WARNING: May arouse passions, dooyoo agree or not? and why? (Should prostitution be legalised?)

Member Name: luigi0778

Product:	Should prostitution be legalised?
Date:	13/07/09 (116 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: legalisation would make it safer for sex workers, save police resource, tax revenue

Disadvantages: does it have a place in modern society, would it really be controllable.

--Background--
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OK not really my thing, but it does strike me as strange, that in todays society if two consenting adults want to sell "a service" this should be deemed illegal.

So to my mind the real question should be, WHY is prostituion illegal?

Prostitution is called the worlds oldest profession for a very good reason.

As unpleasant and unsavoury a subject this undoubtedly is, to most people, it remains an undeniable fact, that men and women have since the dawn of time, partcipated in this activity.

Undeniably it is also the case that regardless of its legal status, this will not change. Prostitutes will always exist, as will the men/women who seek their services.

The reasons behind the whys are huge and complex, most of the actual prostitutes enjoy the work, and enjoy the money this brings. Some are doing it to fuel their drugs habits, and a very small minority have been entrapped into this lifestyle and are modern day slaves, threatened with violence, and living in fear.

Most of the users are either addicted to the thrill, or find this avenue as an escape to real life, maybe even perhaps an unhappy relationship. I am not going to try to justfiy the moral virtues of either the prostitutes themselves, or of the people who seek their business. However I intend to outline my argument for the legalisation of this trade.

I would like to point out, that when I say "prostitute", I am making reference to male or female sex workers, and likewise when talking about users.



-- My argument for Legalisation --
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(1) If it was legal, rights would exist for the prostitutes.
Although the majority of prostitutes are not enslaved or considered to be sex slaves persae, there is undeniably a proportion that are. If prostitution was legal, this illegal activity would be reduced. Since most users would undoubtedly or at least presumably, choose establishements were buying sex was legal.

Further, it would be possible to ensure a liscense system, and health provision existed. So that users were also confident, that the prostitutes were (a) of legal age, (b) screened for sexusal diseases, and also importantly (c) voluntarily working in this business.


(2) If it was legal, red light areas could be cleaned up.
As with most unpleasant things, there is often a sense of NIMBY, meaning Not In My Back Yard. An if people are not affected directly, largley speaking they don't care.

However, if prostitution was legal, there could legally exist licensed brothels, which could be placed "out of town". In my opinion, this would mean that the current areas where this activity currently occurs would become safer for women after dark (from being approached), and generally would be more desirable places for residents who are effected.


(3) Police time could be spent elsewhere.
I have no exact figures for how much financially the Police spend on dealing with prostitution, but presumably it is quite a tidy figure.

Also, further to the direct monetary cost, there is also the question of time and resource in the whole system. Ranging from the prosecution service, through to the courts. This extra resource could then be used to clamp down on more pressing issues like violent crime or burglary, and drug offences.


(4) Taxes and criminal activity.
I think it is fair to say, that a taxation system would be required. This revenue could be spent on restoration of the former red light areas etc. In addition, if prostitution was legal, alot of the criminal gangs would be put off this area of business.

I believe this would make things safer for the prostitutes, and provide a visible financial framework. Currently being an underground activity, the generated funds dissapear into the criminal underworld, and may provide funds for the drugs, and/or illegal firearms trade. Taking this money out of circulation will undoubtedly assist.



--Summary--
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A contentious emotive issue, but to my mind the benefits of legalisation outweigh the possible problems.

Would I use this service if it was legal?
A definate NO!

However, since this activity takes place anyway, and since in a controlled environment no real harm would be done (in my opinion). I see no reason why this should remain illegal. The moral rights and wrongs are irrelavant. It should be legal.

Summary: A tough call, but in my view legalisation brings more benefits than it does problems.