Supreme Court said – Prostitution is also a profession: Court order – Police should not harass sex workers unnecessarily
The Supreme Court on Thursday said that prostitution is also a profession. The court has ordered the police of all states and union territories that they should not interfere in the work of sex workers. Police should not take criminal action against adult and consensual sex work women.
The Supreme Court was hearing a petition filed regarding problems faced by sex workers during Corona. The court said that sex workers are also entitled to dignity and equal protection under the law.
A bench of Justice L Nageswara Rao, Justice BR Gavai and Justice AS Bopanna has also issued 6 directions to protect the rights of sex workers. The court said, sex workers are also citizens of the country. They are also entitled to equal protection under the law.
Running a brothel is illegal – Supreme Court
The bench said, every citizen of this country has got the right to lead a dignified life under Article 21 of the Constitution. If the police have to raid their house for some reason, then do not arrest or harass the sex workers. It is not illegal to become a prostitute of your own free will, it is only illegal to run a brothel.
A woman is a sex worker, just because her child cannot be separated from the mother. If the child lives with a brothel or sex worker, it does not prove that the child has been trafficked.
Police should be sensitive towards sex workers
Provide immediate help to a sex worker if any crime is committed against her, if she is sexually harassed, then she should get all the facilities, including immediate medical aid under the law, which are available to any woman who is a sexual victim. In many cases it has been observed that police adopts cruel and violent attitude towards sex workers. In such a situation, the police and agencies should also be sensitive to the rights of sex workers.
Police should treat prostitutes with respect, police should not treat them verbally or physically. No one can force a sex worker into sexual activity.
Guidelines made for media too
The court has appealed to the Press Council of India to issue guidelines for coverage of cases related to sex workers. So that the identity of sex workers is not exposed during arrest, raid or any other campaign. The court has given these orders on the recommendation of a panel set up for the rehabilitation of sex workers.
