Legalizing Prostitution Research Paper

Prostitution is the world’s oldest profession. There will always be people willing to offer their bodies for money and there will always be people willing to pay for sex, and let’s face it, prostitution is not going away anytime sooner, so we should not expect that by looking to the other side it will suddenly cease to exist. The problem is that even when prostitution is a victimless crime, when is criminalized, it gives the opportunity to other illegal activities to take advantage of sex workers. Prostitution does not attract illegal activities, illegal activities attract prostitution. Prostitution should be legalized because it would reduce human trafficking, prevent STDs transmission and protect sex workers’ rights.

Legalizing prostitution will reduce human trafficking. Contrary to what people believe, prohibition of prostitution only gives human traffickers a cover, because women that are being forced into prostitution, do not want to go to the police in fear of being arrested and/or punished. Brook Williams, a University Wire journalist from the University of Utah, states, “Through legalizing and creating prostitution as a business . . . Sex trafficking

would decrease because there would be no need to take innocent girls captive when the availability of legal purchasing of prostitution is available.” By legalizing prostitution, human traffickers will lose power because they would not use the law to threaten their victims, also sex workers may approach the police to provide information about human trafficking practices, and it would also give the opportunity for clients to purchase legal prostitution.

In addition to reduce human trafficking, legalizing prostitution will prevent STDs transmission.

When prostitution is illegal sex workers are more prone to develop an STD, that is due to pimps that force them to have relationships unprotected, also they may not have access to healthcare or other services. Mark Liberator, an independent journalist, states that “Legalization [of prostitution] would require prostitutes to undergo regular medical examinations. STDs would be prevented from being spread as well as other communicable ailments.” Once prostitution is legalized, every sex worker can be required to wear condoms and be medically examined periodically so STDs transmissions can be prevented. Although it may seem hard to execute, it is not, because what sex workers are looking for, is money, not a

disease.
Not only does legalizing prostitution reduce human trafficking and prevent STDs transmission, but also, it would protect sex workers’ rights. Prostitution is arguably a victimless crime, but when it is mixed with illegal activities, sex workers are the ones that become victims. From pimps to customers, sex workers endure several abuse, and the worst part is that they cannot call the police because they would be the ones to get in trouble. Heidi Fless, a former madam, argues:
Prostitution should be legalized throughout the United States. The laws are currently written by and for men. I've been out of the business for 10 years, but I still hear stories of men who hit women, walk out without paying, or write checks to hookers and then stop payment. It's outrageous. Here's a woman who has performed a service to the best of her abilities and to her client's satisfaction. But nothing will happen to that client because he knows he won't be prosecuted for refusing to pay for sex. They go after the women in those cases, not the men.
If prostitution will be legalized, sex workers will have the rights they deserve. If a sex worker is raped, abused or if a client refuses to pay, she can complain to the police and even file lawsuit. Everyone deserves to be protected by law not regarding the type of work they do, and that includes sex workers.
Prostitution is not going to disappear if the government decides to ignore it, is a problem that needs a solution. If prostitution is legalized it would no longer be related to criminal activities, sex workers would have the rights every worker deserve and there would be a significant reduction in STDs transmission.