Category: Prostitution

Contrary to what many believe, prostitution is legal in many countries of the world, and Canada should not be left behind. For example, in the state of Nevada, USA, prostitution has been legal since early 1970’s. In Germany, prostitution is legal and is regulated by the municipal councils. Within the cities, like Munich, there are places that are designated for prostitution and are not allowed to operate outside certain limits. Within the city of Hamburg, prostitutes are only allowed to conduct their businesses in the nightclubs at certain hours. Whereas in Berlin, there are totally no restrictions and prostitutes can conduct their solicitations in the streets. Brothels in Germany are considered ordinary businesses, and do not require any license (Flowers 129). Most sex workers can be seen as independent contractors who pay taxes. In France, prostitution is not illegal, but what surrounds it is considered illegal. This view is almost similar to the Canadian view. French prostitutes pay taxes, and there are laws that prohibit soliciting for sex in public places. The laws governing prostitution in France prohibit individuals from selling or buying sex from persons who are below the age of 18. In Netherlands prostitution, brothels have been legal since 2000, so long as the workers are over 18 years and the client needs to be at least 16 years. The prostitutes are protected under the labor laws and have to pay taxes. The prostitutes must be registered with the authorities, and the municipalities do not require a license. In Greece, prostitution is legal, and each worker has to be registered, and must be at least 21 years. The prostitutes have to undergo medical checks after every two weeks, and any sex worker with medical records, which are not up to date, could be arrested (Weitzer 89). Prostitution, therefore, should be legalized because of the numerous benefits to the prostitutes, their customers, and the government.

In Canada, selling and buying of sex is legal, but and activities surrounding it is illegal. For instance, soliciting for sex in public and procuring of prostitution are all illegal. This implies that the outlawed activities which surround the sex trade will make it extremely difficult for the prostitutes to carry out their work without breaking the law. In fact, the exchange of sex for money has never been illegal in Canada (Malarek 65). This apparent contradiction has always generated controversy and confusion for many years, and that is the main reason why the prostitution should be legalized by the government so as to remove all the contradictions and confusions. In March 2012, in their ruling, the Supreme Court in Ontario legalized brothels citing the laws on prostitution as unfairly discriminating against the prostitutes and did not guarantee safer working environment for them. In their ruling, the judges observed that banning the brothels is a gross violation of sex workers’ rights. They further, argued that the only safe way for a prostitute to work indoors, should be in a location that is within her control (Weitzer). The implication of this ruling is that the prostitutes are now being brought into the society and are being recognized as full citizens. All laws governing prostitution in the whole country should change, because any attempt to criminalize prostitution, will only serve to push the industry underground, and these will give rise to predators (Weitzer 109).

The ruling of the judges was not to take effect immediately, but should take at least one year to allow the government to amend the criminal code. These changes will be applicable to the whole nation and not just the province of Ontario and when it is legalized it will protect all the players in the industry. Prostitution is touted as the oldest profession, and it is as old as humanity. It has existed despite being labeled as a criminal activity. A study by Simon Fraser University in British Colombia found that 80% of the surveyed persons were in favor of legalizing prostitution so as to protect the buyers and sellers of sex (Flowers 138). Those who favored the legalizing also expressed some form of government regulation in the industry. This study corroborates the argument made in the court of appeal in British Colombia, by a group of sex workers who challenged the constitutionality of the prostitution laws in Canada. This study found that 8% of those buying sex were gay, and 13% were bisexual. Also, those buying sex 65.7% said they never use a condom with their partner, a similar proportion said they have taken HIV test. 26.9% said they have been tested only once, and about 79% said they were hiding from t their partners that they were buying sex (Malarek 96). These findings indicate that the government has to legalize prostitution to guarantee the safety of others because the lives of many are always at risk. To reduce the risk factors is among the reasons why prostitution has to be legalized in the whole country. Illegal prostitution is placing the lives of many citizens at risk, and the government has a duty to ensure that safe sex is practiced by the prostitutes by regulating it. The government of Canada can take a cue from other countries, which have experienced greater success without criminalizing prostitution, for instance New Zealand and Australia, where they have registered numerous success measures for prostitution (Weitzer 105). The governments of the two countries have licensed the brothels, and it has been found to provide the safest working environment for the prostitutes. The brothels in the two countries have provided a sustainable model for crime free, safe, healthy, legal and licensed brothel industry. In Queensland, Australia, they are the best model for the sex industry. This is a clear indication that legal and well regulated prostitution is by far more superior compared to criminalizing it (Flowers 146).

Criminalizing prostitution has always been extremely expensive undertaking because money is spent on law enforcers to apprehend the prostitutes and their customers. They are put through the legal process, which is also extremely expensive. The police and the courts are overwhelmed with cases which have no effect on prostitution. The whole process of arresting, charging, and releasing them have not deterred prostitution (Malarek 102). They get back to prostitution, and the same process starts again. Legalizing prostitution will allow the government to manage the industry and ensure it is run like any other professional job. Legalizing is the position that all prostitutes support, all other measures that have been adopted previously have not taken into consideration the view of the prostitutes themselves. As stated earlier, prostitution is among the oldest profession, and it is not about to end any time soon. The reason why prostitution has persisted for many years is because there is a demand from men, and women are ready to supply it, and as long as there are people there will always be prostitution. The best way forward is to legalize it and manage it (Weitzer).

Works Cited

Flowers, Ronald B. The Prostitution of Women and Girls. Washington, DC: McFarland, 1998. Print.

Malarek, Victor. The Johns: Sex for Sale and the Men Who Buy It. Toronto: Skyhorse Publishing Inc., 2011. Print.

Weitzer, Ronald. Legalize Prostitution in Canada?. “CNN World International”. 2012. Web.

Weitzer, Ronald John. Legalizing Prostitution: From Illicit Vice to Lawful Business. New York, NY: NYU Press, 2011. Print.

Online prostitution associated with advertising erotic services with the help of such Internet sites as Craigslist.com and Backpage.com can be discussed as an important community problem typical for the state of Florida. In spite of its complex character, the immediate problem was effectively solved through such a law enforcement initiative as the S.T.O.P. (“Stop The Online Prostitution”) operation in 2009.

