Sex workers undaunted by attacks

Despite admitting that their job is dangerous, and that one bad decision could cost them their lives, some of the island's sex workers have declared that they have no intention of calling it quits any time soon.

Some women with whom THE STAR spoke yesterday alleged that one of their co-workers was recently killed following a dispute over a transaction. The news, which has been circulating via social media, has not been confirmed by the police. However, sex workers at Port Henderson Road in St Catherine insist that it took place at a location in Kingston.

The alleged attack, however, is not enough to keep 'Special' off the streets. She said that attacks on sex workers is an unfortunate reality that women, like her, have to deal with.

"We nuh have nuh choice," said Special. "Man want it and caah get it, him will kill you. If you thief him money, him wi kill you," she said.

Another prostitute, who described herself as an experienced woman of the streets, said she has had countless close calls with men. She told THE STAR that as recent as last month she had to pull her knife on one of her customers after he tried to detain her beyond the agreed upon time.

"We di deh and him bu$$ @ff and me get up fi left now, and him a hol me, so me a seh a wah dis now. So me get up and start ease him off and him start cuss and say him time nuh up. So me affi pop off mi ratchet and ease him inna the wall. A suh me get fi run off before him get fi stand up good," the woman said

She told THE STAR that while she is uncomfortable with the level of risk attached to her job, she says she has no choice but to earn her living on the streets.

"Me affi out yah a night time or me son nuh eat. So a nuh like me wah out yah, enuh, but me just affi make dah sacrifice deh. Dem a guh always kill woman, a just you affi roll deep and now how fi protect yourself," the woman said.