HC judge stresses need to rehabilitate sex workers

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Jan 11, 2015: Majority of sex workers in the society have chosen the  profession not out of choice, but  due to force and also  several other factors like poverty and illiteracy, said Justice N Kumar, Karnataka High Court Judge and President of Karnataka Judicial Academy.

He was speaking after inaugurating a two-day workshop on ‘Perspectives of marginalized women and law’ for judicial officers at the Zilla Panchayat office on January 10, Saturday. The workshop was jointly organised by the Karnataka Arogya Samvardhana Pratishtana, Samvedana AIDS prevention Society and  Karnataka Judicial Academy.

Continuing, he urged the society not to look down upon sex workers as criminals and instead consider them as victims of circumstances. He also stressed the need for legal action against those responsible for pushing innocent women into flesh trade.

There should be all out efforts to rehabilitate sex workers and help them lead a life of respect, Justice Kumar said.

S Murugan, City Police Commissioner informed about the operation of anti-trafficking cells which help in rescuing women.

Hephsiba Rani Koralpati, City Corporation Commissioner, AN Venugopal Gowda,  High Court Judge and Administrative Judge of DK, AB Ibrahim, Deputy Commissioner, Dr Sharanappa, SP and others were present.