Thus, S.T.O.P., as a state’s law enforcement initiative, was designed to realize a series of arrests connected with the issue of online prostitution in Florida. The success of the operation and the necessity to provide the complex solution to the problem made the state authorities focus more on developing other law enforcement initiatives to address online prostitution and repeat the success of the S.T.O.P. operation in 2009.

To understand the role of this law enforcement initiative for the community’s stability, it is necessary to refer to the general idea of law enforcement initiatives and to Florida’s laws related to such crimes as prostitution. Law enforcement initiatives are usually the community-based programs and strategies which are promoted by the government and focused on reducing a certain types of crimes in the community, district, or state (Conser, Paynich, & Gingerich, 2011, p. 28). According to the state’s law, prostitution in Florida is defined as “the giving or receiving of the body for sexual activity for hire but excludes sexual activity between spouses” (The 2014 Florida Statutes, 2014).

Therefore, it is unlawful to “offer to commit, or to commit, or to engage in, prostitution, lewdness, or assignation” and “to aid, abet, or participate in any of the acts or things enumerated in this subsection” (The 2014 Florida Statutes, 2014). Prostitution related crimes are the reality in Florida because of the activities of such websites as Craigslist.com and Backpage.com which propose the lists of erotic services in the form of online advertisements.

Craigslist.com and Backpage.com are the largest websites which provide the space for free advertisements classified as “adult services”. These websites are discussed as the threat to the communities’ activities in Florida because of indirectly supporting online prostitution in the United States (Volusia County, Sheriff’s Office, 2009).

It is rather difficult to address the problem of online prostitution in the United States because, using the Internet, almost any person can offer and promote sex services anonymously. Referring to the provided anonymity, prostitutes can avoid law enforcement while contributing to increasing the rates of sex crimes in Florida and other states of the country.

The S.T.O.P. operation is a law enforcement initiative which was developed in 2009 in order “to catch prostitutes, who use popular websites to advertise services” (Volusia County, Sheriff’s Office, 2009). Thus, the operation was oriented to reduce prostitution in Florida while realizing a series of arrests in the state. The S.T.O.P. operation was composed of two stages. The first stage was based on the monitoring of such websites as Craigslist.com and Backpage.com in order to disclose advertisements proposing the erotic services and promoting prostitution (Volusia County, Sheriff’s Office, 2009). The monitoring was realized by policemen and representatives of the public organizations within the community.

The second stage was composed of arrests of prostitutes and their accomplices. Before starting the final stage of the operation, those detectives who participated in the program made calls using different phone numbers which were advertised online. Having set the dates with prostitutes, the group started the final stage of the program.

Arrests were realized by detectives when suspects agreed to offer sex services for the stated payment (Volusia County, Sheriff’s Office, 2009). The operation ended with 55 arrests in different counties of Florida. Furthermore, the law enforcement initiative was realized with the support of the Drug Enforcement Team, and several prostitutes were charged with possession of drugs.

The S.T.O.P. operation can be discussed as an effective example of the law enforcement initiative developed and supported in order to contribute to the communities’ stability in the state of Florida. The purpose of the law enforcement program was to reduce rates of online prostitution in Florida, and a series of arrests was reported as good results for starting the wide program oriented to addressing the issue of online prostitution in all the counties of the United States.

References

Conser, J., Paynich, R., & Gingerich, T. (2011). Law Enforcement in the United States. New York, NY: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.

The 2014 Florida Statutes. (2014). Web.

Volusia County, Sheriff’s Office: Sex crimes task forces – Net 55 arrests. (2009). Web.

Prostitution is not Oppressive of Women

Prostitution is one of the oldest professions in the world. It can be traced back several centuries, before the Israelites went to Egypt. It remains one of the most controversial professions in the current society. Prostitution can be considered as being oppressive of women, or not, given the perspective taken.

When a woman who is over 21 years decides to earn her living through prostitution after graduating from campus, it would be wrong to consider the act as oppressive. However, when a minor who lacks something to eat is forced into the profession, then this would be considered as oppression. Some states have legalized prostitution while others have not (Spector 54). However, it is a clear fact that prostitution is rampant all over the world.

When a woman makes a decision that the best way to earn her living is through prostitution, then it should not be considered as oppression, and neither should it be considered as a criminal offence. When a mature man decides to pay a mature woman in order to be intimate with her, this should not be considered a crime, as long as the act does not hurt other individuals. The two have freedom on how to manage their lives.

Use of Pornographic Materials by Women

The use of pornography among women has been on the rise. This is because of a number of facts. The first reason why women use pornography is the need to satisfy men sexually. The percentage of men who use pornography is higher than that of women. When men watch pornography, they would expect their women to do what the actor do in order to enhance satisfaction.

When they fail to get this from their wives, they would look for it from other women, especially the prostitutes (Weitzer 42). For this reason, the prostitutes will use pornography in order to satisfy customers who come their way. On the other hand, wives will use it to prevent their husbands from getting involved in extra-marital affairs.

Prostitution as a Victimless Crime

In its broadest term, a crime is any action of an individual that causes harm, physically or psychologically, to another individual (Ringdal 76). Taken in this context, prostitution can be considered as a victimless crime or otherwise. When a mature man makes a conscious decision to visit a joint, and engages a prostitute in a deal related to her profession, none of the two will be considered a victim.

The man is not offending the prostitute in any way. In fact, his presence is a joy to the prostitute. Similarly, the prostitute is not offending the man. In any case, the man took his time to look for the prostitute, a sign that she was of importance to him. When the two engage in the act, there will be no victim. Both will be engaging in an act that they approve of, and most likely enjoy.

Taken from another perspective, prostitution may have a victim. When a married man leaves her wife and engages in an affair with a prostitute, the wife will be the victim. The wife will be the victim because, that is her right, and it should not be shared with anyone, much less a prostitute. When the man is sexually infected in the process, he will transfer the infection to the wife, confirming that she is victimized by the act.

Works Cited

Ringdal, Nils. Love for Sale: A World History of Prostitution. New York: Grove Press, 2005. Print.

Spector, Jessica. Prostitution and Pornography: Philosophical Debate about the Sex Industry. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2006. Print.

Weitzer, Ronald. Legalizing Prostitution: From Illicit Vice to Lawful Business. New York: New York University Press, 2012. Print.

