Protect Sex Workers by Telling New York That Carrying Condoms Is Not a Crime

by Alex DiBranco · 2010-12-17 12:01:00 UTC
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Since we reported in January on outrageous police policies in Washiginton, DC, New York City, and San Francisco, CA, in which condoms are being used as evidence of prostitution, essentially criminalizing safe sex preparations, a steady stream of Change.org members have denounced the policy. At this time, over 20,000 emails have been sent to the mayors of NYC, DC, and San Francisco telling them that carrying condoms isn't a crime and to direct police and prosecutors to stop treating it that way.

Today, December 17, is International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. Sex workers are a whopping 18 times more likely to be killed than other women; as Tracy Clark-Flory explores on Salon's Broadsheet, sex workers make attractive targets because they have to work their illegal trade in secret and often fear going to the police to report violence. In addition, police often take crimes against sex workers less seriously, heightening their vulnerability to somebody who wants to kill without having the full force of the law coming down after him.

As Audacia Ray writes for the Guardian, "It is not just violent clients who hurt sex workers." State policies and stigma create the vulnerability these primarily women face, jeopardizing their lives and health. Ray focuses on problems in Uganda in particular, but we don't need to go overseas to see policies harmful to sex workers. I can look right in my own backyard, New York City, and see how we're putting sex workers at risk by criminalizing carrying the items that can protect them against HIV/AIDS.

The Urban Justice Center, which runs the Sex Workers Project, has created a petition pressuring New York State legislators to finally pass a bill (that's been introduced multiple times) that would ban the use of condoms as evidence. Join them and 4,000 Change.org members in protecting sex workers' right to protect themselves against fatal disease as a first step toward improving these women's safety.

Photo credit: uberzombie

Alex DiBranco is a Change.org Editor who has worked for the Nation, Political Research Associates, and the Center for American Progress. She is now based in New York City.

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