US Sex Workers at Risk For Carrying Condom

The international humanitarian organization Human Rights Watch (HRW) issued a critical report of the actions carried out by police in four of the largest cities in the United States, where possession of condoms is used as evidence to substantiate allegations of prostitution.



HRW argues that the police departments and district attorneys of New York City, Washington, DC, Los Angeles and San Francisco use the police to undermine efforts of local administrations and the federal government to control the spread of HIV/AIDS, threatening the lives of many and threatens the rights of sex workers, the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

Human Rights Watch urges authorities to enact legislation prohibiting the possession of condoms considered as evidence in cases of prostitution and related offenses.

The HRW repot is based on some 300 interview in the four cities. Interviewees included sex workers, community activists, lawyers, civil rights advocates, police, prosecutors and Health officials.