Denial of Justice: Sex Workers Fight Against Discrimination in Aid for Rape Victims

[Sweet Emily J 172062]

Denial of Justice: Sex Workers Fight Against Discrimination in Aid for Rape Victims

 

https://www.slixa.com/late-night/351-denial-of-justice-sex-workers-fight-against

 

In September of 2012, Ms. R, a sex worker in Oakland, California, was beaten, robbed, and raped in her apartment by a man who had contacted her through her advertisement on Redbook. Rape victims in general have to contend with mountains of bureaucracy, shaming, and disbelief in order to get justice or support, but in Ms. R's case, that advertisement made it even harder. The fact that she had met her rapist through Redbook meant that the State of California was able to deny her basic assistance.

 

Like many poor and uninsured victims of violent crimes, Ms. R filed a request for assistance from the California Victim Compensation Program (CalVCP), which helps people out with expenses like medical treatment or mental health care. By the time people go to CalVCP, they're usually desperate; by the agency's own rules, you're ineligible for funds if you have any other means of getting them, whether that's insurance, a wealthy aunt, or a court ruling. The program's very existence shows good intentions on California's part. But as they say, intentions aren't magic, and in any case, California's intentions don't extend to sex workers. CalVCP's regulations disqualify anyone who was hurt while "involved" in an act of prostitution. That includes not only sex workers, but clients and support staff (e.g., drivers, bouncers, etc.)

 

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