Summary: The Debate Over Decriminalizing Prostitution

Prostitutes are one of the most marginalized groups in our country. In general, these individuals choose to sell sex as a last resort and come into contact with sexual transmitted infections, abuse, rape, and even death. The United States preamble states that a goal of the U.S. government is to provide for the welfare of the general public. In this case, the general public means all of their citizens, including groups who are greatly marginalized. With prostitution being illegal, it is nearly impossible for sex workers to seek the help they need, despite the fact that they are the ones that usually need it the most. Decriminalizing prostitution will allow these individuals to finally receive the protection they deserve as citizens of the United States.

Due to the extensive amount of sexual partners sex workers have, higher rates of HIV than those of the general population are found among them. Although these individuals are the ones that need sexual health care more than most, with prostitution being illegal, it is difficult for sex workers to get the proper care they deserve. In turn, criminalizing prostitution contributes to the widespread HIV pandemic. In The Debate over

Besides murder, many prostitutes are victims of violence, abuse, and sexual assault. Although this corrupt maltreatment happens so often, the abusers are rarely penalized. Gerntholtz explains how if sex work were decriminalized, prostitution would then have the ability to come out of the shadows and shed light on those that are being trafficked; however when sex work is illegal people are less likely to come forward in fear of arrest and putting themselves at risk. It is important to note that while sex work is a choice, trafficking is not. By decriminalizing prostitution, a greater space is created to deal with the criminalized aspects that should be