2008 Woodie Awards
Legal prostitution, for safety's sake
Hannah Nelson, Collegian columnist
Issue date: 12/1/08 Section: Editorial / Opinion
In the name of killing the sanctity of marriage, let's throw enemy number two - prostitution - in the ring. There is no such thing as the sanctity of marriage and there never really has been.
It's an ideology created to vilify anyone who doesn't fit into the mold of traditional family values. As such, new impending legal action will make it harder for UK prostitutes to maintain their existing, protective actions. It is already a criminal offense to run a brothel or agency for profit, and soon it will be even harder for the 80,000 prostitutes in the UK.
Nearly three years ago, the UK was discussing the legalization of small brothels, but now there's been a complete one-eighty. The old proposal had included the idea of creating safe houses for women who could opt to transition out of prostitution and to receive help for substance addictions rather than face fines.
The new criminalization proposals advocated by Minister for Women Harriet Harman and Home Secretary Jacqui Smith would mean fines and carrying a police record if convicted of selling sex. Only individuals working on their own would be exempt, an option considered the most unsafe way to go about it. Anyone found guilty of paying for consensual sex would be liable for rape charges, and if committed could mean a life sentence in prison.
After a survey in the UK, the popular opinion is that new criminalization will not get rid of prostitution and showed a consensus that many citizens would rather see legalization.
According to "Belle de Jour," the pen name of a high class London call girl who is also a frank blogger and author, it's always better for prostitutes to go through a third party like an agency because it provides a buffer between them and the client.
Belle's story isn't the norm next to most stories that come from the profession; she came from a stable family life, never suffered abuse, wasn't a drug addict and chose her lifestyle freely. While hers is a rarer case than the norm, it goes to show that protecting this lifestyle protects the women who have entered into the profession through less desirable circumstances.
It's an ideology created to vilify anyone who doesn't fit into the mold of traditional family values. As such, new impending legal action will make it harder for UK prostitutes to maintain their existing, protective actions. It is already a criminal offense to run a brothel or agency for profit, and soon it will be even harder for the 80,000 prostitutes in the UK.
Nearly three years ago, the UK was discussing the legalization of small brothels, but now there's been a complete one-eighty. The old proposal had included the idea of creating safe houses for women who could opt to transition out of prostitution and to receive help for substance addictions rather than face fines.
The new criminalization proposals advocated by Minister for Women Harriet Harman and Home Secretary Jacqui Smith would mean fines and carrying a police record if convicted of selling sex. Only individuals working on their own would be exempt, an option considered the most unsafe way to go about it. Anyone found guilty of paying for consensual sex would be liable for rape charges, and if committed could mean a life sentence in prison.
After a survey in the UK, the popular opinion is that new criminalization will not get rid of prostitution and showed a consensus that many citizens would rather see legalization.
According to "Belle de Jour," the pen name of a high class London call girl who is also a frank blogger and author, it's always better for prostitutes to go through a third party like an agency because it provides a buffer between them and the client.
Belle's story isn't the norm next to most stories that come from the profession; she came from a stable family life, never suffered abuse, wasn't a drug addict and chose her lifestyle freely. While hers is a rarer case than the norm, it goes to show that protecting this lifestyle protects the women who have entered into the profession through less desirable circumstances.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Steve
posted 12/01/08 @ 4:13 AM EST
I would like to correct one aspect of the story. New Zealand is not the same at Amsterdam. New Zealand went for complete decriminalisation, there are no laws relating to prostitution, only standard zoning laws and employment laws. (Continued…)
Safe & Secure
posted 12/03/08 @ 3:52 PM EST
Just think you could end up like NY and have only high up work with prostitute and think it is legal. Like Spriter, I personal think that if you make prostitution legal you could control it better. (Continued…)
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