Sex Crimes In The Criminal Justice System

Sex Crimes In the Criminal Justice System, a major problem is sex crime. Sex crimes come in different forms such as, prostitution, molestation, rape, statutory rape, possession of child pornography, aggravated sexual assault, internet sex crimes, etc. Sex crimes are defined differently by each jurisdiction, but with many of these crimes, there are borderline aspects of the crime that are the same throughout each jurisdiction. “Sex crimes generally involves illegal or coerced sexual conduct against another individual and each state has its own time limit or “statute of limitations” in which victims of sex crimes may file a lawsuit against the alleged offender. People convicted of sex crimes, regardless of severity, are considered “sex offenders”

“Sex workers, their clients and regular partners are key populations at risk for HIV infection. Contextual factors such as stigma and poverty may further exacerbate sex workers' vulnerability to HIV.” (Sex workers: HIV/AIDS, n.d.) Because sexually transmitted diseases are rampant throughout the world, sex workers are expected to practice safe sex and also regular checkups. Although sex workers are not required to know the status of their client, it is often recommended that each worker asks their clients such questions. “Interventions aimed at empowering sex workers and providing them with HIV prevention, treatment and care, and support services have proven effective in a wide range of formal and informal sex work settings.” (Sex workers: HIV/AIDS, n.d.) These programs encourage regular checkups, and gives information about one’s body and health. “Interventions promoting awareness of safe sex and diseases should include promoting and supporting condom use, detection and management of sexually transmitted infections, behavior change communication through peer outreach, HIV testing and counselling, and antiretroviral treatment.” (Sex workers: HIV/AIDS, n.d.) These steps helps to promote good health and disease

To protect sex workers, the Sex Workers Outreach Project USA has been created to bring awareness of problems sex workers face and offers a helping hand to them by providing mentors, hotlines, funding, and advocacy programs. On the SWOP USA website their mission is, “Sex Workers Outreach Project-USA is a national social justice network dedicated to the fundamental human rights of people involved in the sex trade and their communities, focusing on ending violence and stigma through education and advocacy. SWOP, at its most basic, is an anti-violence campaign. As a multi-state network of sex workers and advocates, we address locally and nationally the violence that sex workers experience because of their criminal status.” (Mission Statement , n.d.) This organization is well developed and helps to fight for the rights of individuals whose rights are ‘discontinued’ based of how society views these individuals and the career