StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Police Abuse to Gays - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
The paper "Police Abuse to Gays" insists police and law enforcement officers need to sign a pledge to offer safety and protection to LGBT inmates or alleged offenders. It is necessary to send a clear message to all law enforcement agencies to refrain from ill-treating or torturing LGBT inmates…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER95.2% of users find it useful
Police Abuse to Gays
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Police Abuse to Gays"

Police Abuse to Gays Incident: The arrest and subsequent treatment of Kelly McAllister, a white transgender during August 2002, by police in Sacramento, California, is a clear care of human rights. The arrest itself was very brutal and inhuman with handcuffs placed on her hands and ankles to the accompaniment of severe beating. Her repeated requests even to attend the calls of nature were also turned down. She was taken to Sacremento County Main Jail on September 6, 2002, where she was incarcerated in a basement jail with a male inmate. Here, she was also subjected to sexual abuse by this inmate. After medical examination, she was sent back to the main jail where she was subjected to more humiliation and sexual assaults by male inmates and mocked by jail authorities stating that she may have enjoyed the sexual assaults. It is reported that while in jail, she attempted to commit suicide twice. All these misdeeds occurred in grave contravention of fundamental domestic and global human rights laws, especially that relating to Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and transgender (LGBT). Despite the fact that a full investigation and report had been filed with the Sheriff’s office in Sacremento, no disciplinary action has been taken against any of the perpetrators of such brutal and inhuman actions on this woman. The above instance is only an example of the ways in which LGBT members are tortured and marginalized by the law enforcement system of this country. As has been rightly observed, “The targeting of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people for discriminatory enforcement of laws and their treatment in the hands of police needs to be understood within the larger context of identity-based discrimination, and the interplay between different forms of discrimination—such as racism, sexism, homophobia and transphobia—that create the conditions in which human rights abuses are perpetuated.” (Stonewall Police Abuse and Misconduct: Introduction). Evaluate it against relevant International Human Rights Agreements and domestic human right laws: Amnesty International is a forerunner for the cause of human rights all over the world “By highlighting instances of abuse against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) individuals, Amnestys activists work to protect members of the LGBT community whilst striving to achieve decriminalization and marriage equality.” (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Human Rights). It is indeed painful that neither the US Constitution nor the federal laws have implemented robust laws against the inhuman treatment meted out to members of LGBT, nor suitably addressing gross violation of human rights to these perhaps marginalized sections of American society. The International Human Rights Agreement could be seen in terms of directives issued by Amnesty International, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). Coming first to the directives of Amnesty International they purport that “Working with and for individuals the world over, we campaign so that every person may enjoy all of the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  We undertake research and take action aimed at preventing and ending grave abuses of these rights, demanding that all governments and other powerful entities respect the rule of law.  It means we campaign globally and locally where ever we can make a difference.” (About Amnesty International). Next coming to the ICCPR, Section 7 of the ICCPR enjoins that “No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.” (International Convent on Civil and Political Rights). Thus, there are legal precedents by which the incarceration and sadistic treatment meted out to Kelly McAllister becomes a gross violation of human rights and basic and fundamental privileges of a human being this is all the more so because she happens to be a transgender woman. Again even in the United States, it is believed that human rights for women need to be improved. Addressing United Nations’ Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the Secretary of State of the United States, Hillary Clinton, has observed that. “The subjugation of women is a threat to the national security of the United States. It is also a threat to the common security of our world, because the suffering and denial of the rights of women and the instability of nations go hand in hand. Ratification of this treaty, which enshrines the rights of women in international law, is not only in the interest of oppressed women around the world – it is in our interest as well.” (Verveer). Application of relevant theories: It is believed that the ire and racial hatred of the law enforcement system often takes its vendetta on colored people or people who belong to specific groups like Lesbians, Gays, Bisexual