Lone prostitutes working in fear

Vulnerable prostitutes operating a growing number of one-woman brothels are being robbed by clients and molested by police officers who demand free sex after visiting on the pretext of carrying out checks, a rights group claims.

Zi Teng, a sex workers' rights group, says the problem is becoming widespread because more and more women - often single mothers or married women with families - are being forced into the sex trade because of economic hardship.

In one case, a prostitute was left bruised and bleeding after two assaults in as many days. She claims a police officer forced her to sign a made-up statement when she reported the attacks.

Zi Teng's bimonthly newsletter has featured a 'rogues' gallery' of descriptions of five of the worst offenders as a warning to women.

A spokeswoman for the group, Yim Yuet-lin, said it had written to police six months ago and again late last month to express its concern, but had had no response. However, police said they would be prepared to meet representatives of the group.

Ms Yim said there were cases in which police officers refused to pay after sex. 'They show their warrant cards and then tell the workers: 'You know what to do',' she said. 'There have also been more reports that the sex workers were robbed by clients. It's difficult to avoid the problems as they are alone in the flat.'