| |
| |
 |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
BANGKOK: UNAIDS, the joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS said police, with the right education, can play a pivotal role in helping to stop the spread of the disease in Asia.
Condoms save lives, but police consider them evidence of prostitution, putting sex workers at grave risk.
Thus, sex workers sometimes have to choose between protecting themselves from HIV/AIDS or risk arrest for carrying condoms.
In Asia, sex workers and intravenous drug users are the two most vulnerable groups when it comes to HIV/AIDS, and the police frequently interact with these two high risk groups.
Organisations like SWING hope that relationships of mutual respect will in turn foster the prevention and spread of the disease, and give those who need it access to treatment rather than fear of arrest.
Police cadets participate in an internship which gives them first-hand knowledge of the plight of sex workers. They study basic English and take part in other activities together.
The result is valuable experience and exposure that will aid them when they join the police force and have to uphold the law.
Warattha Wirat, Police Cadet, said: "I realise now that no one becomes a sex worker just for fun, but because they have no other choice in their lives. Last year, I was in training in an area where there were a lot of sex workers. I had to arrest them since it's my duty. But I didn't threaten them. I treated them with respect and tried to help them."
This kind of increased mutual understanding will benefit all concerned and it is not just a one-way street, considering the transmission of the deadly virus.
J.V.R Prasada Rao, director, UNAIDS Asia and Pacific, said: "Police themselves become a vulnerable group, especially at the lowest level, which is the police constable level. Where they work at the grassroots, they work with these very sections, especially with sex workers.
"And because of their law enforcing nature, they get it free of cost. They can have sex with any sex worker without anything. So they also become a vulnerable group. And from data we have seen the prevalence levels among police forces is always much more than the general population."
A collaborative approach and increased training will help all parties combat the spread of HIV/AIDS. - CNA/vm
|
