Lima, July 5, 2007-- Violence against women doing sex work in the La Victoria area of Lima, Peru has increased since the municipality of La Victoria financed the creation of a special security patrol called the “Black Panthers” whose goal is to eliminate prostitution in the area. In violation of the rights set out in the constitution, Black Panthers prevent women from circulating freely in the area, including when they are not working or simply in transit.

In one such case, on the fourth of July 2007, at noon, a group of eight sex workers led by Angela Villon, director of the sex worker association “Miluska, Life and Dignity” were physically and psychologically attacked by dozens of men in Black Panther uniforms at the corner of Jose Galvez Street and 28 de Julio Street. The women were blocked and prevented from going to City Hall where they were to hand a statement to the Mayor protesting the increase in violence.

Incidents of physical assault and public humiliation by Black Panthers against sex workers being evicted from La Victoria are very frequent. During the incidents of July 4th, the sex workers received death threats, threats of violence and insults from the Black Panthers. One of the witnesses to the events is Martha Cecilia Ruiz, a member of Human Rights Ecuador and an ally of Flor de Azalea, Sex Workers’ Collective in Machala, Ecuador. Sex workers also received support from Tammy Quintanilla, a lawyer and director of the El Pozo Movement who accompanied the sex workers to ensure they had safe passage to City Hall where they delivered their statement.

In the statement delivered to the mayor Alberto Sanchez, “Miluska, Life and Dignity” requests the creation of an inter-institutial commission (including government representatives, sex workers and civil society) to develop long-term solutions around prostitution in La Victoria that respect the human rights of women doing sex work and avoid measures that are ineffective and repressive.

Asociación Civil de trabajadoras Sexuales
Miluska Vida y Dignidad
Av. Lima 117, Chorrillos
Teléfono: 4671115 anexo 25
Lima-Perú

Source: Miluska Press Release, Peru