Hypothesis

The hypothesis for this research project is young men who practice controlled sex are more likely than their counterparts’ older men to consider that buying sex from prostitutes is not harmful. It is hypothesized that reducing prostitution would be achieved by investigating the behavior of men, who are alleged to be the buyers.

As such, information that relates to men, who are the clients of prostitutes, was obtained. Therefore, the objective of the research is to establish the relationship between the likelihood of men engaging in prostitution, and the various factors that cause men to indulge in prostitution.

Conceptualization

The main term applied in this project is client prostitution. This refers to men, who seek prostitution. In addition, men are perceived to be on the demand side of the demand-supply equation. The data variables used in this study are composed of background traits of men seeking prostitution, behaviors which are sex-related among men seeking prostitution, and the attitude of clients to violence against women. The dependent variable seeks to establish the likelihood of men engaging in prostitution. The independent variables show the various factors that cause men to engage in prostitution. The variables to be used in the study have been explained. The research variables are:

1. Age,
2. Prostitution is not harmful,
3. Probably likes to control sex.

Therefore, it is evident that the concept and the variables of the study have been well explained. The concept indicates that men seeking prostitution show certain behaviors. These behaviors are explained by the variables used in the research. It is easy to understand the meaning of each variable.

For example, it is clear that the variable, “prefer prostitution to relationship,” indicates that the respondents preferred engaging in prostitution to being in a relationship. The variable, “like control during sex,” means that the respondents preferred being controlled during sex. The variable, “like to have a variety of partners,” means that the respondents have many sex partners. The variable, “prostitution doesn’t harm anyone,” indicates that respondents agree that prostitution is harmless to all people.

The variable, “prostitution is not wrong,” refers to the fact that respondents perceive prostitution to be wrong. The variable, “currently married,” seeks to get information about the marital status of the respondents. Race refers to the racial background of the respondents. Age refers to the age of the respondents. Annual salary refers to the earnings of the respondents in a year. The variable, “support for the legalization or decriminalization of prostitution,” enquires whether the respondents accept prostitution to be accepted legally.

Operationalization

There is a link between the dependent and independent variables. For instant, prostitution does not harm anyone because it is not illegal, it is consent sex. However, in some cases, it happens due to peer pressure. As such, the participants do have not much control of their behavior. The variables; preferring prostitution to the relationship, like having a variety of partners, and like control during sex, were measured on a scale of 1 to 4. 1= Disagree strongly, 2 = Disagree Somewhat, 3= Agree Somewhat and 4= Agree.

The variables; prostitution doesn’t harm anyone, and prostitution is not wrong and currently married, were measured on two scales. 1= No and 2= Yes. The variable, race, was measured on a scale of 1 to 4: 1 = Caucasian, 2= African American, 3= Hispanic and 4= Asian. There were no measures for annual salary and age. Lastly, the variable, support for the legalization or decriminalization of prostitution, had 2 measures: 1= No to not at all and 10= 10 Yes-absolutely.

Independent variables

Dependent variable

Likelihood to engage in prostitution.

Research Method

Method used to carry out the research

This study chose to use a detailed anonymous questionnaire in conducting the research study. These questionnaires were distributed to the participants, who were required to provide answers to the questions that were asked. The questionnaires used both English and Spanish languages to facilitate data collection from the respective categories of participants. This method was chosen by the first researcher due to its effectiveness in collecting such data.

An anonymous questionnaire was the best method given the kind of information it was meant to collect. This is because some participants would not have been comfortable giving personal information that would cause them embarrassment. The use of the questionnaire as a method of data collection has been hailed as enhancing objectivity in a study.

This is because the responses are collected in a standard manner. Although questionnaires may take a long time to be designed, they enhance data collection once administered. Also, questionnaires can enable the collection of data from a large population under study compared to other methods like interviews (Berdie and Anderson, p. 17). On the other hand, there are various disadvantages that are associated with questionnaires, as a means of data collection. Since they are administered after an event, there is a likelihood of participants forgetting important aspects that might interest the researcher.

In addition, since they are standardized, it becomes impossible for the participants to offer explanations on certain points. Also, the open-ended questionnaires may lead to the generation of enormous information that may pose challenges during analysis. Another disadvantage is that the respondents may give superficial answers especially when the questionnaire is detailed. Lastly, the use of questionnaires presents a challenge especially when the respondents need some guidance from the researcher (Berdie and Anderson, p. 47).

The researcher ensured that the questionnaires were formulated in both English and Spanish language, to address some of the shortcomings of the questionnaire methods. This was meant to facilitate data collection from participants who were conversant with either of the language. The questionnaires were also made simple for easy understanding by the participants. The respondents were also given ample time to fill out the detailed questionnaire to avoid getting superficial answers. B).

The preferred method in conducting the research

This research can be best approached as exploratory research, as opposed to an empirical approach. In this respect, the qualitative tools of data gathering are the best suited in gathering data. Essentially, this research sought to establish the background characteristics, attitudes, and reported behaviors of those individuals arrested while soliciting for prostitutes. Therefore, to get to the bottom of this research problem, the most appropriate design was an exploratory research design.

Notably, exploratory research seeks to establish an in-depth understanding of a given aspect. Exploratory research design is usually effective in investigating an aspect that has not been comprehensively researched. The research problem chosen is an area that has not been studied by many scholars, and this makes the explorative research design the most appropriate compared to the others (McNabb, p. 96).

Having explored the disadvantages of using the questionnaire methodology in carrying out the previous research; interviews will be used in conducting this research study. As a data collection method, the interview is made up of a social situation between two individuals. In an interview, there is a psychological process involved that demands the individuals concerned to interact in mutual respect. Interview is regarded as one of the critical tool in collecting data in a research process.

Interview involves a direct and systematic interaction between the interviewer and the respondent. This enables the interviewer to capture relevant data regarding a certain research problem (Wood and Kerr, p. 182). Interviews are hailed to seek their capabilities to get a response even if the respondent is illiterate.

Other methods such as the questionnaire are only useful when the respondents are literate. Interviews are also praised to seek their capability to offer the interviewer an opportunity to seek in-depth information from the respondents. It has also to be observed that interviews can lead to a higher response rate among the respondents compared to other methods, such as the questionnaire (Wood and Kerr, p. 183). Given the complexity of the research, interview method is the best to come up with reliable data. This is because interviews provide an in-depth understanding of the concept under study.

