Wait a second!
More handpicked essays just for you.
More handpicked essays just for you.
Negative effects of legalizing prostitution in the world
What is the histoical background of prostitution in canada essay
What is the histoical background of prostitution in canada essay
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Canada is a nation renown as a liberal-leaning, forward nation; promoting the advancement of women in all parts of the world. However, it is a nation guilty of punishing women for the circumstances in which they find themselves with laws showing an antiquated view on the issue of prostitution—one that prosecutes sex workers instead of those who take advantage of women’s situations and buy sexual services. BY examining the origins of current-day laws concerning prostitution in Canada and looking at European legislation as well as its successes and failures made it is possible to find a middle ground that will suit Canada should it ever decide to change its laws concerning prostitution.
While prostitution is technically legal, acts surrounding the issue are not—the Criminal Code of Canada prohibits living off the earnings of a prostitute; procuring, or attempting to procure, an individual to “...have illicit sexual intercourse with another person, whether in or out of Canada”; communicating in public, “for the purpose of engaging in prostitution or of obtaining the sexual services of a prostitute.”; or being found in or operating a bawdy house (CCC). All through the past century special-interest groups have influenced laws concerning prostitution for moral, feminist and medical reasons (Brock 1998). In 1972 the Canadian government criminalised solicitation for purposes of prostitution with S.195.1 of the Criminal Code; this move was followed with the institution of Bill C-49 in 1985 which amended the Criminal Code to add S. 213 which criminalizes communication between a prostitute and their client (justice.gc.ca). 1985’s Bill C-49 led to a huge spike in the number of prostitution-related arrests which peaked i...
... middle of paper ...
...stomers. If the Canadian government were looking to truly curb prostitution while still protecting the women involved, laws regarding prostitution should be reformed to reflect modern Canadian values of equality for all, the refusal to accept sexual bondage of women as well the rejection of control of women by people whether they be customers, pimps or traffickers. Canada should look onto Swedish law as an example to follow as the complete legalisation, like in Germany and the Netherlands, may lead to even more involvement by organised crime into the industry while the exclusive criminalisation of customers will effectively dry-up the market. While, ultimately, it is the complete disappearance of the industry that is wanted any laws—current or future—should be coupled with increased counselling and support for women who find themselves in such dire situations.
In the case of Canada v. Bedford, three sex workers in Ontario Canada, Jean Bedford, Amy Lebovitch and Valerie Scott, challenged the Charter as they stated that the following sections in the Criminal Code violate the rights promised and protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms; CC s 210, CC s. 212(1) (j), and CC s. 213(1) (c). These sections “make it an offence to keep or be in a bawdy-house, prohibit living on the avails of prostition, and prohibits communicating in public for the purposes of prostitution,” (Canada v. Bedford, 2013, 6-3). The women claimed that these restrictions did not, in fact, prevent but implement more danger for anyone in the field of work. The women claimed that these restrictions went against their rights protected under s. 2(b) of the Charter as it disabled them from their right to freedom of expression (Canada v. Bedford, 2013, 6). As the provisions were set to prevent “public nuuisance” and “exploitation of prositutes,” they in fact go against the rights in s. 7 of the Charter. Thus, being under declaration of invalidity. This in fact brings upon question on whether it is the right decision to allow prostitution without any regulation in order to impose that the the Charter is not being violated, or whether to suspend the declaration until a proper method has been developed (while infringing the rights of those in the field of work). Ultimately, all of the laws were struck down by the decision of the Supreme Court of Canada.
Many argue that prostitution is along the same line as any other business transaction considering similar actions taken to go through the process. I will argue that performing a consensual or nonconsensual sexual act including a transfer of money cannot be considered as one. In this essay, I will be focusing on women in the Canadian sex trade and how the service they provide is not a legitimate purchase.There are several factors to assist this argument that include the facts and terminology behind businesses, transactions, employment, legality, and the act being performed. The process for an individual to acquire a prostitute contains a transaction through an exchange of money, but is it a business transaction, no.
