence . In M. Malsch, & J. Janssen (Eds.), Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation around the World: Law, Ideology, and the Experiences of Sex Workers and Clients (pp. 109-130). Amsterdam University Press. https://doi.org/10.5117/9789048560738_CH06

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abstract = "Transgender sex workers (TSWs/TSW) worldwide face challenges and obstacles affecting their mental and physical well-being. TSWs are biologically male at birth and have either transitioned physically, or are in the process of transitioning, to female. In-depth interviews with 25 TSWs revealed the various forms of violence they routinely experience. Although around half of the violent experiences came from clients, police, and others, the more disconcerting estimate was that the other 50\% came at the hands of their heterosexual or bisexual partners. The issue of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a significant concern among the TSWs. It is difficult for TSWs to complain to the police. To survive, TSWs therefore rely on informal networks with other “sisters” for advice and support. {\textcopyright} The authors / Amsterdam University Press B.V., Amsterdam 2025",

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Tsang, EY & Wilkinson, JS 2025, Overcoming Insult and Injury: China Transgender Sex Workers and Intimate Partner Violence . in M Malsch & J Janssen (eds), Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation around the World: Law, Ideology, and the Experiences of Sex Workers and Clients. Amsterdam University Press, Amsterdam, pp. 109-130. https://doi.org/10.5117/9789048560738_CH06

Overcoming Insult and Injury: China Transgender Sex Workers and Intimate Partner Violence . / Tsang, Eileen Yuk-ha; Wilkinson, Jeffrey S.
Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation around the World: Law, Ideology, and the Experiences of Sex Workers and Clients. ed. / Marijke Malsch; Janine Janssen. Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press, 2025. p. 109-130.

Research output: Chapters, Conference Papers, Creative and Literary Works › RGC 12 - Chapter in an edited book (Author) › peer-review

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AU - Tsang, Eileen Yuk-ha

AU - Wilkinson, Jeffrey S.

N1 - Research Unit(s) information for this publication is provided by the author(s) concerned.

PY - 2025/4/30

Y1 - 2025/4/30

N2 - Transgender sex workers (TSWs/TSW) worldwide face challenges and obstacles affecting their mental and physical well-being. TSWs are biologically male at birth and have either transitioned physically, or are in the process of transitioning, to female. In-depth interviews with 25 TSWs revealed the various forms of violence they routinely experience. Although around half of the violent experiences came from clients, police, and others, the more disconcerting estimate was that the other 50% came at the hands of their heterosexual or bisexual partners. The issue of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a significant concern among the TSWs. It is difficult for TSWs to complain to the police. To survive, TSWs therefore rely on informal networks with other “sisters” for advice and support. © The authors / Amsterdam University Press B.V., Amsterdam 2025

AB - Transgender sex workers (TSWs/TSW) worldwide face challenges and obstacles affecting their mental and physical well-being. TSWs are biologically male at birth and have either transitioned physically, or are in the process of transitioning, to female. In-depth interviews with 25 TSWs revealed the various forms of violence they routinely experience. Although around half of the violent experiences came from clients, police, and others, the more disconcerting estimate was that the other 50% came at the hands of their heterosexual or bisexual partners. The issue of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a significant concern among the TSWs. It is difficult for TSWs to complain to the police. To survive, TSWs therefore rely on informal networks with other “sisters” for advice and support. © The authors / Amsterdam University Press B.V., Amsterdam 2025

KW - queer criminology

KW - sisterhood

KW - commercial sex work

KW - violence

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M3 - RGC 12 - Chapter in an edited book (Author)

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Overcoming Insult and Injury: China Transgender Sex Workers and Intimate Partner Violence

Abstract

Bibliographical note

UN SDGs

Research Keywords

Publisher's Copyright Statement

Access Output

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Permanent Link

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Cite this