Interviews explore the thinking and feelings of individuals on a certain issue. They are also good in investigating sensitive topics that individuals would not comfortably discuss in a focus group. This method also adds a human touch to impersonal data. In addition, it facilitates a deep understanding and explanation of statistical data.

The major disadvantage associated with this method is that, it requires more time to implement than the other methods such as the questionnaire. Also, this method is said to be quite expensive, and cannot be effective when dealing with a large sample population. Another drawback regarding this method is that the interviewer can influence the data being collected if he or she lacks consistency (Westenholz-Bless and Achola, p. 119).

Sampling framework

The researcher made use of a simple convenience sampling method. This method of sampling enabled the researcher to gather information from all participants who had consented to taking part in the research process. The choice of this sampling method was necessitated by the advantages associated with this method. In essence, convenience sampling has few rules and thus easy to implement. Also, this method of sampling does not consume a lot of resources.

This can be gauged in terms of money and time. Lastly, convenience sampling enables the researcher to gather data, which could not have been possible through probability sampling techniques (Fonseca-Becker and Boore, p. 51). Although this form of sampling was chosen as the best suited for the research, it has its shortcomings.

It can be noted that this form of sampling is characterised by various biases. Therefore, the resulting samples may present the problem of over or under- representation. Another disadvantage associated with convenience sampling is that the resulting sample is often not representative of the overall population (Lewis-Beck, Bryman and Liao, p. 197). This is because there is no sampling frame for the study and the absence of randomness in choosing the sample population.

Works Cited

Berdie, Douglas and John Anderson. Questionnaires: Design and Use. Metuchen, N.J: Scarecrow Press, 1986. Print.

Fonseca-Becker, Fannie and Amy Boore. Community Health Care’s O-Process for Evaluation: A Participatory Approach for Increasing Sustainability. New York, NY: Springer, 2008. Print.

Lewis-Beck Michael, Alan Bryman and Tim Futing Liao. The Sage Encyclopedia of Social Science Research Methods. Thousand Oaks, Calif: Sage, 2004. Print.

McNabb, David. Research Methods for Political Science: Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches. Armonk, N.Y: M.E. Sharpe, 2010. Print.

Westenholz-Bless, Claire and Paul Achola. Fundamentals of Social Research Methods: An African Perspective. Cape Town, South Africa: Juta Legal and Academic Publishers, 2007. Print.

Wood, Marilynn and Janet Kerr. Basic Steps in Planning Nursing Research: From Question to Proposal. Sudbury, Mass: Jones and Bartlett, 2011. Web.

Introduction

Over the years, prostitution has been a major topic of discussion within legal circles in the United States of America. Although there are no existing federal laws that define the legality of the occupation, most state governments have laws that criminalize the activities of people who engage in sexual intercourse for money (Farley 12). According to reports by various economic firms, prostitution spreads widely across the country in a lucrative industry that operates with minimal regulations. It is important to note that the federal government is not enumerated to regulate prostitution by the constitution (Raphael 30). This mandate is relegated to the state governments under the tenth amendment.

Although there have been numerous campaigns geared towards the regulation of commercial sex, not all state governments have made the necessary efforts towards achieving the feat. Various arguments have been developed with regard to the advantages and disadvantages of legalizing prostitution in the United States (Kyle 42). One of the main factors behind this course has been numerous studies, which have established that commercial sex can be safe and profitable as long as the necessary regulatory measures are in place. These measures include regular testing of sex workers for sexually transmitted diseases and infections in order to keep their clients safe. Currently, the state of Nevada is the only one in the country where the occupation has been legalized up to the county levels (Farley 22). This gives a clear indication that the industry is highly unregulated, thus showing the huge gap that the relevant authorities have to fill.

Discussion

Studies have established that prostitution is a highly lucrative occupation that attracts even the educated people who have limited opportunities for income generation. Over the years, many people have believed that this industry is only suited to people with little education and of low social class. Another interesting element about prostitution in the United States is the fact that it is based on family ties and close friendships (Morehouse 100). The huge client base for commercial sex workers is the white population, closely followed by Latinos and the African Americans.

The structure of the legal system in the country is one of the elements that have influenced the growth and expansion of the occupation over the years. According to the country’s laws, prostitution identifies as a public order crime because the authorities believe it highly contributes to disruption of community order (Kyle 52). The root cause of discrimination against prostitution in the country was the allegations of white slavery that started in 1908. At the time, the federal government carried out a survey among prostitutes in a bid to establish the way they got into the business. A number of the prostitutes claimed that they got into the commercial sex as victims of white slavery that entailed kidnappings (Morehouse 109). The findings of the report led to the creation of the White-Slave Traffic Act of 1910 in a bid to end the transportation of females across states for commercial sex and other immoral purposes.

The Supreme Court is highly involved in the process of discriminating prostitution in the country. Its first major involvement was during the ruling on the Mann Act, where it expounded on the definition of immoral purposes involving women to include polygamy, adultery, and consensual debauchery (Kyle 66). Another major legal provision that sought to discriminate prostitution in the country is the Chamberlain-Khan Act of 1918. This legislation mandated the government to quarantine a woman with suspicions of having a sexually transmitted disease, where if a medical examination showed its presence them one would be charged on a count of engaging in prostitution (Raphael 67).

The act was mainly created to caution the soldiers fighting in World War I against venereal diseases. However, the fortunes of prostitutes have improved over time due to the nature of the country’s legal system, which allows everyone a chance to be heard. In Mortensen vs. United States, a lawsuit filed in 1944, the Supreme Court gave commercial sex workers the right to travel across states as long as their movements were not geared towards engaging in prostitution (Raymond 33). New York City probably made the biggest move geared towards legalizing prostitution, when they removed the need for massage parlors to have licenses. This easily turned most of the parlors into brothels. Many states followed this example and allowed for brothels as they sought to create more avenues for revenue generation (Carroll 206).