Human trafficking is “Modern Day Slavery,” in Canada today. From April 2007 to December 2013, there were 50 cases where human traffickers were found guilty, and from those cases, 97 people were convicted of human trafficking offenses. The Ontario Women’s Justice Network (OWJN) defines human trafficking as the recruitment and control of individuals that are exploited and taken advantage of against their will, (OWJN, p. 1- 2). There are various forms of human trafficking in Canada and the victims are vulnerable in all classes, genders, ages, and industries, but research needs to improve to validate concrete statistics. However, there are many Canadian sex workers that do object to the regulation of their chosen profession of prostitution
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.
Library. Web. 22 Apr. 2011. Rosie, DiManno. “Prostitutes Suffer with ‘Sinister’ Law.” Toronto Star. EBSCO. Web. 8 Apr.
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.
...Boris B. Gorzalka. "Attitudes, Beliefs, And Knowledge Of Prostitution And The Law In Canada." Canadian Journal Of Criminology & Criminal Justice 54.2 (2012): 229-244.
The vile act of prostitution should be made illegal in Canada as a result of the government’s duty to enforce the constitution, the various social impacts prostitution has on the nation, and the health impacts commonly known to affect individuals in the
CTV News shared breaking news on October, 23, 2013 that four Romanian women were found being victimized to human trafficking in Montreal. These women were lured to Canada hoping that they would find a better future but instead were forced into prostitution (2013). Human trafficking is an issue that is rarely acknowledged by Canadians. Most people are either unaware of the problem or do not recognize it as something that is happening in their own backyard. Although Canadians are exposed to the severity of human trafficking in other countries, Canadian citizens are unaware of the fact that Canada is not only a transit point for the United States but also a destination country. Information from the Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre states “The RCMP estimates that 600-800 persons are trafficked into Canada annually, predominantly for sexual purposes, also additional 1,500-2,200 people are trafficked through Canada and into the United states” (2010). Canada is a source of transit and destination for human trafficking, some of the victims being as young as twelve years old (Human trafficking, 2010). The definition of what human trafficking is focusing on who the victims are and who the traffickers, the increase in trafficking due to globalization, and the role Canada plays in preventing it will all be explained further.
Throughout Sex Work and the Law: A Critical Analysis of Four Policy Approaches to Adult Prostitution Frances Shaver discusses the need for change for women working as prostitutes. Shaver explains the ongoing problem surrounding prostitution in Canada and provides four possible ways to resolve the issue in her work. Three well thought out points Shaver writes about are the health benefits as well as personal safety for the women in the sex industry. She also touches base on the decriminalization of prostitution and the impacts it will have on nearby neighborhoods and the residents as well as a few other topics. Although Shaver discusses important areas, she does leave out some particular parts for concern such as the issues surrounding minors involved in the sex industry as well as the men and women who are involuntarily put into prostitution also known as human trafficking. While Shaver touches base on extremely well thought out points and provides a solution for dealing with Canada’s prostitution problem, she fails to elaborate on a few major issues that should be discussed as well when discussing the decriminalization of prostitution.
“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 illegal in the United States, except for some counties in Nevada. However, prostitution is in most part of the United States, despite the fact that it has been legalized. Prostitution is an act whereby, one sells his/her body for sex. In the United States, Prostitution is divided into three broad categories; street, escort, and brothel prostitution. Brothel prostitution takes place in brothel houses, which are houses where prostitutes can sell sexual services. This kind of prostitution is illegal in all parts of America, except in some counties in Nevada for example; Douglas County, Clark County, Carson City, Washoe County, and Lincoln County. Another form of prostitution is escort prostitution. This is always considered as entertainment, and massage services. It is supposed to be heavily regulated, but unfortunately, it is not because, in many counties where it is practiced, the only difference between escort and street prostitution is a phone call away. The last category of prostitution is street prostitution. This is the most unaccepted, and illegal type of prostitution in the United States. Street prostitution involves scantly dressed up women, and men roaming the streets looking for client to sell their bodies. It is the most frowned kind of prostitution because it is done openly. The question is should prostitution be legalized in the US? The answer is yes, this is because, it will help eliminate all the vices related to 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.
The exploitation of prostitution is considered to be a serious global issue in most of the countries around the world. Also, the number of prostitution cases 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 where 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.