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Sex Worker Rights in Cambodia: Caught Between the Tiger and the Crocodile
By: Priscila Néri
Posted: Sep 17 08
Witnessed: 7906 times
Regions: Asia, Cambodia
Issues: HIV-AIDS, Police brutality, Sexual rights
Tags: Cambodia, HIV/AIDS, sex workers
In Cambodia, the 100% Condom Use Policy - created to "protect" sex workers and curb HIV/AIDS - is reportedly being used by local police as an instrument to harass, persecute, and criminalize sex workers.
Caught Between the Tiger and the Crocodile, produced by Asia Pacific Network of Sex Workers (APNSW), tells the stories of women that have been arrested for carrying condoms, which are then used as evidence of sex work (illegal after new anti-trafficking laws were introduced earlier this year).
Once arrested, these women are sent to "rehabilitation centers" - facilities advertised as job-training centers by the government, but denounced by local groups as inhumane prisons.
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Comments
They are not quiet
By jackquil36 on Feb 25 10
Sex workers are far from silent on these issues. In Cambodia sex workers had already been successfully raising public attention about police brutality and rights’ violations. One of the two "detention centers" has been closed. The sex workers have been honored with an award from Human Rights Watch and have gone on to make many more videos about what life really looks like for sex workers in the Asia Pacific, proving that "only rights can stop the wrongs."
What does APNSW actually do?
By lohwengk on Jul 9 09
I looked at their website, but it is not clear what they actually do.
What is their core mission and how are they carrying it out?
While it is unfortunate that prostitutes are being sent to prison, the article implies that they are doing the work voluntarily. From what I know, especially in many 3rd World countries, most prostitution is forced by criminals. So what is the real situation and who does the APNSW actually represent or try to protect?