Reports indicate that the working conditions of sex workers and the involvement of courts are two major elements that have changed a lot over the years, especially after the turn of the century. The first element has been greatly influenced by technological advancements through increased use of cell phones and the internet. Unlike in the past where prostitutes were only accessible in brothels and along the streets, technology has created a new category of prostitutes called call girls (Morehouse 128). This means that all that a contemporary prostitute needs to have is a functioning cell phone and an active social media account to access as many clients as possible off the streets. With regard to the involvement of the courts, the decision by the Supreme Court to approve the use of contraceptive pills in 1960 made it better for prostitutes because they managed to prevent unwanted pregnancies (Raymond 41). Over the years, a number of prostitute rights groups have been formed with an aim to garner more respect for the occupation and fight against harsh punishments against prostitutes from the legal structure (Morehouse 133). Many prominent and powerful people have fallen from glory over the years for allegedly admitting or being caught soliciting for the services of sexual workers.

Challenges related to the legalization of prostitution

Over the years, there have been a number of arguments opposed to a proposal by various lobby groups to legalize prostitution. These arguments develop based on cultural believes and religion. One of the major cons of legalizing prostitution is the fact that it encourages immorality, thus discrediting the institution of marriage. Most cultures and religions believe that sex is a preserve for marriage, although the existence of commercial sex workers has continually created inconsistencies in its application (Carroll 221). People who are involved in prostitution, either as workers or as clients also tend to degrade themselves in terms of socialization and respect.

Another major challenge associated with the legalization of prostitution is the fact that it provides a true reflection of the few opportunities for income generation. Studies have established that most sex workers do not engage in the occupation out of will, but are rather forced by economic reasons. This also connects with human trafficking, which also identifies as a major challenge of legalizing prostitution (Raymond 49). Courts in the United States handle numerous cases of human trafficking, where innocent women are forced into prostitution under the pretense of getting better jobs. Cases of sex slavery are also a common element of prostitution that the country’s legal system has struggled to address over the years (Carroll 223).

Opponents of the proposal to legalize prostitution also identify violence as one of the main challenges faced by commercial sex workers. According to a report by the federal government, the rate of violence in the prostitution industry is very high compared to other occupations regardless of its legality (Weitzer 111). The current legal structure applied in the country applies to the disadvantage of commercial sex workers because they are not existing clauses that offer them protection or compensation in case they suffer different forms of abuse in the line of duty. Commercial sex rights activists argue that the American legal structure has neglected them and failed to legally recognize their industry, despite the fact that it’s a key pillar of the economy.

Another disadvantage of legalizing prostitution is the increased probability of spreading sexually transmitted diseases and infections (Weitzer 119). Reports indicate that a number of people that seek the services of prostitutes do not use protection, thus predisposing themselves to the danger of contracting various deadly diseases. The country’s legal structure has made numerous efforts to increase the awareness about the importance of practicing safe sex across all age groups. Another challenge associated with legalizing prostitution is the increased threat of social instability (Farley 109). This phenomenon is characterized by a high number of men without families. In addition, cases of infidelity also tend to increase because men have easier access to women for extramarital affairs.

Effect of the current legal system

The current legal system has been highly criticized for its failure to adequately, address the legality of the commercial sex industry. Although the occupation is regarded as highly immoral across various societies, a number of countries that have legalized it and reaped numerous benefits from doing so (Flowers 79). One of the main reasons behind the huge criticism towards the current system is its inability to protect women from the abuse and violence they suffer from engaging in commercial sex. In most cases, abused prostitutes tend to suffer in silence because they cannot report their violators. Such situations discourage women from seeking help because they fear being arrested and charged for engaging in illegal business. One of the best ways of mitigating this challenge is recognizing the legality of the commercial sex industry and allowing prostitutes to form organizations through which they can fight for their rights (Albert 9).

The current legal structure is very oppressive of sex workers, thus undermining their plights for better treatment. The biggest beneficiaries of the current legal system are the people who seek the services of prostitutes, as well as pimps. According to federal reports, pimps often procure customers for commercial sex workers and in the process make a lot of income that goes untaxed. The report also establishes the income projections that the federal government is losing from the commercial sex industry, simply because there are existing legal frameworks for regulating and monitoring its activities (Albert 11). The people who enjoy the services of prostitutes are also big beneficiaries of the current legal structure because they can easily get away with cases of abuse and violence towards women. In addition, they also have the benefit of negotiating for the price they pay to receive any service because there are no operational frameworks necessary in determining the prices (Weitzer 128).

Fixing the problem

One of the most important things to consider in any attempts to address the disadvantages associated with legalizing prostitution is the need to come up with the necessary legislation. This includes acts that will legalize the activities of commercial sex workers and tax their income. This will play a huge role in making the industry players feel more appreciated because their occupation has a direct impact on the growth of the economy (Flowers 86). The most effective legislation that I would write to address this challenge would integrate the importance of creating more avenues for income generation for the people with the need for relevant authorities to streamline the crucial sectors of the economy. It is important to ensure that the input of the legal team applies effectively, because all citizens ought to be treated equally regardless of their occupation, age, gender, race or religion (Albert 20). Another strategy that would effectively address this challenge is creating a government agency, whose mandate would be to streamline the industry by identifying the main avenues for revenue creation and regulating the category of people involved in the business. There ought to be an age limit for the people that can be allowed to visit brothels. However, the huge challenge would be limiting the activities of call girls who are easily accessible through websites and cell phones.

The government should reduce the requirements for registration of brothels as a way of encouraging commercial sex workers off the streets and being part of the legalized system (Flowers 100). It is also important to ensure that prostitutes are not allowed to operate in the streets. This will play a crucial role in making the industry gain some reputation and prevent exposing young people to the existence of the occupation. The federal government should also take more responsibility in regulating the industry by coming up with legislation that requires all state governments to register brothels within their jurisdiction (Barkan 161). Legalizing prostitution will also go a long way in reducing the disgrace associated with the occupation because commercial sex workers will have a legal identity.

Conclusion

Studies have established that prostitution is widely spread than many people or the authorities choose to believe. Over the years, the commercial sex industry has developed into a lucrative sector of the economy that supports millions of families across the world. Although the occupation has been marred with a lot of stigma and social disgrace, it is the high time for the relevant authorities recognize its existence and come up with effective legislation to regulate its activities. The benefits of legalizing prostitution outweigh its disadvantages. However, this does not mean that the cons should be ignored because they will definitely affect part of the population. The commercial sex industry is a sector that can easily affect the social order in any community if the right regulatory measures are not put in place. On the other hand, legalizing and regulating the industry in an effective manner would provide the government with more avenues for revenue creation and ensuring a healthier nation.

