Decriminalization of Prostitution

Should contractual sex be legal?

Resources used to support "no"

Prostitutes solicit and accept payment in exchange for sexual favors. This form of income is despised by many because it is regarded as an act performed merely to satisfy an animal lust. It is also considered to be void of any emtioal commitment. Decrimin alization of prostitution may introduce regualtion of health care, taxes and business code standards for those choosing to work in this profession but, it opens the door to increased inequality and exploitation of persons in society. Prostitution is a mea ns of sexually transmitting diseases, including HIV, and is associated with drug use. These are not the types of activities society needs more of. Nor does society need more cases of physical abuse and assult, which are also associated with prostitution.

WWW

Compiled Statistics- Prostitute's Education Network
Statistics showing the violence that takes place towards prostitutes.
Would Legalizing Prostitution Curb the Trafficking of Women? - No: Legalization Would Legitimize Abuse by Donna M. Hughes
The author, who argues that legalization would legitimize abuse of prostitutes, gives a brief description of the extreme difficulties that they face. Legalization of prostitution would allow women to be used and abused in extremely traumatic ways. [Recommended by Ashley Levin and Contessa Mendoza.]
Prostitution in the United States - The Statistics
This article presents statistics regarding prostitution: violence and rape, drug use, and reasons behind the decision to become a prostitute. Although shocking, these statistics are very interesting. [Recommended by Kimberly Spitz.]
The San Francisco Task Force on Prostitution
This Web site describes the costly and dangerous results of prostitution, including AIDS, rape, beatings, robberies and drug use. [Recommended by Laura Matthies.]
Redefining Prostitution as Sex Work of the International Agenda by Jo Bindman
This research paper compares prostitution and slavery. It states that most men and women working as prostitutes are subjected to abuses that are similar to those experienced by people working in low-status jobs. [Recommended by Anna Lisa Perez.]
The Coalition Against Trafficking in Women
This Web site contains several publications in support of decriminalizing the women in prostitution and in favor of criminalizing the men who buy these women and children. [Recommended by Anna Lisa Perez.]
Policy Not to Arrest Prostitutes First in Canada, a 1997 article by Kim Pemberton in the Vancouver Sun
Vancouver police announced that they would not charge prostitutes. This change shows that officers now recognize that sex trade workers are actually victims and that police resources are better spent pursuing the "johns" and pimps. [Recommended by Anna Lisa Perez.]

JOURNAL ARTICLES

Bellis, D.J. (1993). Reduction of AIDS risk among 41 heroin addicted female street prostitutes. Journal of Addictive Diseases, 12, (1), 7-23.
Interview of 72 heroin addicts who spread HIV by sharing injection, paraphernalia, engaging in unprotected sex.
De Graaf, R., Vanwesenbeeck, I., van Zessen, G., Straver, C.J., et al. (1995). Alcohol and drug use in heterosexual and homosexual prostitution, and its relation to protection behavior. AIDS Care, 71, (1), 35-47.
Male and female prostitutes and their clients were interviewed on prevalence and effects of alcohol and drug use and the effects these have on safe sexual behavior.
Fagan, J. (1994). Women and Drugs Revisited: Female participation in the cocaine economy. Journal of Drug Issues, 24, (1-2), 179-225.
Interview with 311 women involved extensively in both drug selling and non-drug crimes such as prostitution; link of higher income to prostitution, assets increased with frequency of crack and cocaine use.
Jolin, A. (1994). On the backs of working prostitutes: Feminist theory and prostitution policy. Crime and Delinquency, 40, 69-83.
Examines issues surrounding the criminalization of prostitution.
Kipke. M.D., Montgomery, S., & Mackenzie, R.G. (1993). Substance use among youth seen at a community based health clinic. Journal of Adolescent Health, 14, (4), 289-294.
Adolescent risk profiles of 1121 subjects 12-24 years of age. Variables associated with subject abuse, homelessness, suicide, sex/prostitution, and physical abuse are addressed.
Miller, J. (1995). Gender and power on the streets: Street prostitution in the era of crack cocaine. Journal of Contemporary Ethnography, 23, (4), 427-452.
Examined the relationship between prostitutes and men on the streets that were not their clientele and their use of drugs.

BOOKS

Cohen, B. (1980). Deviant street networks: Prositution in NY City. Lexington, MA: Lexington Book.
Geis, G. (1972). Not the laws business?: An examination of homosexuality, abortion, prostitution, narcotics, and gambling in the US. Rockville, MD: National Institute of Mental Health, Center for Studies of Crime and Delinquency, US Government.

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