The controversies of prostitution ranges from a spectrum of problems. Such problems include the exploitation of women, human trafficking, and spread of STD’s. There has been much discussion over the years as to whether or not prostitution should be legal. However, prostitution has been legal in several countries but it doesn’t mean that prostitution is fully accepted around the world. The following studies will explore the following question: Should prostitution be legalized?

As I mentioned above opponents of the legalization of prostitution claim that prostitution can lead to higher human trafficking rates. A study conducted by Cho et. al investigates whether or not there is a correlation between the legalization of prostitution and human trafficking. In order to conduct this study since the ability to actually track human trafficking is difficult, researchers used data collected from the Report on Trafficking in Persons: Global Patterns released by the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime. Researchers then created a plot chart to see which countries had the highest rating of human trafficking. By doing so, they can then identify which countries have a higher rate to human trafficking and whether or not prostitution is legal in that country. Results revealed that countries in which prostitution is legal experience largest incidence of human trafficking. In fact, countries with higher populations and GDP had significantly higher trafficking rates. Because of these results, policy makers are more likely to resist the legalization of prostitution.

According to Janice Raymond, author of “Ten Reasons for Not legalizing Prostitution and a Legal Response to the Demand for Prostitution”, states that legalizing prostitution does not promote women’s health. She claims that men are less likely to wear a condom due to the fact that they would offer women extra money. This could increase a woman’s chance of obtaining an STD and could cause the spread of STD’s. Additionally, Raymond claims that some of the women she interviewed claim that at one point they feared of being killed by one of their buyers. Thus, leading to unsafe “work environment”. Nonetheless, Raymond believes that whether or not government officials legalize prostitution, she pleads they might consider her oppositional reasonings.

Proponents for prostitution claim that women are allowed to have the choice to work as a prostitution and it’s a source of income. Indian filmmaker Bishakha Datta claims that many women in India turn to sex work due to poverty in the city. She also claims that if is prostitution was legal, it could potentially protect women. Additionally, she states that removing the criminal aspect of decriminalization of prostitution allows women to have rights and protection from their buyer. For example, if women were raped during their work shift, they would be allowed to be protected under the legalization of prostitution.

The study “Commercial Sexual Practices Before and After Legalization in Australia” explores the practices of sex workers before and after legalization of prostitution. The most significant findings that they discovered is that after the legalization of prostitution “exotic” sexual services increased, meaning that people were experimenting their sexual freedom and playing out their fantasies. This can be seen as a positive view because people are allowing themselves to explore their sexual needs. Also, sex workers have more protection specifically brothel workers. Brothels workers are more likely to have guidelines that protect the workers which ultimately protect them from STDs and abuse from their clients.

Overall, I feel like this topic needs more research. Many of the studies that I stumbled upon where somewhat biased. However, I would have to be opposed to legalizing prostitution. This is mostly due to the fact opponents have more evidence to support their position. Additionally, I would have to agree with the fact that prostitution could increase human trafficking. If prostitution was considered a business and some of it’s employees were trafficked, there is no evidence to claim that a person is considered legal in, for example, the USA. This could led to fraud, abuse to the women, and many other health related issues. For side B, I felt that there wasn’t any anecdotal evidence to support their claims. Also, when Bishakha Datta was addressing sexual workers protection, I felt that she was only referring to India which like I mentioned before is biased. Not every underdeveloped countries has prostitution. Since prostitution is a touchy topic, it’s really difficult to be research. But I feel the more research that is conducted, the more likely prostitution can be understand and can be officially determined whether it’s legalization should be moved forward.

References

Carrasquillo, T. (2014). UNDERSTANDING PROSTITUTION AND THE NEED FOR REFORM. Touro Law Review, 30(3), 697-721.

Cho, Seo-Young; Dreher, Axel; Neumayer, Eric. In World Development. January 2013 41:67-82 Language: English. DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2012.05.023, Database: ScienceDirect

DATTA, BISHAKHA; POST, DIANNE. New Internationalist. Apr2013, Issue 461, p28-30. 3p.

Raymond, J. G. (2003). Ten Reasons for Not Legalizing Prostitution and a Legal Response to the Demand for Prostitution. Journal Of Trauma Practice, 2(3/4), 315-332.

Seib, C., Dunne, M. P., Fischer, J., & Najman, J. M. (2010). Commercial sexual practices before and after legalization in Australia. Archives Of Sexual Behavior, 39(4), 979-989. doi:10.1007/s10508-008-9458-2