Decriminalization of Prostitution Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Decriminalization of Prostitution - Essay Example It is regarded as the world’s oldest professional, and it has global annual revenue of more than $100 billion. Prostitution is practiced in different ways. One and the oldest way are to sell it on the street, clubs, or pubs. This is mainly done by cheap prostitutes who will sell sex for loose change. Second way, is through brothels. A brothel is a dedicated room or building where prostitution takes place but in a civilized way. It is just the way you may go to a market and shop for groceries. The third one is escort prostitution, whereby a client can call a prostitute to his room or house. Escorts are also learned people and dress like a normal lady, and they can easily fit in a classy social event like for business or delegates events. There are three major terms that are usually discussed in this debate. Abolition: This is where a government comes up with a decision to abolish any form of prostitution. This includes the removal of any structure where prostitution is practice d. Legalization: this is when a government allows prostitutes to conduct their services like a normal business. However, the prostitutes have to be registered by the police and must follow the health policy for prostitution. ([Reynolds, H, (1985) the economics of prostitution, spring field, IL: C.C. Thomas.) Decriminalization: this is whereby the rules against prostitution are removed. Laws against pimping are also removed. With the removal of these laws, sex workers will now have the freedom of establishing their own associations and self help groups. I personally do not believe in the decriminalization of prostitution for a number of reasons which include the following. Prostitution that is already legalized creates a setting whereby crimes against women and children are in turn commercialized. The International Labor Organization report admits that most women ‘choose’ prostitution for economic reasons. Hence it is not of free will but they are forced into it by pover ty other vices. Prostitution as an institution, also, is morally wrong and cannot be deemed right despite the endless reasons and excuses given by individuals who indulge in the sex business. Prostitution also contributes to human trafficking to a large extent. This trade is fuelled to a large extent by the availability of women and children who have gone through the process of human trafficking. Another reason as to why prostitution should not be decriminalized is because of the amount of violence the women in the trade are exposed to .Legalizing it does not protect the women from such dangers. Studies show that women in the sex industry face high rates of violence. Research also shows that 82% of prostitutes had been physically assaulted since entering the prostitution, 80% had been physically threatened and some of those with a weapon. Some of those threats that were physical ended up with serous body wound such as gunshot wounds and knife wounds. Hence from the above statistics one can clearly see that prostitution in itself is a form of male violence against women and children, and decriminalizing it will only expose more of these prostitutes. Prostitution also contributes to the global spread of HIV and AIDS, this is because once a single prostitute is infected by the virus between the time she is infected and the time she realizes her status, the number of clients she may have infected is likely to be very high, not considering the number of additional persons she will infect if she decides to continue despite her knowledge of her status. The fight against rape cannot be won if prostitution is condoned this is because prostitution in itself is bought rape. Culture in which women can be bought for use is one in which rape flourishes. Also