and transgender (LGBT). Amnesty International’s research and findings are indeed disturbing since it points to the fact that more often than not “the systematic denial of rights to certain people, is a grave human rights abuse and can often lead to further human rights abuses. Institutionalized discrimination dehumanizes its victim, who is deemed as someone who can be treated inhumanely. Institutionalized discrimination feeds impunity, denies justice and can incite violence against targeted people or groups. Discriminatory practices and policies have tremendous consequences for targeted groups not only in terms of the nature of their ill-treatment by government agents or society at large, but also in terms of their access to redress and equal protection under the law.” (Stonewalled: Police Abuse and Misconduct Against Lesbian, Gay and Transgender People in the U.S). Perhaps one of the major barriers that endangers and aggrieves LGBT group fear is reprisal and also sometimes their sexual orientation may stand in the way of getting justice from the law enforcement departments. For instance, if the investigating officer is a heterosexual he may harbor resentment against gays, and this may affect the course of justice. Moreover, it is most apparent in the case of women, especially transsexual and transgender women who may become the defendant rather than the applicant in cases involving crimes against marginalized LGBT groups. Besides, the laws are not always carried out in letter and spirit in the law enforcement departments and perhaps even less in arbitrary courts of law. When it comes to such issues, the word of law may be against people with pronounced sexually deviant behavior. While laws and enactments are available, these may not be always in favor of LGBT and it would sometimes be even more difficult to enforce them. The fact remains that while LGBT group may find themselves oppressed and marginalized in American society, except for their sexual orientations, they are like any other normal human beings in our society and so should definitely be entitled to the same powers, privileges and prestige that is accorded to non LGBT sections of society. Addressing the issue: The fact that a person’s sexual orientations should stand in the way of obtaining legal justice and freedom from persecution is indeed abominable, more so when there are strong laws that prohibits such conduct. There is no doubt that they are humans as any other, and should receive the human rights that any normal person has. Even after 4 decades after Stonewall, the minority LGBT groups are yet to become a part of the mainstream of American society and the persecution and cruelty meted out to them in the name of gender is mounting exponentially. Even their strong associative bonds and groups do not help their cause substantively, and yet they need to suffer silently and hopefully. Appropriate recommendations for changes: Perhaps a concerted effort needs to be made for tackling crimes committed on LGBT while on detention or in prison. Police and law enforcement officers need to sign a pledge to offer safety and protection to LGBT inmates or alleged offenders. Besides this, it is also necessary to send a clean and clean message to all law enforcement agencies to refrain from ill treating or torturing LGBT inmates. It is also necessary to make special arrangement investigate cases of police excesses and brutalities on LGBT and offer strong punishment to the perpetrators of police excesses on LGBT, which was not, unfortunately done in the case of Kelly McAllister. Another strong recommendation for use by the Police and Justice department is to produce a nation wide database of policemen who have been discharged due to crimes relating to ill treatment of LGBT group members. It is necessary that innocent and law abiding members of LGBT should not be harassed or victimized owing to the reason of their sexual orientations or sexual preferences alone. Works Cited About Amnesty International. Amnesty International. Web. 22 Nov. 2010. . International Convent on Civil and Political Rights. Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. 2007. Web. 22 Nov. 2010. . Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Human Rights. Amnesty International USA. 2010. Web. 22 Nov. 2010. . Stonewalled: Police Abuse and Misconduct Against Lesbian, Gay and Transgender People in the U.S. Amnesty International. 2010. Web. 22 Nov. 2010. . Stonewall Police abuse and Misconduct: Introduction. Amnesty International USA. Verveer, Melanne. Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against women. US Department of State. 2010. Web. 22 Nov. 2010. . Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(Police Abuse to Gays Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words, n.d.)
Police Abuse to Gays Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words. https://studentshare.org/gender-sexual-studies/1745522-police-abuse-to-gays
(Police Abuse to Gays Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 Words)
Police Abuse to Gays Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 Words. https://studentshare.org/gender-sexual-studies/1745522-police-abuse-to-gays.
“Police Abuse to Gays Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 Words”. https://studentshare.org/gender-sexual-studies/1745522-police-abuse-to-gays.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Police Abuse to Gays

