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The hypocrisy of criminalized prostitution

07/18/07

The hypocrisy of criminalized prostitution

Permalink 07:13:37 pm, Categories: Life Views, 896 words

I spent a lot of time learning about this topic before I was confident enough to write about it. I spent a lot of time watching documentaries, reading research and studies and speaking to people around me before I put my fingers to the keyboard.

The reason I am writing this is not because I have any type of desire to use the services of a prostitute but because I understand the hypocrisy and unjustness of criminalizing prostitution.

First lets have a look why it is illegal... I asked around and the only reasons I could seem to find was because it is, "immoral" and "degrading". So basically the reason appears to be religious moral conditions more than any actual real crime or harm being done to either the buyer or the seller.

What society has done by criminalising prostitution has allowed some very vulnerable people to become victims to some of the worst types of abuse. Females and males who work in the industry can be subjected to rape without any type of recourse from the law for fear of being arrested themselves.

So basically, because we are offended by the concept and idea of the type of work someone has chosen to do, we just sit back and allow their hurt and abuse to continue. I'm sorry, you cant take the moral high ground on this one. If you seriously think that we should continue to create victims because of some warped morality code than I cant hold any type of respect for you. You are committing a great crime by allowing these woman to be abused, then by legalizing the industry. Morality should not be legislated!

Now I want to move onto the "degrading" argument that was constantly thrown my way. I emailed and got into contact with a couple of people who work in the industry to get a more balanced view point on the topic, and get their thoughts on the criminalization of prostitution. The responses I got back where professional and interesting and to the letter, not one of them thought their job was degrading.

Most of the people I contacted in fact informed me that they loved their jobs and what they did and a couple even mentioned it was more than about the money. Their point of view seemed to center around the fact that they considered themselves sexually "mature" and did not see any type of sin or evilness with sex.

A couple of the people I spoke to appeared already to be the victims of society with no other resources available to them. One of the ladies explained how her husband had left her with three kids and they were basically starving on the side of the road before she entered the industry. Now she is able to look after herself and her kids, and is putting them all through school.

Another important point we have to look at is the crime associated with prostitution. Yes, there is a pretty large criminal element associated with prostitution but as studies have shown... that element is there because the act of prostitution is criminalized. Because prostitutes are considered to be committing a crime they are unable to use the protective services a lot of society has to offer, and so in turn, have to associate themselves with less savoury characters to get some type of protection from the sicker parts of humanity.

If you legalize it, most of the criminal element should leave with it. This has been shown over and over again when countries like the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, New Zealand and even an American and Australian state who have all started the process of legalizing it.

In the state of Nevada where prostitution has been legalized and is regulated, results have shown that the STD rate amongst the prostitutes in that state are lower than those of the general public. Also, because the woman are more educated in safer sex and are protected there has not being a single case of AIDS in the Nevada legalized prostitution industry.

This topic should be very simple for us. You have no right to tell someone else what they can and can not do with their body, and no one has the right to tell you what to do with yours. If you choose to sell your body services off as a toilet janitor, a politician or a prostitute that should be YOUR choice. Whether you are offended by the idea or not, prostitution has and most likely will always have a roll and to play and a part in our society. Even in countries in the Middle East where prostitution is punishable by death it continues. Sex is legal, money is legal, sex for money is illegal... unless its in front of a camera, and its just porn, and then its legal. You cant be serious?

Now we can choose to be hypocrites and allow this abuse to continue in the name of some imaginary moral conviction or you can do the right thing, and help protect these woman by decriminalizing the industry.

In the closing words of Penn & Teller episode on the subject of prostitution, if you think its disgusting and degrading. Don't do it.

I would like to point out, that I never had the desire or need to use the services of a prostitute.

Permalink 5 comments

Comments:

Comment from: Valintino [Visitor]
Hello, Your site is great. Regards, Valintino Guxxi
Permalink 07/19/07 @ 00:53
Comment from: Tara [Visitor]
Do you really believe that legalisation would be the answer? And you mention not seeing a prostitute yourself twice - something you might want to divulge? Good article tho and well constructed we need to here more of your thoughts and feelings you definitely have your finger on the pulse of the street - (no pun intended)
Permalink 08/01/07 @ 11:26
Comment from: pb [Member]
Hey Tara,

Thanks for responding, but I am not to sure how to approach your question, "Do you really believe that legalisation would be the answer?"

If you could give me a clearer indication of what the question is perhaps I could be more specific I can answer more clearly if I get the gist of what you are asking wrong.

If the the question is will it solve the problem of prostitution, I don't have an answer because why is it a problem?

If the question is will legalizing it solve a lot of the problems currently associated with prostitution, then the answer is yes. If you have a regulated industry you have less room for the predators in our society to move in. As has being shown over and over again in countries that have begun the process of decriminalizing the industry... a lot of the crime and slime associated with the industry go with it. In my post I do list those countries, and more specifically, the state of Nevada, where you can do side by side comparisons with states that are demographically associated with Nevada.

Regarding my reaffirming the not using a prostitute comment... well there is a story to that. While researching this article the most common question I got (by just about everyone), is have I used the services of an escort. This appears to be an ongoing joke in email correspondence with readers of my blog. I have not ever needed the services of a prostitute and I cant envision using their services. However, I personally do not have a problem with the concept of willing seller, willing buyer. I would have a problem if there is an unwilling seller involved.

Hope my response is able to answer your questions.
Permalink 08/01/07 @ 12:47
Comment from: Tara [Visitor]
well with regard to the question of whether I feel it should be legalised - I declare moral high ground and say no - if sex is sold so freely on the streets will it not encourage more of the children seeking a better life to relegate to the streets in search of money only to be abused even further and I do not clearly see the arguement about the countries where legalisation has taken place I have been to some of the countries of which you speak and it is a under the capret issue - usually they are more 1st world in attitude so it is not as it would be in an African country where life is much harsher due to the many hardships that the people incur on a daily basis.

Well if an escort was offered to you and you did not have to pay - would you indulge in a fantasy or two?
Permalink 08/01/07 @ 13:04
Comment from: pb [Member]
So let me get this right Tara, you would prefer the woman to stay abused, beaten and in the crime hole they are in now...instead of trying to do you best to make sure they have a safe and healthier environment? How do you weigh up the morality of that?

Surely protecting life is more important than allowing it to be hurt because the concept of their line of work (that hurts no one) is offensive to you? I'm failing to grasp your reasoning here.

I understand that you don't like the idea, so my advice to you is don't do it. However, there are people who want to do that line of work, and on what real basis do you have to deny that? Porns okay but prostitutes are not? They both get paid to have sex....

Would you like to compare stats on first world country results from carmelized prostitution? What do you think about the fact that prostitutes in Nevada have less STD`s than females in other jobs?

I can understand how you might find their vocation unappealing, but on the same note, I would find cleaning out public toilets more demeaning. Whats the difference between selling your body for labour in a deep mine and selling your body for sex?

Another thing I want you think about, is if its willing buyer, willing seller.. what right do you have to tell a person what they can and can not do with their bodies? Do you thinks its acceptable to legislate morality?
Permalink 08/01/07 @ 13:17

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