Organisations march against violation of sex workers’ rights
In addition to these raids its is alleged that their property was damaged and their passports, cellphones, anti-retro viral medication destroyed.
EMALAHLENI- Members of human rights organisations SWEAT, Sisonke, Women’s Legal center, TAC and section 27 demonstrated outside Witbank Police station today.
They condemned the assault and human rights violations allegedly perpetrated by the police against sex workers, and vandalism of property within the sex workers’ houses.
This comes after police recently raided the private homes of sex workers and arrested sex workers in Witbank.
In addition to these raids its is alleged that their property was damaged and their passports, cellphones, anti-retro viral medication destroyed.
“We do not know how widespread the issue of abuse is as the sex workers are scared to talk and damage to property especially unacceptable given on going unwarranted police raiding’s in the area,’’ says one of the sex workers in the area
It is alleged that the arrested sex workers have been denied access to their anti-retro viral medication.
“This is not only a violation of their rights but has also led to their treatment interruption or defaulting treatment altogether. As a coalition of organizations working in health and rights, we are extremely concerned about the gross human rights violations that are being committed by the police. These abuses are frequent and escalating with officers being complicit in the terrorising of these community members. An official complaint has been lodged with the South African Police Service,” said Sharon White the Director of Re-Action.
“A huge consequence of this type of police brutality against sex workers causes additional obstacles to accessing chronic medication and healthcare services that they need, ultimately affecting care, treatment and adherence” she adds.
Read: A glimpse into the life of a sex worker
Also read:Sex workers want prostitution legalised
