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LISTEN: Advocate For Sex Workers Says Former New Haven Cop Should Be Charged Over Rape Allegations

Thomas Breen
/
New Haven Independent
Protesters gather outside the New Haven Police Department on April 21, 2021.

Demonstrators outside New Haven Superior Court in mid-April called for the arrest of former New Haven Police Officer Gary Gamarra. This after two Fair Haven sex workers accused him of rape and the state's attorney’s office decided not to file charges -- despite the former officer’s admission of sexual contact with the two women. Gamarra has claimed the sex was consensual.

Karolina Ksiazek is the director of advocacy for the Sex Workers and Allies Network, or SWAN. That’s a local group with a mission to get things like food and medical supplies to city sex workers.

She joined Connecticut Public Radio’s All Things Considered to talk about the issue. She and her group strongly believe the state’s attorney has made a mistake in this case.

We reached out to the city of New Haven and to Gamarra’s attorney to hear their side. Neither responded to our request for comment.

John Henry Smith is Connecticut Public’s host of All Things Considered, its flagship afternoon news program. He's proud to be a part of the team that won a regional Emmy Award for The Vote: A Connecticut Conversation. In his 21st year as a professional broadcaster, he’s covered both news and sports.

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