The Commercial Sex Industry in Douala, Cameroon
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THE COMMERCIAL SEX INDUSTRY IN DOUALA, CAMEROON: A QUALITATIVE INVESTIGATION By Dilys Asuagbor A Dissertation submitted to the Graduate School-Newark Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Graduate Program in Criminal Justice written under the direction of Dr. Jody Miller and approved by _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ Newark, New Jersey May 2014 © 2014 Dilys Asuagbor ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ABSTRACT The Commercial Sex Industry in Douala, Cameroon: A Qualitative Investigation By Dilys Asuagbor Dissertation Director: Dr. Jody Miller The literature on the commercial sex industry shows that extensive studies of the phenomenon have been undertaken in the United States of America, Europe and Asia. By comparison, relatively little research has investigated commercial sex in the African context, despite evidence that it is widespread in many nations throughout the continent, including the West Central African nation of Cameroon. Using the qualitative method of inquiry, interviews were conducted with 50 sex workers in Douala, the nation’s economic capital, covering different venues and types of sex work undertaken. The findings illuminate our understanding of: the pathways into prostitution in Douala, the nature and organization of sex work in Douala, and the risks and challenges faced by sex workers in Douala. The extent of prostitution in Cameroon was not undertaken and remains an opportunity for future research. This research serves as a useful resource for public policy considerations in Cameroon and contributes to the growing body of research on the commercial sex industry in Africa generally and Cameroon specifically. It also provides a strong basis for comparative research with other studies that have been and are currently being undertaken elsewhere. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This dissertation is dedicated to two beautiful and energetic girls - my daughters, Rachel and Ma’Orock Pondy. Thank you for your unconditional love. A special thank you to my parents, Denis and Lucy Asuagbor for encouraging me with prayers, morally and financially always ensuring I never had the option of not completing. Thank you Jean for support. Thank you to my siblings: Lambert, Nkongho, Takor, AG and TK. Thank you to my family members Etchu, Ayuk, Manyi, and Uncle Napo. Philomene, Hamutal, Philippe and Joseph (RIP) I counted on you more than I ought and you were there when it mattered, thank you. To my friends, I am blessed to have you. Jack Ngom, thank you for your assistance, I could not have done this without you. Patrice (we set out on this intellectual journey together and you guided me every single step of the way), Christine (for sharing your research experiences), Vanessa (for your academic insight), Sammie, Suze, Grace, Marja, Olive, Sharon, Lily, Harriet, Marceline, Gladys, Lidiah, Sandra, Ferdy, Serge, Yves, Michel, Ben Ted, Elvis, Tatiana and Gabby, thank you. I would like to acknowledge and thank my bosses (past and present), especially Dr. Preston for encouraging my ambition and occasionally brainstorming on my research. This dissertation would not be possible without the intervention and consistent support of Dr. Jody Miller. Dr. Miller, I requested your guidance slightly over three years ago when the odds were against me but I was determined not to give up. In accepting to supervise me, I gained a research supervisor, a mentor and a friend. You helped me weather occasional storms and panic incidents. You listened to my challenges, providing me with guidance and most of all you ensured I succeeded, while celebrating iii my successes – minor and major. Dr. Miller, my thanks to you are immeasurable. I am also very grateful to have as part of my dissertation committee Dr. Avakame, Dr. Chin and Dr. Zhang. Although busy with numerous commitments, you treated my work with priority and always provided valuable guidance. Mrs. Wright, Mrs. Thomas, Dean Laurencin and Mrs. Schultze, seeing your familiar faces and hearing your kind words over the years made me feel at home at the Center for Law and Justice and for that I say thank you. Ms. Teresa Fontanez, by your strength, you encouraged me to keep going in spite of life’s challenges. Thank you. To my family and friends, not mentioned but definitely not forgotten, thank you for the roles you played in taking me to the finish line. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1: Introduction 1.1 Overview…………………………………………………………………………..1 1.2 Statement of the Problem…………………………………………...……………..2 1.3 Purpose………………………………………………………...…………………..4 1.4 Research Questions……………………….………………...……………………..4 1.5 Methodology………………………………………………………………………5 1.6 Significance……………………………………………………….