Study: Anti-Prostitution Laws Lead to Violence Against Sex Workers
In a paper published this week in the British Medical Journal, researchers have concluded that the strictures of anti-prostitution laws increase violence against female sex workers. Kate Shannon of the University of British Columbia and her colleages interviewed 251 female sex workers in Vancouver, Canada. The study participants, all of whom worked on the streets, were observed for 18 months and given the same questions to answer at three intervals during the study. The questions were: "Have you been physically abused by someone (excluding clients) in the last six months?"; "Have you been forced to have sex against your will (excluding clients) in the last six months?"; and "Have you experienced a 'bad date' in the last six months?" Fifty-seven percent of the participants experienced violence at least once during the course of the study. Nearly 38 percent of the responders reported some form of physical violence, and one quarter of them reported having been raped during the study. At least 30 percent of responders claimed that their clients had been violent toward them.
The researchers correlated the enforcement of anti-prostitution laws with a lack of availability of substance-abuse programs in the increased levels of violence against female sex workers who operate on the streets. Shannon said, "The persistent relationship between enforcement of prostitution and drug use policies (e.g. confiscation of drug use paraphernalia without arrest, and enforced displacement to outlying areas) suggests that criminalisation may enhance the likelihood of violence against street-based female sex workers." The researchers call for the repeal of criminal sanctions against sex workers. End the violence now.
Ref: BMJ 2009;339:b2939
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The real issue.
The way this issue is even discussed reflects how we are still living
in the 1700's. It is appalling. Anti-prostitution laws are clearly a problem for sex workers.
So is living in a society where women are not provided well-paid, dignified jobs and have to
resort to the commodification of their well-being. Having said that the demand (repulsive men)
is the main problem. Criminalize the act of buying sex. Decriminalize selling sex. This would
deter the entire industry from functioning, while at least giving the women a chance not behind
bars because of a failed society. One without the other is what fuels and drives the sex industry,
thus increasing abuse. Is it possible for us to look outside of this patriarchal construct and do what
is right to protect women, families, and children?
Prostitution laws seem such a
Prostitution laws seem such a measure of patriarchal fascism. In this day and age of 24/7 availability of raunch it is soooooo hypocritical to maintain this anti-woman law. The more extreme the patriarchy, the worse it is for women's ability to control her own sexuality or bodily safety: Women dressed in black sacks still are molested at markets. Commercial sex work is and always has been a part of most women's jobs (admittedly some more than others, but really -- cooing and oohing over the men while wasting time bringing treats and coffee, serving drinks with a wink and a smile, yessirring, pretending you're young . . .) Legislating against prostitution represents another humiliating social control over a woman's body and her choices for creating advantages from her abiliities -- think the bans on selling one's eggs. Men earn huge incomes molesting their bodies (in boxing, other highly valued sports). Men earn income selling their reproductive offerings. Hmmmm . . . Not that I think this is a simplistic males vs females issue. It's an issue of folks who rely on masculinity/femininity extremes and stereotypes to order their understanding of the world. I like men. I just think the criminal system was designed by and for them. Women who brush up against it often in non-violent behaviors really lose. End the humiliation now.
This is common sense. Of
This is common sense. Of course prostitution is going to continue as it is one of the oldest professions. If they bother other people why not put aside a region where they can go? I am sure their paying customers will adjust their actions and this could mean more safety in nunbers. Housed prostitutes tend to be safer from all I've heard on the topic. Otherwise the only other issue I can find is that it is generally better to promote condom use when having sex with multiple partners. That should help with other problems with prostitution such as the spread of disease.