New Delhi, 26 May: Considering the work of sex workers as a profession, the Supreme Court has directed all the states and union territories not to interfere in their work. A bench headed by Justice L Nageswara Rao said that no action should be taken in the matter of consensual sex.
During the hearing on Thursday, the court said that sex workers also have the right to live with dignity and safety under the law. When it is proved that the sex worker is an adult and she is having sex of her own free will, then the police should refrain from interfering in it. Every citizen of the country has the right to live with dignity under Article 21. In such a situation, when the police raid, do not disturb the sex worker. The court said that it is illegal to run a brothel, but it is not illegal to have sex of your own free will.
The court said that no child can be separated from its mother. A minor child found in brothels or residing with sex workers should not be deemed to have been trafficked.
The court said that if a sex worker has been subjected to sexual violence, then she should be provided immediate treatment and she should be given all the facilities which are available to the victim of sexual harassment.
The court directed the Press Council of India to appeal to journalists not to reveal the identity of the sex worker, whether the victim or the accused, when the police conduct raids or conduct any drive.