Works Cited

Albert, Alexa. Brothels of Nevada: Candid Views of America’s Legal Sex Industry. Princeton Architectural Press, 2003.

Barkan, Steven. Myths and Realities of Crime and Justice. Jones & Bartlett Publishers, 2013.

Carroll, Janell. Sexuality Now: Embracing Diversity. Cengage Learning, 2012.

Farley, Melissa. Prostitution, Trafficking and Traumatic Stress. Psychology Press, 2003.

Flowers, Ronald. The Prostitution of Women and Girls. McFarland, 2010.

Kyle, David. Global Human Smuggling: Comparative Perspectives. JHU Press, 2013.

Morehouse, Christal. Combating Human Trafficking: Policy Gaps and Hidden Political Agendas in the USA and Germany. Springer Science & Business Media, 2009.

Raphael, Jody. Listening to Olivia: Violence, Poverty, and Prostitution. UPNE, 2004.

Raymond, Janice. Not a Choice, not a Job: Exposing the Myths about Prostitution and the Global Sex Trade. Potomac Books, 2013.

Weitzer, Ronald. Legalizing Prostitution: From Illicit Vice to Lawful Business. NYU Press, 2012.

Introduction

All over the world, prostitution exists and the practice seems to be gaining roots in almost every part of the world. Although the practice was very popular in western countries initially, it is today rampant in every continent. This paper looks at the act of prostitution in the United States and whether it should be kept illegal.

The Existing System in the United States

The United States is one of the few developed Western countries which criminalize prostitution. Denmark, the Netherlands, West Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Austria all have legalized prostitution, although in some of the countries it is restricted by local ordinances. Therefore, where prostitution is permitted, it is closely regulated (Spector 415). Suppose that we accept that gender equality is a legitimate goal of social policy. The question is whether the current legal prohibition on prostitution in the United States promotes gender equality. Most probably, it does not. The current legal policies in the United States arguably exacerbate the factors in virtue of which prostitution is wrong.

The current prohibition on prostitution renders the women who engage in the practice vulnerable. First, the participants in the practice seek assistance from pimps in lieu of the contractual and legal remedies which are denied them. Male pimps may protect women prostitutes from their customers and from the police, but the system of pimp-run prostitution has enormous negative effects on the women at the lowest rungs of prostitution. Second, the prohibition of prostitution raises the dilemma of the double bind. If we prevent prostitution without greater redistribution of income, wealth, and opportunities, we deprive poor women of one way of improving their condition. Analogously, we do not solve the problem of homelessness by criminalizing it (Spector 416).

Furthermore, women are disproportionately punished for engaging in commercial sex acts. Many state laws make it worse a crime to sell sex than to buy it. Consequently, pimps and clients are rarely prosecuted. In some jurisdictions, patronizing a prostitute is not illegal. The record of arrests and convictions is also highly asymmetric. This is can be deduced easily when one considers that ninety percent of all convicted prostitutes are women. Studies have shown that male prostitutes are arrested with less frequency than female prostitutes and receive shorter sentences. One study of the judicial processing of 2,859 male and female prostitutes found that judges were more likely to find defendants guilty if they were female (Spector 416).

Should Prostitution Be Legalized?

According to Spector (414), it is important to distinguish between prostitution’s wrongness and the legal response that we are entitled to make to that wrongness. Even if prostitution is wrong, we may not be justified in prohibiting it if that prohibition makes the facts in virtue of which it is wrong worse, or if its costs are too great for other important values.

As explained in the preceding section, the current legal prohibition on prostitution unambiguously benefits women as a class because the cultural meaning of the current governmental prohibition of prostitution in the United States is not clear. While an unrestricted regime of prostitution could have negative external consequences on women’s self-perceptions and perceptions by men, state prohibition can also reflect a view of women which contributes to their inequality. For example, some people tend to support state regulation because they believe that women’s sexuality is for purposes of reproduction, a claim tied to traditional ideas about women’s proper role (Farley 22).

There is an additional reason why banning prostitution seems an inadequate response to the problem of gender inequality and which suggests a lack of parallel with the case of commercial surrogacy. Banning prostitution would not by itself eliminate it. While there is reason to think that making commercial surrogacy arrangements illegal or unenforceable would diminish their occurrence, no such evidence exists about prostitution. There is no single city that has eliminated prostitution merely through criminalization. Instead, criminalized prostitution thrives as a black market activity in which pimps substitute for law as the mechanism for enforcing contracts. It, therefore, makes the lives of prostitutes worse than they might otherwise be and without clearly counteracting prostitution’s largely negative image of women.

Clearly, if a decision is made to ban prostitution, these problems must be addressed. On the other hand, if a decision is made not to ban prostitution, then the government must be careful to regulate the practice in order to address its negative effects (Farley 24). Certain restrictions on advertising and recruitment will be necessary so as to address the negative image effects that an unrestricted regime of prostitution would perpetuate. Beyond any doubt, the current regime of prostitution has negative effects on prostitutes themselves. It places their sexual capacities largely under the control of men. To promote women’s autonomy, the law needs to ensure that certain restrictions are in place.

Over the years, women’s movements have been at the forefront to fight prostitution with claims that the practice represents male dominance, and that women, especially prostitutes, are victims (Balk 82). The prostitutes’ interest groups, however, emphasize that society should treat their occupation as any other source of livelihood. According to advocates of prostitution, sex workers should not be branded as victims as this undermines their self-determination. Where prostitution is legal, there is no need for protective services for the prostitutes. Where there is a need to oversee their working conditions, all laws and practices that make sex workers unable to go out in search of health care and social services need to be overturned.

Balk (84) claims that state systems of control and prohibition of brothels can lead to illegal employment relationships and, at worst, to slave-like working conditions. Based on history, criminalization only increases crime by driving the illegal acts underground. People who wish to keep prostitution illegal usually use as their rationale, a laundry list of problems created by the black market nature of the sex trade.

Decriminalization, on the other hand, gives authorities greater control over activities that take place regardless. After the Netherlands overturned its widely ignored 1912 ban on brothels in the year 2000, these businesses became tax-paying establishments with the standard employee benefit requirements. The idea behind overturning the ban was to weed out illegal immigrants, forced prostitution, and underage girls (Balk 90).

