Prostitution Should Be Legal

1. The Nordic Approach The Swedish Law punishes those who buy the sex, and not those who were bought. I thought that was pretty straightforward. The Nordic approach has been found to be highly successful, reducing prostitution usage, violence, and trafficking. Other pro-prostitution laws have had the opposite effect, increasing violence (or having no effect) but often increasing trafficking [1]. 2. Consensual sex Often, something being consensual is an illusion. Research studying 9 countries (some of which where prostitution was legal) 89% of prostitutes say they have been forced to be a prostitute, whether it be through coercion or trickery. Further, the amount of trafficking for prostitutes in New Zealand have increased since prostitution decriminalization, presumably increasing the amount of forced prostitutes [1]. The amount of “consensual” sex in the prostitution business is fairly low. However, what about that 11%? Merely because something is consensual does not make it correct. A gladiator fight, for example, is consensual, but that does not mean the state should let people do what they want with their bodies. 3. Black Markets Everyone agrees you can’t end prostitution; however my opponent assumes legalization will reduce the amount of black markets (and violence) if prostitution was legalized. However, this is simply not the case. The Swedish experience clearly shows reduced violence, coercion, and increases safety by increasing the controls on prostitution [2]. Further, we need to decipher what is intrinsic to all prostitution, and what is not. For example, Farley and Kelly write that violence is, “intrinsic to prostitution.”[3] As violence is intrinsic to prostitution, even when legal, the question is how to best curb some of this violence. Legalization in New Zealand has increased abuse in brothels. What is also interesting is that in Auckland there was a 200-400% increase in street prostitutes (in other words, illegal prostitutes [1]). Although it seems intuitive that legalization would decrease violence and illegal trafficking and black markets, it is shown that the opposite occurs every time. Even in counties in Nevada where prostitution is legal, traffickers often ask to buy the brothels (and it is often answered with a “sure”[1]). My opponent and I agree that helping these women is paramount, but the literature indicates legalization is the worst thing to do when attempting to curb black markets, or increase safety. 4. The victimless crime The largest victim in this case is the prostitute, as noted often coerced into the business. Legalization increases the amount of street prostitutes. Now, illegal prostitutes are raped about 55 times a year and legal prostitutes 33 times a year. I would say that’s about the same, as one rape is unacceptable. Now to further explain the data: it seems, number wise, legalization would then reduce the rapes! No, as legalization increases the 55 times a year side, and not to mention the trafficking increases. The fact legalization leads to prostitutes being victims, and increased violence, the biggest victims are those coerced into the business [4]. I can name a few victims, actually. (1) the prostitute, (2) those affected by increased trafficking, and (3) those affected by the increase in street prostitutes after legalization. 5. Safer and efficient It is fairly obvious the harms of prostitution are intrinsic, and are often worsened by legalization. I have demonstrated a strong anti-prostitution law (Sweden, 1997) is the most effective in increasing public awareness and safety about prostitution. Efficient is irrelevant, as any sane person does not want a harmful practice to be efficient. Increasing the money in the business merely increases the harms to society. 1. Melissa Farley. “Theory versus reality: Commentary on four articles about trafficking for prostitution.” Women’s Studies International Forum, (2009). 2. Max Waltman. “Prohibiting Sex Purchasing and Ending Trafficking: The Swedish Prostitution Law.” Michigan Journal of International Law, Volume 33 issue 133, (2011). 3. Melissa Farley, Vanessa Kelley. “Prostitution: a critical review of the medical and social science literature.” Women and Criminal Justice, (2000). 4. http://crime.about.com...