New Century, New Policy (Should prostitution be legalised?)

Member Name: Pinotage

Product:	Should prostitution be legalised?
Date:	20/01/01 (19 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Make it safe for everyone involved

Disadvantages: none

The question asks if prostitution should be legal. But it is legal. What is not legal is almost everything that makes it possible, such as soliciting, advertising and operating in the same building as another working girl. Boyfriends can be prosecuted for living off 'immoral earnings' and landlords for running a disorderly house.

The laws have been formed over many years for various purposes. To protect girls from being forced into prostitution, to keep the business out of site and to discourage the whole trade. However much difficulty laws have caused, they haven't prevented prostitution. But they have made it more dangerous for working girls, and they have handed the business over to criminals.

The law should recognise the situation as it currently is and allow women to operate together without fear of being prosecuted for running a brothel. Scotland has shown the way with its softly softly approach to 'saunas'. These are licensed and inspected by council officials.

People often ask those suggesting a liberalization of laws whether they'd want a brothel next to them. I don't think any of would say yes. But how do we know that one isn't already there? Do we count male visitors to the flat next door?

Holland seems to have found a good solution. They license areas of industrial estates out of towns to be used by prostitutes. There is ample parking, the place is far away from homes. Health volunteers and the police have offices there. No drugs are allowed and the women are safe

It would be better for everyone to let the women, and their customers, operate in a safe environment away from the rest of us. Why not allow entrepreneurs to operate brothels in warehouses on an out of town industrial estate?

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