2025/10/15 by Paule González-Recio, Lynzi Armstrong, María Alonso-Colón +4 · 1 voice
Medicine · Psychology · Social Sciences · #HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk #Sex work and related issues #Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology
paper · doi:10.1080/26895269.2025.2573833
openalex publication_date 2025/10/15 · openalex created_date 2025/10/16 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
Background Epistemic injustice is a form of injustice directly related to knowledge in which, based on prejudicial assumptions, the knowledge of marginalized communities is not acknowledged or respected. Epistemic injustice against trans sex workers is crucial to consider in the current context of debates around sex work criminalization and the push to implement the Nordic model in Spain and other countries globally.Aim To explore how epistemic injustice may be evident in the experiences of trans sex workers residing in Spain in relation to sex work criminalization, as well as the possible impact these experiences may have on their mental health.Methods Qualitative study based on data from 16 in-depth semi-structured interviews with trans sex workers residing in Spain. A reflexive thematic analysis was undertaken, using a combined deductive and inductive approach to coding based on an epistemic injustice framework.Results Three themes were developed regarding epistemic injustice in the context of sex work criminalization: (1) refusal to listen, (2) infantilization and dehumanization, and (3) institutional neglect and hypocrisy. Two themes were developed regarding the impact of this injustice on trans sex workers’ mental health: (1) sadness and loneliness; and (2) uncertainty and anxiety.Conclusions Epistemic injustice is a harmful consequence of sex work criminalization. Trans sex workers face an unfair credibility deficit that is used to silence them by political parties and neo-abolitionist feminists. Suffering this injustice negatively impact trans sex workers’ mental health in various ways. Sex workers should be respected and considered valid knowers on legislative processes that deeply affect their lives and health.