Legalise prostitution?

[Romeo]

Why not? It's legal in Holland and Germany. It protects everyone concerned. Why don't we legalise it here?

[China Doll]

I have no idea, I think we should.

However, can you imagine it?

'Yes, great idea, get these girls protected... just not on my street...'

[MatydaLover]

Prostitution has never been illegal in the UK. It is the circumstances of the transaction that might be.

http://www.sw5.info/law.htm

[Octavius]

Technically it isn�t illegally, but there are elements of soliciting and profiteering from others which are.

I am not convinced that it 'protects everyone concerned' though.

[jojojojoanne]

why not?(for those who need protecting)
though what about the idea of the glass ceiling? (that is still in place)

[donegal]

yes i think it should be

[RALLYMARK]

if protitutes were made to register, had regular medical check ups, had to work indoors (brothels) and paid tax and insurance wouldn't it be better for all concerned.

[Octavius]

I am not saying it shouldn�t be, or that it wouldn�t help a vast majority of women who want to work in regulated safety. But some might not want to register and pay taxes. In Holland they tried make it a normal profession with normal working conditions. But Illegal prostitutes flourished and a high trade in eastern European women mean that the legalised brothels are losing business to the illegal pimps, who are recruiting women from the eastern block, promising the earth and forcing them to work as prostitutes. A (cheaper because of no taxes) black market will always exist it is exercising control that is an issue.

I presume you would also therefore accept and approve the legalisation of male prostitution in the same way. Or is it only OK for women?

[Ethel]

It is true there is still a lot of illegal prostitution in Holland, for various reasons.

It simply does not work - an excellent article here:

http://fleshtrade.blogspot.com/2006/02/abuses- in-prostitution.html

And Germany has around 40000 illegal prostitutes, so it doesn't work there either.

I don't know what the answer is.

[ruby27]

Interesting question and one that requires in my opinion quite a lot of thougt, not black or white answer. It depends a bit whether you see prostitutes as victims or sex workers and whether you consider that those who purchase sex are behaving acceptably or not. My own view is decriminalize for the victim but not for the punter and certainly not for anyone who profits from exploitation.

Studies/research in this area show that there is no easy answer and what can seem to be of benefit in one area, such as licenses can be issued to brothels, for example, with mandatory health-checks, which seem like a good idea but, these regulations intended to protect prostitutes. sometimes do just the opposite, according to sex worker groups like the US-based COYOTE

[Teddio]

Prostitution always involves the exploitation and abuse of women. It has no place in any civilised society. It may be the oldest profession but it's well past its sell-by date.

[ruby27]

Teddio
I think I know why you say women, mostly it is, but there is also a large number of young men who sell their bodies to adult males (often the punters are very clear in their minds they are not gay)

[velvet lady]

it would make my life easier

[fletcher.5]

Prostitution has never been illegal. It is only brushed under the carpet by the authorities or, contained in certain areas.
There is also the issue of the ruling classes closing down an avenue of pleasure which they themselves use for extra marital sex, which only they can afford.

[society]

Don't you think by legalizing prostitution kids might think it's ok for them to not get an education because they can earn wages without having any book sense at all? All the brilliant folks with smarts will eventually be expired, and I will be sorry for society then. Everyone will ultimately be knowledge less, clueless and outright dumb. Is this the kind of world we would want our children and grandchildren to be brought up in?