Police in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles and San Francisco are stopping suspected sex workers and searching them for condoms. They then arrest the suspects and use their condoms as evidence against them.
Afraid of getting arrested and humiliated, some sex workers have stopped carrying condoms. According to L.A. sex worker Carol F., "After the arrest, I was always scared...There were times when I didn't have a condom when I needed one, and I used a plastic bag."
Unfortunately, prostitution will continue with or without the use of condoms. Sex without a condom encourages the spread of STDs. Please tell law enforcement to stop using condoms against suspected sex workers.
To: New York City, Washington D.C., Los Angeles and San Francisco,
We, the undersigned, are concerned that police in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles and San Francisco are stopping suspected sex workers and searching them for condoms. We understant that, after finding condoms, officers arrest the suspects and use their condoms as evidence against them.
Afraid of getting arrested and humiliated, some sex workers have stopped carrying condoms. According to L.A. sex worker Carol F., "After the arrest, I was always scared...There were times when I didn't have a condom when I needed one, and I used a plastic bag."
Unfortunately, prostitution will continue with or without the use of condoms. We understand the need to crack down on prostitution, but sex without a condom encourages the spread of STDs. For this reason, we urge you to stop using condoms against suspected sex workers. Thank you for taking the time to read and consider our petition.
