Flesh trade moves into secure confines of apartments in Bangalore

Police crackdown on high-end brothels has sent sex workers scurrying for cover. Sex workers in the city are now moving into posh apartments considering them a safer alternative to independent bungalows.

About 20 raids have been conducted by the city police on brothels and hotels in the first seven months of this year and 92 women have been arrested for indulging in immoral trafficking.

Realising that constant movement of people is playing a prominent role in helping police zero in on them, brothel owners, mostly parlour house madams, have found that posh apartments not only camouflage their operations and but also have round-the-clock security. And though they come at a higher price, the advantages are aplenty as raids can deter clients from visiting the place.

A sex worker who has been working with an NGO for four years confirmed the trend of the flesh trade moving into posh apartments.

“Earlier brothels were operating out of independent and isolated houses. However, the constant movement of people and vehicles raised suspicion of neighbours, who tipped off the police,” the activist explained.

Apartments provide sex workers anonymity as the madam remains in touch with the clients through mobile or internet.
Central Crime Branch (CCB) ACP (women and narcotics) Guled said police are keeping a constant watch on hi-tech prostitution in the city.

“We have raided several places in the city and have arrested people involved in the trade. But those who run their business from apartments, operate behind a veil of secrecy. The moment neighbours get suspicious, they shift their business,” he said.
Apartments in Dollars Colony, Koramangala and RT Nagar are favourites among parlour houses.

The activist also attributed increase in HIV positive cases among sex workers to police raids.

“During the raid, brothel owners bribe the police not to arrest the girls and hamper their business. But it is the sex workers’ responsibility to raise the money. They sell their jewellery and even starve to raise money. They also go for unsafe sex to save money, resulting in them contracting HIV,” the activist explained.

Once a sex worker makes it to police records, police tail her to get a knowledge of other flesh trade dens in the area. So strong is the fear getting recognised that sex workers even avoid attending health check-up camps.