The United Nations’ convention held in 1949, stated prostitution to be “incompatible with human dignity”. According to the Oxford Dictionary, prostitution is defined as "The practice or occupation of engaging in sexual activity with someone for payment." Often referred to as the “oldest profession” in the world, prostitution has become a burning issue in today’s world. The ongoing debate on whether to legalize, criminalize or decriminalize prostitution seems to be quite unresolvable. This paper investigates the negative impacts of legalizing prostitution such as 1) encouragement of prostitution, 2) increase in the incidence of human trafficking and 3) exposure of prostitutes to severe harm such as drug abuse, infection from sexually transmitted …show more content…
According to the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (2006), most victims of international human trafficking are women and girls, majority of which end up being sexually exploited through prostitution. Even under the circumstances of decriminalization, human trafficking still takes place by luring innocent women and girls with various incentives and illegally transporting them to brothels. According to the 2011 report from the Department of Justice, in between 2008-2010, around 82 percent of the total trafficking cases were concerned with sex trafficking. Out of these victims, more than 50 percent were under the age of 18(Harvard Law School, 2014). Now, if prostitution was to be legalized, it would be far more easier for traffickers and pimps to carry out human trafficking to meet this growing demand for legal sex. The evidence from Holland suggests that the core idea behind legalizing prostitution is to have an easy access for importing women from poorer “third world” countries, rather than improving the situations of the existing prostitutes. (Goodson, 1992). If we take a look at the prevailing circumstances, although prostitution is illegal in most parts of the world, it is being conducted widely in brothels by pimps all around the world. If such is …show more content…
Places where prostitution has been legalized have brothels that are carrying out immoral functions such as violence against the victims of trafficking. The claim of legalized prostitution is to provide better access to social services and facilities such as health care, welfare and educational opportunities for the prostitutes. But for those prostitutes who are unwilling or unable to get registered as legalized prostitutes, getting access to these services may be next to impossible. In this case, legalizing prostitution seems to have no benefits at all. For instance, in Germany, after the legalization of prostitution, a survey conducted in 2001 showed that only 8% of the prostitutes were insured while only about 1% have a contract of employment (Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, 2007). The statistics indicate that even when prostitution is legalized, not many prostitutes are willing to be recognized through their work which makes it very difficult to provide regular health check ups or counseling sessions against drug abuse. Moreover the legalization of prostitution does not bring forward any substantial improvement in the security and safety of prostitutes as well. Even if prostitution becomes legitimate, the pimps and even the customers will continue their violence against
Kelly’s article has raised valid points regarding safety to the prostitute within a brothel, but there is so much evidence that proves the ill effects of this experiment in other countries that the evidence cannot be ignored. Although, parts of the sex trade industry may initially see positive results for some of the workers, the majority would end up worse off than before. Due to the illegal nature of this industry and the control exuded by the pimp, the physical and psychological risk to the prostitute, the highly addictive nature of sex, and the organized crime behind the scenes orchestrating and controlling ever aspect of the industry, it is clear that decriminalizing prostitution would result in significant negative affects on society, prostitutes and those with sexual addictions.
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.
The solution to ending prostitution, human trafficking, and the exploitation of women is to not legalize prostitution, but to become aware of the problem. Understanding the statistics of women yearly trafficked for sex trade can help create awareness and promote healthy organizations to control and deplete the number of women bought and traded each year. No, there may never be an end to human slavery or sex trade, but keeping the numbers low and not increasing prostitution is a priority. In order to develop a solution to the problem, people must not add to the problem, making it even more impossible to solve.
Moreover, Prostitution is just another job. According to the declaration of human rights, everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favorable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment (Article 23). Prostitutes could get labor rights, and work facilities that are suitable to their needs. The government could create more brothels to help make prostitution stable. According to studies done in Germany, researchers discovered that the legalization of prostitution improved the public health (Reisenwitz, C). The conclusion of these studies is pertaining to the creation
As prostitution is criminalized, this profession is driven underground which undermines the safety of prostitutes. Legalizing prostitution would provide sex workers with regulatory protection and allow this form of work to be recognized as legitimate. As the author of “Think Again: Prostitution” states, “evidence shows, that criminalization of sale or purchase (or both) makes sex workers-many of whom come from marginalized social groups like women, minorities, and the poor-more vulnerable to violence and discrimination committed by law enforcement. Also, criminalization can dissuade sex workers from seeking help from authorities if they are raped, trafficked, or otherwise abused.” Therefore, sex workers are subjected to unfair treatment that could be prevented if this work was legalized and safe conditions were enforced. The author of "Counterpoint: Prostitution Should Be Legalized” states, “prostitution is legalized and regulated in a variety of developed nations throughout ...
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.
In the United States of America, prostitution is illegal in all of its 50 states with the exception of the state of Nevada. Nevada is the only U.S. state with allows legal prostitution in some of its rural counties. Occupational health and safety laws are applied to the brothels in these counties but the sex workers elsewhere in the country still remain exposed to the threat of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and violence from pimps and customers. Prostitution exists in various forms in the States: street prostitution, escort prostitution, and brothel prostitution (Harcourt). It has been estimated that the sum total of the revenue generated by the underground prostitution industry in the U.S. is about $14.6 billion (“Prostitution Revenue”), the fifth highest in the world (about 8% of the total annual worldwide revenue). If prostitution were made legal, it would increase the U...
...inst prostitution, then why some brothels legal, yet the prostitution as a whole are is illegal? Prostitution should not be a crime as the US takes it, because the prostitutes are not committing an inherently harmful act. While there is an argument that there will be spread of diseases, increase in criminal activities, and health effects, all these has been challenged by the proponents side and in fact if legalized, it will lead to a reduction of the above mentioned issues. If prostitution is legalized, it will be regulated and therefore, all these implications being mentioned will be eliminated.
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.
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.
The oldest occupation in history, prostitution is one of the only occupations in which those who practice it are not protected by law in many first world countries. That however, sets the stage for disaster; women can get beaten and raped but will not report it out of fear of getting arrested themselves. To protect prostitutes and their patrons, voluntary prostitution of those over the age of eighteen in inevitable and must be legalized.
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.
In addition, prostitution should not be legalized because it violated the human rights, and the true equality of women. It violated the human rights because the prostitution use woman body as a goods that can trade or sell. In the world of prostitution, it mainly uses woman body to satisfy the desired about sex. In addition, prostitution again the women’s right. One of the perfectly reasons that supply for argument again prostitution is protecting vulnerable women. We cannot live in the society where highly recommend and respect woman, while legalized prostitution. Because they are contradictory and opposing each other. Furthermore, the violence that women were subjected to was an undercover part of the prostitution and sexual exploitation. Violence was used to initiate
Legalized Prostitution: A Compromise Between Amnesty International and Task Force on Human Trafficking and Prostitution