Cops & Rubbers: A game promoting advocacy and empathy in support of public health and human rights of sex workers

Abstract

Cops and Rubbers simulates the systemic consequences the police practice of using condoms as evidence of prostitution has on sex-workers’ lives internationally. By embodying a marginalized sex worker met with unconscionable adversity, players experience the emotional struggle this population endures because of a policy that violates their health and human rights. This serious game serves as a captivating alternative advocacy tool and interactive demonstration of these policing practices that elicits heartfelt reactions and independent conclusions about the policy from average constituents to essential policymakers.