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February 8, 2026SexesOpen Access

Disclosure as an Unsafe Practice: A Qualitative Exploration of How Stigma and Discrimination Shape Healthcare Engagement and Receipt of Quality Care for Sex Workers in Victoria, Australia

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Authors

PMP. G. MaciotiLa Trobe UniversityJPJennifer PowerLa Trobe UniversityRDRyan DeVeauLa Trobe University

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Overview

Qualitative assessment reveals stigma affects sex workers' access to mental health care, suggesting policy improvements.

Key Points

  • The research aims to explore how stigma and discrimination influence sex workers' willingness to disclose their profession to healthcare providers and its impact on mental health support.
  • Conducted qualitative health needs assessment with 31 sex workers and 17 stakeholders in Victoria.
  • Analyzed experiences and fears related to disclosure impacting healthcare access.
  • Identified key themes such as peer-to-peer support and the role of criminalization on mental health access.
  • Some sex workers avoid disclosing their profession due to fear of stigma from health practitioners.
  • Stigma contributes to difficulties in obtaining safe and affirming mental healthcare.
  • Peer support emerges as crucial for enhancing sex workers' mental well-being.

Cite This Study

Macioti et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/698827f00fc35cd7a8846fbbhttps://doi.org/10.3390/sexes7010007
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Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

  1. 1A survey of Australian sex workers exploring the link between stigma and reduced access to health care2026
  2. 2Healthcare for sex workers—access, barriers, and needs2024 · 12 citations
  3. 3Opening up: self-disclosure and stigma among mental health professionals-a cross-sectional study2026
  4. 4Risk and resilience in the red lights: a mini-review on sex worker lived experiences and mental health outcomes2026
  5. 5Understanding stigma and mental health among the transgender sex workers: A phenomenological inquiry2026