Drug Abuse as a Crime

The research question aims at comparing the habit of drug abuse to crime considering consequences of both.... Report Links Drug abuse to Crime.... Drug abuse as a crime: Introduction: My research is about the comparison of the habit of drug abuse with crime.... Drug abuse as a crime: Introduction: My research is about the comparison of the habit of drug abuse with crime.... This division between the consequences of crime and drug abuse makes one think of the extent to which, drug abuse should be considered as a crime....
2 Pages (500 words) Research Paper

Social, Economic and Family Impact of Elderly Sexual Abuse in the U.S

Elderly sexual abuse is not a new concept but it is underreported.... hellip; Social, Economic and Family Impact of Elderly Sexual abuse in the U.... Elderly sexual abuse is not a new concept but it is underreported.... There are often emotional and psychological stresses that accompany elderly sexual abuse and many do not recover from the experience.... Defining Elder Sexual abuse Muehlbaur and Crane (2006) define elder sexual abuse as: Any nonconsensual intimate contact, such as inappropriate touching, photographing, the individual in suggestive poses, forcing the individual to look at pornography, forcing sexual contact with a third party, or any unwanted sexual behavior can be considered sexual abuse....
5 Pages (1250 words) Research Paper

The removal of children from their abusive home

These issues often range from alcoholism, drug abuse, domestic violence, child abuse, and such other forms of abuse and violence.... She mentions that the removal would initially benefit the child by taking such child away from the abuse and from the usual trauma that the child is exposed to at home....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay

Paper on Abuse Reporting

Otherwise, these professionals may be Paper on Abuse Reporting Paper on Abuse Reporting In many s, it is a legal requirement to report any suspected or actual caseof child neglect and abuse to the relevant authorities.... In relation to my thoughts on confidentiality and protecting the rights of others, I am of the opinion that it should be mandatory for anyone who notices, witnesses or suspects any form of abuse to report the matter to the authorities so that appropriate legal action can be taken....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

Should Gays be Allowed to Serve in the Military

The United States is one of the countries… For the sake of this particular argument, the American challenges and the views fronted by various people become beneficial in analyzing whether gays should be allowed to serve in the military The “don't ask, don't tell, don't pursue policy is one the policies in the USA that cannot be overlooked in such a debate.... Ultimately careful evaluation of these considerations can result to the bearing taken in analyzing whether gays should serve in the military or not....
8 Pages (2000 words) Research Paper

Current Events: Juvenile Boots Camps as the Danger of Abuse

The problem with this situation is the power that is taken from the juveniles is then One of the great problems with juvenile boots camps is the danger of abuse at the hands of camp directors and staff.... This can lead to abuse, making the boot camp experience ineffective and potentially deadly for the juveniles involved.... Other directors of boot camps acknowledge that extreme physical training is sometimes a part of their programs, but humiliation, intimidation and abuse serve no purpose....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

Analyzing the key public of CASA

The children, who have experienced abuse in many cases if not well taken care of and closely examined, can go into state of mental quandary.... They spend more time with children and so can be observant to any form of abuse their pupils are undergoing and bring that to the awareness of the organization (Hurley, 2009).... Child abuse and neglecting of children is an issue that needs addressing not only by CASA but also by the policy makers of the county (Watkins, 2009)....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

Why Child Abuse Matters

Child abuse is an important problem because children who were abused remain scarred for life.... literature on the topic suggest that abused children perform poorly in school, they are likely to abuse drugs later… Therefore, examining this problem will increase present understanding of the topic. Child abuse matters because it affects Child abuse Topic Child abuse Tentative Research Questions In what ways is child abuse related to drug abuse by parent/guardian?...
1 Pages (250 words) Essay
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us