THE CONDOM QUANDARY

listed among examples of physical evidence. For example, according to Jiangsu Province’s
“Guiding Opinions Regarding the Handling of Prostitution and Solicitation Cases” and the
Quanzhou City PSB’s Provisions Regarding Investigating and Prosecuting Prostitution and
Solicitation Cases: “When public security bureaus handle prostitution cases, they should
pay attention to collect and secure the following physical evidence: a) reports from the
public, the police station report register, notes taken at the scene, investigation notes; b)
condoms and aphrodisiacs used by the prostitute or client that were collected at the scene;
c) seized proceeds of prostitution, other property obtained through prostitution, records of
payments to prostitutes and so on.” 56
There is an understanding among some police that condoms shouldn’t be equated with
prostitution. For example, one leader of a public order squad in Wuhan was quoted in the
media as saying: “Condoms are only one form of evidence, and other conditions should
be satisfied, such as a specific group of people, a specific establishment and specific
behavior.” 57 Some PSB officers have reported that condoms can usually only serve as
collateral evidence, and the main method to collect evidence is to detain sex workers during
a transaction, and obtain confessions from the individuals involved. 58
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