Studies have shown, again and again, that sex workers are less likely to spread sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or get unwanted pregnancies than other sexually promiscuous people. However, laws legalizing prostitution do not remove the social stigma that still surrounds their job.

Conclusion

Many advocates of decriminalization or legalization of prostitution believe that it would significantly lower the enormous costs associated with enforcing prostitution laws (Flowers 156).

Due to the fact that prostitution is already illegal but usually consensual, few prostitutes ever report the illegality of their sex acts to the police. As a result, law enforcement must often go to the consensual offenders through various means of deceit and trickery to enforce prostitution statutes and create opportunities to spend more crime allocated funds.

References

Balk, Antti. Balderdash: A Treatise on Ethics, Washington, DC: Thelema Publications, 2012. Print.

Farley, Melissa. Prostitution, Trafficking, and Traumatic Stress, New York, NY: Routledge, 2012. Print.

Flowers, Ronald. The Prostitution of Women and Girls, Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland, 1998. Print.

Spector, Jessica. Prostitution and Pornography: Philosophical Debate About the Sex Industry, Stanford, California: Stanford University Press, 2006. Print.

Introduction

More than two billion individuals use social media sites, including Instagram, Youtube, Snapchat, Facebook, and Twitter. These digital environments undoubtedly influence human connection and communication. Many people see these high-tech advancements as chances to interact with communities they may not otherwise have met (Boukemidja, 2018). Human traffickers use social media to find, conduct operations, and manipulate their victims. Human trafficking includes slave labor and forced prostitution. Apart from labor and sexual exploitation, trafficking includes forced crime such as drug trafficking, stealing, and pickpocketing. While child sexual exploitation and abuse are illegal under national, local, and international law, the sorts of offenses considered such crimes vary. Online grooming, sexual exploitation material such as videos, child sexual abuse, and live broadcasting of child prostitution are examples of offenses prohibited by existing laws. Online victimization, specifically cyberstalking and prostitution, is examined in this research, along with potential remedies.

Millions of people internationally utilize the internet, especially in the US and developing nations like Albania, Herzegovina, and Bosnia. Most developing nations have a history of corruption, civil war, and authoritarian rule, leaving populations vulnerable (O’Brien, 2017). Crooks can engage with susceptible persons like young girls and women without instantly identifying themselves as criminals. Interagency task teams that guarantee a victim-centered approach may help minimize human trafficking and cyberstalking.

Discussion of Challenges

Communication via social networking sites or other open online forums may be useful personally and professionally if done responsibly and safely. There are countless negative effects of using the internet irresponsibly. A few examples include cyberstalking and prostitution (Taylor et al., 2019). Even while cyberstalking may take a variety of forms, in the widest sense, it refers to stalking or mistreatment that occurs via the internet, such as through social media, chat groups, or email. Most people who engage in cyberstalking have some prior knowledge of the victims. Slander, defamation, and threats are all types of libel that may be used against people, groups, or even whole organizations (Holt, 2018). The goal may be to gain control over or frighten the victim and obtain information that may be used in other crimes such as identity theft or physical stalking, such as harassment. Internet users are not to fault, but there are plenty of easy targets in today’s world. Using social media as an example, many people nowadays have no qualms about openly disclosing personal information, having open conversations about their thoughts and wishes, or exposing images of their families.

Professional attackers are notoriously difficult to track down and bring to justice because of their skill at hiding behind false identities. Aside from that, most nations still do not have particular legislation in place to combat cyberstalking. Cyberstalking, for example, is covered under bullying and anti-stalking legislation in the United States. A fine or even jail may be imposed, depending on the gravity of the offense (Taylor et al., 2019). The Violence against Women Act of 1994 expressly addresses cyberstalking. Stalking by digital communication is still ineffectively addressed by federal legislation, and state laws are still best suited to see it implemented. California passed the nation’s first anti-cyberstalking legislation. Some of the most notable cyberstalking court cases have occurred since 1999.

When individuals are forced to sell their bodies to make ends meet, it is not just organized criminals driving the global sex trade. Human traffickers exploit their victims by luring, kidnapping, and holding them captive for financial benefit. Victims may be enticed by the promise of freedom from hardships like poverty or an abusive household (Nashit, 2019). For some people, the advantages of forced labor and exploitation will exceed the drawbacks. Human trafficking and cyberstalking may be curbed by addressing the core issues that render individuals susceptible, such as poverty, unemployment, and a lack of safe movement options.

Using juvenile enticement or sexual solicitation as a means of grooming is known as child grooming. In other words, an adult cunningly becomes friends with children to molest them sexually (Taylor et al., 2019). Males are more likely than females to engage in grooming. This crime usually takes place in phases, starting with victim selection in most situations. Perpetrators may access children’s profiles on a wide range of social media platforms and communication applications that they use to communicate with them (Holt et al., 2017). Violent offenders choose a victim based on a variety of factors, including their own wants and weaknesses (for example, a lack of privacy settings on the social media platforms children utilize), as well as the victim’s appeal to the perpetrators.

When a victim has been chosen, the assailant makes contact with them to obtain entry. After that, the offender makes an effort to get to know the victim on a personal level. A criminal can get information on the victim by searching online (Taylor et al., 2019). It is also likely that they will pretend to have similar talents and interests to the victim to develop rapport with them and gain their confidence. The offender intends to turn the friendship into something more serious (Taylor et al., 2019). The perpetrator weighs the likelihood of being caught before engaging in sexual exploitation or abuse (for instance, by asking the victim if parents or guardians check their accounts or smartphones). The perpetrators express their desire for secrecy and exclusivity in their connection with the victim by isolating the latter. However, there are always exceptions to the rule.

When it comes to things like cyberstalking and prostitution, online grooming, human trafficking, or exploitation, there is no linear process; instead, the existing dynamic progression depends on the offender’s intent, skills, motivations, and ability to manage and control the victim. To sexually abuse the target, the eventual objective of digital grooming is to manipulate or coerce the victim into sending a sexually explicit photograph or video to the offender or by meeting face-to-face with the victims to exploit them sexually. Cyberstalking and online grooming are addressed in International and regional laws such as the Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution, and Children Pornography, in addition to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) of 2000. These laws aim to reduce the profiling of children for cyberstalking and prostitution, online grooming, human trafficking, and other forms of exploitation (Boukemidja, 2018). Other international treaties and directives specifically penalize child exploitation, cyberstalking, and prostitution, as well as human trafficking and exploitation in general.

