Introduction:
This study will define the continued decriminalization and regulation of the sex trade in Canada and in the Netherlands. The Netherlands has historically had a progressive policy in the non-criminalization of the sex trade workers, but recently, the official regulation of laws protecting worker’s rights in the sex trade has been established. In a similar way, Canada also possessed a non-criminalized history of prostitution, which has become increasingly progressive in regulating labor rights in this commercial sector. The process of commercial recognition of the rights of sex trade workers defines why the Netherlands provides a more stable and regulated sex trade. However, the increased levels of youth prostitution in the Netherlands
…show more content…
The laws related to prostitution have not been enforced throughout much of the 20th century, which shows the commercial legacy of the sex trade. The regulation of brothels in the Netherlands is one aspect of legal changes that have been made in the past 15 years, which has provided a safer environment for prostitutes:
In 2000, the Netherlands lifted the general ban on brothels by repealing prohibitions against brothels in the Dutch criminal code. This legislation has not been enforced in fifty years; an official repeal now allowed the formal transfer of the control of regulation of brothels to the municipal governments (Brock
…show more content…
This is a example of the decriminalization process in the business of prostitution is found in the Netherlands, which did not enforce laws against brothels and prostitution, but have recently made efforts to officially regulate the trade (Bruckert 175). These are recent steps taken by the government to set a new standard of open legalization of prostitution as a business. This also devolves the premise that women are not voluntarily working in brothels, which have typically been part of a black market mentality in forcing sex work onto women. Barry (1996) defines the women’s right to voluntary labor within the context of laws made in the Netherlands that regulated the sex trade (55). Certainly, this defines the recent legislation of sex worker’s rights in the commercial aspects of prostitution, which has only been an extension of an already decriminalized sex
Frances, S. (2012). Sex work and the law: A critical analysis of four policy approaches to adult prostitution . Thinking about justice: a book of readings (pp. 190-220). Halifax, N.S.: Fernwood Pub..
“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.
Crowhurst, I., Outshoorn, J., & Skilbrei, M. (2012). Introduction: Prostitution Policies in Europe. Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 9(3), 187-191. Retrieved February 21, 2014, from http://download.springer.com/static/pdf/307/art%253A10.1007%252Fs13178-012-0100-7.pdf?auth66=1393548913_753f910350c7bb95ffab6b5eaa422617&ext=.pdf
Prostitution is a topic that has been the subject of fierce debate and seemingly endless controversy. Martha Nussbaum addresses this topic in-depth and touches on many arguments against legalized prostitution in her article “’Whether from Reason or Prejudice’: Taking Money for Bodily Services.” One of Nussbaum’s main points in her article is to address one commonly used reason to justify the stigma placed on prostitutes – which is that they sell their bodies. Nussbaum points out that virtually everyone will sell their body for a living in one way or another, save for the few people with inherited wealth. Nussbaum’s principal motive in this article is to “investigate the question of sexual ‘commodification’” by discussing prostitution (412).
In 2007, three prostitutes, Terri-Jean Bedford, Amy Lebovitch, and Valerie Scott came to the Canadian government to challenge the current prostitution laws after pending charges were laid against them for illegal acts prostitution (Chez Stella, 2013). The Bedford Case has opened up a debate on whether prostitution should be decriminalized in Canada. Through my research, I offer a comparative analysis of four approaches to prostitution, which aid in illustrating the effects that decriminalization would have on prostitutes, and women as a whole. The four states that I have compared are Canada, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Australia. These countries each hold different views and policies on prostitution. Canada is currently criminalized, the Netherlands is a state in which prostitution is legalized, Sweden advocates abolitionism, and in Australia, prostitution is decriminalized. Through careful analysis I have determined the effectiveness of each of the policies, and which system I believe would be best for Canada’s future. Based on this investigation, I advocate that Canada ought to adapt a similar approach to Australia, decriminalizing prostitution as a means for social, economic, and legal stability for women. It is through decriminalization that prostitutes will have the opportunity to be actively involved in the community, and no longer marginalized members of society.
Prostitution is a subject whom many people today have vocal opinions about if it should be legalized and is it moral? Can you imagine how people felt about prostitutes in the 19th century? Today people think the worst possible things of a woman who prostitutes herself and a less rigid view of women’s sexuality exists now almost two centuries later than there was then. In 2011 men and women can have a different view of prostitution and distinctive ways to correct the problem. Men today as they did almost 200 years ago would like to see prostitution legalized and regulated. Women still see prostitution as they did a moral issue that needs reformed. The data suggests that few things have changed when it comes to the punishment and help for prostitution.
