Should prostitution be made illegal in the UK?
Prostitution has always been a very controversial topic and is widely recognised as ‘the oldest profession’, but despite this, it is still happening today globally despite different states of legality. Prostitution is legal in approximately 72 countries around the world today and there are many different opinions on whether it should be legal or not, with people against it for the protection of people involved in the industry or people who believe that sex should only be allowed after marriage and believe that the act of prostitution is indecent. In these cases, people are against either the underground market prostitution creates or just sex, both of which could be seen as illogical as sex is
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This is the opinion that prostitution should be legal because it would be easier to combat the system of illegal drug use and abuse that goes on within the illegal sex trade industry. In addition to this, if prostitution was legal, sex workers who have faced abuse could go to the police without fear of being prosecuted themselves. Gary Ridgway, an American serial killer who murdered at least 49 sex workers over the course of 19 years said that he murdered prostitutes because he knew it would not be a priority for investigating and he thought he would not be held accountable for the murders. If prostitution was not an underground activity, it would be a lot easier to control problems like exploitation, assault and even murder within the industry. It is estimated that if prostitution was completely legal in the USA, the total amount of rapes each year would decline by about 25%. This would be roughly 25,000 less rape cases per year. A study from Church et al in 2001 found that 81% of prostitutes in London or the UK had experienced client violence with 50% saying this had happened in the last six months. These shocking statistics revealed that 47% of these people (yes, people) had been slapped, punched or kicked, 25% had been held against their will, 20% had been strangled, 20% had been kidnapped and 72% had suffered with rape or attempted rape. So if …show more content…
Although I believe that these things should stay the same, I think that there should be better support systems for people who have been forced into prostitution and for people who wish to leave the industry, but feel that they cannot. There are already some good charities working to help people in these situations and trying to help prostitutes suffering from abuse, like the charities ‘Beyond the Streets’ or ‘Street Light UK’, but charities like these need better funding and ways to reach people in every area and situation. Prostitutes are people. They deserve just as much respect and rights as anybody else. Hiring a prostitute is like hiring an actor, you can use them for your own entertainment and pleasure in a contract that they agree on, but you do not have the right to force them to do something they are uncomfortable doing and you cannot harm them in any way as they do not belong to you. Yes, you have hired them, but you are not their boss, so you have no right to control them or discipline
Prostitution is one of the oldest professions in history. In this modern age there are several classes of prostitutes with several methods of finding work, but they still face violence in their business. Though prostitutes are frowned upon by society and treated as criminals, under the law they should not be scrutinized by the morals of the people. Prostitutes frequently feel they have no options due to their illegal work, should they be assaulted they cannot turn to the police since many officers refuse to aid them as criminals. Prostitution should be regulated to fight human trafficking, increase quality of life for the women working in the industry, and generate taxes for the government while reducing the cost of dealing with prostitution.
In the article 'Legalized Prostitution' the author, Mark Liberator, shares his views on legalizing prostitution. He believes because of women's specialized roles in society, they should be allowed to use sex as a service that can be bartered for goods and money, and by using these specialized roles, the author explains that allowing prostitution in the United States could lower a majority of murder and rape cases, and can decrease the amount of suicides and divorces. By making prostitution legal, Liberator also thinks that it will allow law enforcement to respond faster to more important crimes, help women that use prostitution as a career path, and will prevent teens from being trapped into prostitution. Though Liberator states his case strongly, and has statistics that help prove his point, his logic has holes that could even make cocaine, heroin, and other illegal drugs legal. Liberator states that our primal desires should not be ignored or suppressed, but instead should be managed. If this is the case, then should our first instincts to lie, cheat, steal, and kill should also be managed? No. Managing these things, and not suppressing them, means that we are making it legal to rob stores, lie about it, and kill anyone who disagrees with our reasons as to why we?ve committed the crime. Not only that, but if we make prostitution legal, it is possible that there could be an overflow of prostitutes, that would create larger drug chains, which could ruin our countries credibility as a safe place to live. I feel that legalizing prostitution is the first small step to that future, and that we should avoid making prostitution tolerable in America.
Prostitution, as stated by Flemming, is known as a form of sexual activity, a kind of sexual style or category, and a form of economic activity, a way of making a living through the provisions of certain services, by behaving in accordance with, or falling into such a category (39). This definition, though, is controversial. While conducting research for this project, we found that most topics regarding prostitution and its affiliates were controversial. Each author gave a differing interpretation for the same data. Due to this, our project centered on the female prostitutes, even though there is evidence of male prostitutes.
Prostitution doesn't give people the right to have healthcare or any of the other benefits that the normal working class has(cnn). If the workers were given employment rights they would not have to worry about having a pimp or a customer beating them and not being able to tell any form of law enforcement. “Giving them employment rights would keep sexually transmitted diseases from spreading because the workers would have healthcare and would be able to be seen by a doctor and have the tests done so that if they do have them they can use the proper protection to keep it from spreading” (businessinsider). Sex workers need to have this whether it is legal or not because a person's safety should be the number one priority.
“There is no difference in work in which a women sells her hands, such as a typist, and a work in which a women sells her vagina, as in sex work.” Claims author Lacy Sloan. In today’s society, many people believe that prostitution is an immoral act. It is the world’s oldest profession and because it has been long condemned, sex workers are stigmatized from mainstream society (ProQuest Staff). However, the act of purchasing sex between consenting adults should not be prohibited by the government, but regulated for society's overall best interests. Prostitution is illegal and as a consequence prostitutes are often victims of violence and sexual assault; therefore, prostitution should be legalized and regulated to ensure the safety of sex workers.
