THE CONDOM QUANDARY

Verbal humiliation: Seven interview respondents across all gender categories reported that
police verbally abused them, including making disparaging remarks about their profession,
and with respect to male and transgender female sex workers, verbally abusing them for
their sexual orientation and gender expression.
Physical violence: Twelve interview respondents reported that police physically abused
them. Police violence occurred during police questioning at the scene and in the police
station. Interview respondents reported that police used physical violence to make them
confess, and to sign the record of interview. Interview respondents reported various forms
of physical violence, including slapping, kicking, punching, beating, and having their head
banged against the wall.
Extortion and corruption: Because public security officers have considerable discretion
over what penalties to impose, they are in a position to take advantage of sex workers
and extort bribes from them. Eight interview respondents reported that the police extorted
bribes from them in exchange for a release. The amounts that the police extorted ranged
from 3000 RMB (US$469) to 30000 RMB (US$4688). 12 interview respondents were fined,
six reported that they weren’t given a receipt; one said he was given a hand written receipt
without any official stamp on it. They suspected the money went into the police officers’
pockets. Interview respondents reported that they paid cash for the fine, though according
to Chinese law, fines should be paid at the bank. 121 One interview respondent even reported
that the police took him to an ATM to get money to pay the fine, because he didn’t have
enough cash on him. 122 Four interview respondents reported that after police found
condoms, they confiscated their valuables, including cash and a watch. These interview
respondents reported that they didn’t receive any certificate documenting the items
confiscated.
5.3 Impact on HIV response
5.3.1 On condom behavior
Police searching for and confiscating condoms for use as evidence of prostitution is widely
reported by sex workers of all gender categories. These practices have a negative impact
on sex workers’ decision to use and carry condoms, and on entertainment venue owners’
willingness to provide them. Ten interview respondents reported that in order to avoid being
penalized, they would promptly dispose of their condoms when encountering the police,
for example, by throwing their condoms out the window or flushing them down the toilet. 123
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