Sometimes, the term “sex work” is used, as well as “prostitution”. But whichever term we choose to say, it does not eliminate the stigma attached to it. Cases such as the Bedford V. Canada Case (144) indulges into the conspiracy of sex work and challenges certain sections of the Criminal Code that make business in relation to prostitution illegal. Ideally, a sex worker has a career just as a teacher or lawyer. For this reason, their human rights and dignity should be protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms as are other professions. However, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms as well as the Criminal Code do not seek to protect sex workers, yet, they seek to do otherwise using certain sections of the Criminal Code to criminalize sex work. Therefore, sex workers demand a permanent change in the law, their rights and freedoms in order to feel less threatened about their choice of work. This paper attempts to illustrate the legal terms of sex work, the main arguments made in the Bedford Case as well as an understanding of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Criminal Code, what sex workers face and are diligently demanding.
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.
The Prostitution legalization structure in Australia is similar to the Netherlands. Responsibility for criminal legislation in Australia falls primarily on individual states, which have taken very different approaches towards the management and regulation of prostitution. This maximizes the effectiveness of the implementation of the law in different localities in such a way that it will be able to adjust on what would be favorable to
Prostitution is one of the most debated of the victimless crimes, because the US has been "slow" in adopting it legally. Only ten Nevadian counties out of the entirety of the 50 United States have passed laws that legalize prostitution, while in Holland prostitution is a recognized occupation. Holland even has a union for prostitutes. It is argued by proponents of legalized prostitution that the business is ...
Receiving money to perform sexual actions has become either a lifestyle choice or a hostile option for the female prostitutes in the Netherlands, particularly in the city of Amsterdam. The participants involved in the legalized policy of prostitution are subjected to ambiguous impacts which involve social, political, health, and economic divisions. Since prostitution was legalized as of the year 2000, Amsterdam has seen a decline in criminal activity, allowing workers an increase in autonomy, and provides better labor conditions. (Cruz, & Iterson, 2013). ). The legalization of prostitution may have aided some of these women from escaping entrapment from pimps or has helped them into becoming independent women. An estimated 20,000 prostitutes are located in the Netherlands, 40% of the prostitutes that work in the city of Amsterdam occupy the 370 available windows, if not more, and clubs surrounding the red light district. (Cruz, & Iterson, 2013). The red light district in Amsterdam is a representation of the freedom that the city has to offer for the natives and tourists that explore their curiosity with experimental and recreational activities. However, while the surface may project a false sense of peacefulness, there is still a black market that condones itself to the trafficking of women and illicit revenues. (Vanderstok, 2010). Nonetheless there is an extensive possibility on the areas of research for issues of female prostitution in the Netherlands. The forefront for this research will be based on the types of female sex workers and the concern on the level of protection the sex workers are entitled to since the legalization of prostitution.
Prostitution is highly controversial, many claiming that the legalization would lead to more prostitution, which would therefore be a larger disgrace to society. Furthermore, an essay written by Janice G. Raymond, titled “Ten Reasons for Not Legalizing Prostitution.” This essay brings down ten legitimate reasons as to why prostitution should not be legalized, citing failed attempts in Australia and the Netherlands. The immoralities of these laws shine when, upon closer examination, the laws regard the prostitutes as mere sexual objects for profit to benefit the economy. However, as these faults are recognized, places like Amsterdam begin to alter their laws regarding prostitutions, making them more strict in an attempt to make prostitution safer. Still, organized and regulated legalized prostitution could lead to world reform in the sex trade.
During the twentieth century, repression and toleration continued, but today in urban areas the trend seems to be toward toleration, and prostitution is becoming increasingly...
The exploitation of prostitution is considered to be one of a serious global issue in most of the countries around the world. Also, the number of prostitution is increasing tremendously each year and seems to be more serious than the past centuries. However, yet very few to none of the countries have completely solved this problem. Saudi Arabia and Netherlands are two examples of the countries that prostitution is still considered to be a problem that the government of both countries cannot ignore. There are different solutions that Saudi Arabia and Netherlands have come up with to solve the problem.
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....