……………….5 1.7 Limitations………………………………………………………….......................7 1.8 Outline of the Dissertation………………………………………….......................7 Chapter 2: Literature Review 2.1 The Politics of Prostitution ……………………………………………..………...9 2.1.1 Definition of Prostitution………………………………………………………….9 2.1.2 Is Prostitution Work or Not………………………………………………………11 2.2 Entrée and Motivation for Continued Prostitution…………..…………...………16 2.3 Prostitution and Stigma……………………………………….…….....................19 2.4 Prostitutes’ Identity……………………………………………………………...23 2.5 Coercion or Choice …………………………………………………...................25 2.6 Sex Trafficking………………………………………………………………..…28 2.7 Prostitution and Spaces of Manifestation …………………………………….....33 2.8 Policy Approaches to Prostitution …………………………………………...….37 2.9 Dominant Themes in the Prostitution and Sex Trafficking …………….……….42 2.9.1 Introduction ………………………………………………………......................42 v 2.9.2 Human Rights Implications…………………………………...…………………43 2.9.3 Public Health Implications………………………………………………………45 2.9.4 Prostitution and Drugs……………………………………………………...……51 2.9.5 Violence and Abuse ………………………………………………......................53 2.9.6 Clients and Johns………………………………………………………………...56 2.10 Conclusion ……………………………………………………………..………..60 Chapter 3: Study Setting: Douala, Cameroon 3.1 Cameroon – Overview ………………………………………………..................61 3.2 Cameroon’s Colonial Past……………………..………………………………...64 3.3 Legal Framework………………………………………………………………...66 3.4 Douala – Overview …………………………………………………………..….69 3.5 Geographical Description of Douala ………………………….…………….......74 Chapter 4: Research Methodology 4.1 Purpose of Research …………………………………………………..................81 4.2 Qualitative Research Methods …………………………………………………..82 4.2.1 Data Collection…………………………………………………………………..83 4.2.1.1 Sampling ……………………………………………………………...................83 4.2.1.2 Informed Consent………………………………………………………………..87 4.2.1.3 Interview Protocol……………………………………………………………….89 4.2.1.4 Interviewing and Interview Procedures………………………………………….90 4.2.1.5 Sample ………………………………………………………………..................96 4.2.2 Data Analysis ……………………………………………………………………99 4.2.2.1 Grounded Theory………………………………………………………………..99 vi 4.3 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………...104 Chapter 5: Pathways into Prostitution in Douala 5.1 Introduction ………. …………………………………………………...............106 5.2 Regions of Origin of Douala Based Prostitutes………………..……………….107 5.3 Reasons for Migrating to Douala……………………………………………….109 5.3.1 In Search of a Better Life ………………………………………………………109 5.3.2 To Prostitute…………………………………………………………………….110 5.3.3 Ran Away from Home………………………………………………………….111 5.3.4 To be with Family or Friends …………………………………………………..111 5.3.5 I like Douala…………………………………………………………………….113 5.3.6 For a Change in Scenery ……………………………………………………….113 5.3.7 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………...114 5.4 Locations of Sex Work ………………………………………………………...114 5.5 Other Employment Occupied ………………………………………………….115 5.6 Level of Education …………………………………………………………….119 5.7 Bounded Rationality …………………………………………………………...123 5.8 Entrée …………………………………………………………………………..124 5.8.1 Pleasure/ Fun …………………………………………………………………..125 5.8.2 Love -Related Deception……………………………………………………….126 5.8.3 Curiosity ……………………………………………………………………….127 5.8.4 Drift…………………………………………………………………………….129 5.8.5 To Take Care of my Responsibilities…………………………………………...131 5.8.5.1 Responsibility towards Myself…………………………………………………132 vii 5.8.5.2 Responsibility towards my Children…………………………………………...133 5.8.5.3 Responsibility towards Parents, Siblings and other Family Members…………136 5.8.5.4 Responsibility towards Others …………………………………………………139 5.9 Facilitators of Entrée …………………………………………………………...140 5.9.1 Entrée Facilitated by Family……………………………………………………141 5.9.2 Entrée Facilitated by Others…………………………………………………….141 5.9.3 Entrée Facilitated by Self……………………………………………………….143 5.9.4 Entrée Facilitated by Friends …………………………………………………..144 5.10 Sex Workers’ Marital Status…………………………………………………....147 5.11 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………...149 Chapter 6: The Nature and Organization of Sex Work in Douala 6.1 Introduction…………………. ………………………………………………...150 6.2 Types of Sex Work: Indoors, Streets and Both ………………………………..151 6.3 Reasons for Selection of Sex Work Type………………………………………155 6.3.1 Street-Based Solicitations………………………………………………………155 6.3.2 Indoor-Based Solicitations………………………………………………….…..158 6.4 Venues for Sex Work in Douala………………………………………………..160 6.5 Client Selection Criteria………………………………………………………...161 6.5.1 Cleanliness……………………………………………………………………...161 6.5.2 Price…………………………………………………………………………….161 6.5.3 Respectful, Mature/ Young and Sober……………………………………….…162 6.5.4 White and/ or Black………………………………………………………….…163 6.5.5 Attractiveness, Elegance and Physique………………………………………....164