Raids on street walkers<\/p>\n
Raids on women suspected of being street walkers in Bogor have
\nprovoked criticism, with several people strongly protesting the
\nBogor administration's incompetence for netting the wrong persons
\nlast week.<\/p>\n
The women were just taking a stroll when several officers
\napprehended them, despite the fact that they had ID cards. They
\nwere then rushed to a rehabilitation center in the neighboring
\ntown of Sukabumi.<\/p>\n
Secretary of the Agency for People's Empowerment and Social
\nAffairs Baringin Sipayung has, however, denied all the women's
\nstatements, arguing that his men were very experienced in
\n"detecting" sex workers. Therefore, it was impossible that the
\nofficers arrested the wrong women, Sipayung claimed.<\/p>\n
It is not easy to prove who is right, but, usually the
\nauthorities "can do no wrong". Common people, who have no
\nbargaining power, have usually been victimized, even though they
\nhave done nothing against the law.<\/p>\n
In general, people support the raids on street workers, but,
\nthe implementation must be extra careful so as not to violate the
\npublic interest by arresting the wrong people.<\/p>\n
There is no single law prohibiting women from taking a walk at
\nnight in public places in this country. Women walking outdoors at
\nnight could be considered strange, but this is not against the
\nlaw, if they bring ID cards with them.<\/p>\n
Valid ID cards legitimize people's existence in the country.
\nTherefore, women walking at night without ID cards could be
\narrested and treated like street workers by officers.<\/p>\n
In this particular case, the officers should have been more
\ncareful and wiser.<\/p>\n
-- Warta Kota, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/raids-on-street-walkers-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }