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July 20, 2012

Report: Police Confiscating Condoms from Sex Workers 
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A new report has found police in major U.S. cities are confiscating
condoms from sex workers, putting them at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS.
Human Rights Watch says police are harassing and threatening transgender
women and sex workers, and even arresting them solely for carrying
condoms. In at least three cities, prosecutors introduced condoms as
evidence at trials. Some sex workers who were afraid to carry condoms
reported having unprotected sex or using plastic bags as substitutes.
The report also notes widespread profiling and other abuses by police,
including reports police in Los Angeles and New York City demanded sex
in exchange for dropping charges and coerced women into sex while they
were detained.

 

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