‘Stop violence against women sex workers’

Speaking at a gathering of women’s groups and sex workers’ collective,Meena Seshu,Sangli-based sex workers’ collective,SANGRAM,said incidents of police raids on brothels and arrests of sex workers as part of anti-trafficking operation often result in violation of rights of women in sex work. The meeting was hosted by 365×6 — a consortium of three organisations facilitating the Maharashtra State Network of Sex Workers,MSM,Transgender and IDU – and Sangram. Representatives of organisations such as Aalochana,Muskan,Vanchit Vikas,Tathapi,Samyak,Stree mukti Sangathana,Pathfinder,Legalance and Childline participated in the meeting. A major concern voiced by the sex workers is that the police often resort to physical high-handedness while dealing with women,she said. Very often during raids,“sex workers get humiliated,beaten up and verbally abused”,she said and emphasised the fact that “while we are against forced sex work and bringing minors into sex work,we want to question the manner in which rescue operations are carried out”,she added.

She felt organisations working with sex workers are also interested in curtailing trafficking but are often wrongly perceived and not consulted and involved during such raids and rescue operations. Supporting the issues raised by the sex workers community,theatre activist Sushma Deshpande said apart from the ill treatment that they receive,their belongings are taken away and they are denied any legal or medical help while in custody.

“The custody is meant to give her some space so that she can rethink about sex work. But no help is given to her to take such a decision,” she said.

She suggested usage of theatre techniques to enable sex workers to express their wish of continuing or discontinuing in the profession.

Responding to the sex workers’ concerns,activist Sadhana Khati from Bapu Trust,said the modus operandi of raids and rescue is questionable. She demanded inclusion of members of the women rights groups in anti- trafficking committees to ensure that the sex workers are treated in a dignified way. She also urged the group to “work with the Women and Child Development Department” in addressing these issues.

“If the police is working to rescue minors fom sex trade,the same zeal should be shown in rescuing minors from child marriage,said Medha Kale from Tathapi Trust. “We must support the constitutional rights of sex workers as they are also citizens of the country,” said Sharda Sathe of Stree Mukti Sanghtana. Simrita Gopal Singh of Aalocahana said they will take up Safe City Campaign as an issue.

Dr Hemlata Pisal from MASUM said the harassment of sex workers by the police during raids and arrests should be stopped.

“As members of women’s rights groups,we should oppose all kinds of violence meted out to these communities.”

As a follow up,the women’s rights groups have decided to make a representation to the Commissioner of Police,seeking an immediate review of the manner in which raids are conducted.