Discussion of Solutions

It is critical to identify viable solutions to reduce the prevalence of cyberstalking, prostitution, human trafficking, exploitation, and child targeting. Several alternative remedies should be undertaken to lessen the prevalence of cyberstalking and prostitution globally (Taylor et al., 2019). Human trafficking prevention starts with public education to establish victims and prevent cyberstalking and prostitution (O’Brien, 2017). This will help victims comprehend and conquer their fear of perpetrators, thereby helping to isolate criminals. Once criminals are identified, international organizations should unite to combat cyberstalking and punish traffickers.

Increased Awareness

The nations with the highest frequency of human trafficking have the fewest articles on the subject, which indicates widespread ignorance. Advertising is one of the most effective strategies to increase awareness about human trafficking (Taylor et al., 2019). Educating the public regarding human trafficking is among the simplest yet most effective strategies to raise public awareness. Social media campaigns are one technique to raise awareness about human trafficking. Social marketing efforts aim to change behavior. One such effort is “Real Men Don’t Buy Girls”, which attempts to eliminate juvenile sex trafficking and prostitution. Ads can help recognize victims and assist in preventing human trafficking (Holt et al., 2017). In addition to identifying victims, it is critical to educate internet users on cyberstalking, prostitution, and the effects of trafficking.

Maintaining Low Profile

Maintaining a low online profile can be difficult for certain people, especially those who need to utilize social media platforms for interaction or business purposes. However, many people may benefit from enhanced enlightenment. It is important to avoid publishing personal information like contact address and telephone number and think twice about sharing current information like where one is and who they are with. So many individuals continually publish personal information, including on social media platforms (Taylor et al., 2019). Completing questionnaires or applying for discounts increases the risk of someone obtaining their personal data and facilitating cyberstalking.

Uphold Excellent Digital Hygiene

Digital Hygiene is an essential issue, especially when it comes to social media. Excellent digital hygiene protects internet users against cyberbullying, exploitation, and cyberstalking. One of the first measures to ‘tidy up’ personal accounts is to change privacy settings. Most social networking sites and internet accounts allow users to choose who may see and contact them. Nonetheless, it is wise to keep platforms such as timeline, newsfeed, and message threads devoid of nasty remarks (Boukemidja, 2018). Beyond perhaps inciting additional hatred from others, re-reading such comments may have a powerful emotional impact. For example, website moderators receive frequent psychiatric help since reading abusive remarks, even those not addressed to them, causes severe distress. Girls and women need to be careful on social media. While most online assaults target males, cyberstalking and prostitution mainly target women.

International and Multiagency Contribution

Multinational cooperation is one of the most effective ways to combat cyberstalking and human trafficking. The US believes that up to one million individuals are trafficked every year. Almost no country is immune to sex trafficking or cyberstalking (O’Brien, 2017). As a result, international authorities should collaborate to decrease trafficking victims. Governments should work together to combat human trafficking. Because jurisdictional difficulties may hinder multi-agency engagement, legislation should be passed permitting cross-border jurisdiction to combat trafficking (Taylor et al., 2019). For example, the US laws grant regulatory authority over child sex tourists and crimes committed by American individuals abroad. It is vital that traffickers know they will be held to account even if they undertake crime across borders.

International collaboration is vital in reducing human trafficking. Similar crimes ought to be punished equally to achieve international collaboration in the fight against human trafficking. Governments should agree on protocols for sharing evidence and extraditing traffickers (Taylor et al., 2019). Countries cannot effectively collaborate without bilateral cooperation treaties as this hampers the effective reduction of human trafficking and cyberstalking. Extradition is a procedure through which convicts are taken to the country in which they were prosecuted (Holt et al., 2017). Mutual legal support in investigations and prosecutions, anti-money laundering systems, asset freezing and forfeiture cooperation, victim protection, and deportation regulations are further factors for nations participating in transnational cooperation.

Conclusion

Over two billion people worldwide utilize social media platforms such as Instagram, Youtube, Snapchat, Facebook, and Twitter. Crooks may approach vulnerable individuals such as young girls and women without immediately identifying themselves as criminals. Interagency task forces that prioritize victim safety may help reduce human trafficking and cyberstalking. The majority of those who participate in cyberstalking have some previous information about their targets. Professional attackers are notoriously difficult to apprehend and prosecute due to their ability to conceal themselves behind phony identities. Human trafficking and cyberstalking may be eradicated by addressing the root causes of vulnerability, such as poverty, unemployment, and a lack of secure travel choices. Prevention of human trafficking begins with public education to identify victims and to deter cyberstalking and prostitution. After identifying offenders, international organizations should band together to prevent cyberstalking and prosecute traffickers. International collaboration is a very successful strategy for combating cyberstalking and human trafficking. Since jurisdictional issues may impede multi-agency participation, it is vital that legislation authorizing cross-border jurisdiction be enacted to fight trafficking. Governments should agree on processes for exchanging evidence and extraditing cyberstalking and prostitution criminals.

References

Boukemidja, N. B. (2018). Cyber crimes against women: Qualification and means. European Journal of Social Sciences, 1(3), 34-44. Web.

Holt, T. J. (2018). Regulating cybercrime through law enforcement and industry mechanisms. The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 679(1), 140-157. Web.

Holt, T. J., Bossler, A. M., & Seigfried-Spellar, K. C. (2017). Cybercrime and digital forensics: An introduction (2^nd ed.). Routledge.

Nashit, M. (2019). Global cybercrimes, associated laws and befitting policies for Pakistan. Defence Journal, 22(10), 46-54.

O’Brien, M. A. (2017). Free speech or slavery profiteering: Solutions for policing online sex-trafficking advertisement. Vanderbilt Journal of Entertainment & Technology Law, 20(1), 289-317.

Taylor, R. W., Fritsch, E. J., Liederbach, J., Saylor, M. R., & Tafoya, W. L. (2019). Cyber crime and cyber terrorism (4^th ed.). Pearson.