Prostitution has been as issue in many societies around the world for almost all of recorded history. There has been evidence of brothels and prostitution dating far back into human history. Many different societies have different views, ideals, and reservation about the matter. Some cultures around the world view it as a necessary evil for people who need to support themselves and their families. Others view it as morally evil and socially destructive; helping to rot our society from the inside out. Even still there are cultures who don’t view it as evil at all and even a normal part of life. A person’s view on the act is formed largely based on the culture they are living in. Even sub cultures inside of larger one can have different view on the matter, such as religious groups that denounce it, to some groups in the same culture that say it is okay. Even the gauge of how industrialized a country can determine how that culture views prostitution, with many third world countries being more lenient on the matter, and many first world countries being much more strict on the matter, such as the some of the countries in Europe and also the United States.
...compelling arguments, however, it is possible that in a situation such as this, a solution may best be reached through compromise such as the legalization of brothels. Regardless, the individuals in sex work don’t deserve to be denounced in the manner they are. Ultimately they are using their bodies to make money just as a construction worker or professional figure skater is and should not be punished for simply getting paid to do something that many strangers would do for a lot less.
When discussing the adult sex industry one must understand the differences between human trafficking, sex slavery, and prostitution. An individual also has to taken into consideration why another individual would choose prostitution as means of income verses any other job that doesn’t include the buying and selling of sex. One must be able to empathize with the individuals who choose prostitution and be able to take into consideration some factors that may lead an individual to prostitution as a means of economic trade. Such factors might include; the country these individuals live in, their living conditions, education, social and economic status and various other reasons. When understanding the topic of prostitution an individual must realize that it has been one of the oldest forms of trade and comprehend that prostitution is a profession and a in most cases a choice as a means of survival.
Little do most know, but on “[a]verage [prostitution] arrest[s], court and incarceration costs amount to nearly $2,000 per arrest. Cities spend an average of 7.5 million dollars on prostitution control every year, ranging from 1 million dollars to 23 million dollars.” Prostitution is the oldest known profession. Currently in 49 countries and counting prostitution is legal. Here in America there is a stigma following the label prostitute. We would rather resort to underground markets of sex labor. Endangering health, rights, and economics. Legalizing prostitution can reduce health hazards by giving heath care, also by giving rights to those that choose prostitution as their profession. In the long term this
In conclusion, prostitution is said to be the world’s oldest profession. Prostitution has evolved throughout the years and it has caused much controversy cross-culturally and historically and which has many individuals reexamining the logistics of it. It has affected our society in many ways, for it could be looked at as a harmful threat just as a way to get by and pay the bills.
Prostitution is the occupational service where sexual acts are exchanged for payment. Opinions of prostitution have changed drastically over the course of half a century, and are being debated worldwide. Prostitution is a very controversial topic, however there are claims that legalizing prostitution could create an overall safer environment, not only for the sex workers but the rest of society. There has been many alterations in prostitution laws and enforcement practices in several countries. Many nations have created new laws or intensified existing penalties for prostitution-related offences such as soliciting sex, purchasing sex, or pimping. Some other societies are experimenting with policies that securitize prostitution.The claims proposing these regulations are important because they are directly opposed to both the conventional benefits of prostitution and the specific allegations of anti-prostitution crusaders. In Canada and the UK, the exchange of sex for money is not illegal. However, the activities that go along with prostitution are criminal offences.“In March 2012, the Ontario Court of Appeal upheld a ban on establishments for the purposes of prostitution, which effectively makes street prostitution illegal. In the US, most jurisdictions, prostitution, solicitation, or agreeing to engage in an act of prostitution are classified as illegal. With the exception of licensed brothels in certain areas in Nevada. In the Netherlands,prostitution was legalized in the mid-1800s but it wasn’t until recently, the 1980s sex work became a legal profession. Restrictions on brothels and pimping were lifted in October 2000 and the industry is now securitized by labour law. Prostitutes are registered as legal workers....
Prostitution is one of the most controversial subjects in the United States. There are many pros and cons to this subject. Should prostitution be legalized? Or should it stay illegal with no chance of becoming decriminalized? Some researchers confirm that prostitution is indeed the most ancient profession, while others argue with it; however, everybody agrees that trading sex for money has existed for quite a while. Prostitution is still a part of modern society. The fact speaks for itself, as there will always be a demand for the services that it provides, prostitution will exist in some form no matter what.
This essay will explore the question of whether prostitution should be seen as a job like any other through several key issues relating to the sex trade industry. The argument against prostitution as a job for women will be supported by various feminist theories. By following the discourse of prostitution as a chosen profession by women and the implication of the choice in the society, this essay will provide academic findings in answering the key issues in the sex workers profession. This essay will discuss the politics of women’s choice through prostitution and how feminist views have influenced it. The moral aspects of prostitution will be highlighted as well. The relationship of violence and abuse with prostitution is another key findings
According to ProCon.org, prostitution was a profession that dated back to 2400 B.C. Though many things since then have changed, the practice of selling sex has been more or less the same. What has changed is the way that people now view the practice. Throughout the years the debate has been whether prostitution should become legal or illegal. Organizations like Amnesty International want to push forward the idea of legalizing consensual “sex work” between two adults who are willingly participating because it would help keep those in that line of work safer than they are now. While on the other side of the issue there are
“The exchange of sexual favors between partners within a relationship for money is just one of the various ways of expressing and carrying out human sexuality”. Prostitution is the oldest profession in the world and it has helped several women to earn a living for themselves and their families from times immemorial. Prostitution typically refers to a wide variety of sex-for-payment arrangements. There are several countries having long and descriptive histories of this activity. India is one of those countries. From the Rigveda, it is found that there were women who were common to several men and were known as courtesans or prostitutes. Back in the era of kingdoms, the concubines were also granted regal status. However, scenario