de-criminalization of the sex trade ?
Godfather.
Posts: 12,504
any thoughts ? this reminds me of the de-criminalization of all drugs Idea that has been tossed around here, do you think this idea is any different ?
Godfather.
LONDON – Amnesty International approved a controversial policy Tuesday to endorse the de-criminalization of the sex trade, rejecting complaints from some women's rights groups who say it is tantamount to advocating the legalization of pimping and brothel owning.
At its decision-making forum in Dublin, the human rights watchdog approved the resolution to recommend "full decriminalization of all aspects of consensual sex work." It argues its research suggests decriminalization is the best way to defend sex workers' human rights.
"We recognize that this critical human rights issue is hugely complex and that is why we have addressed this issue from the perspective of international human rights standards," said Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International. "We also consulted with our global movement to take on board different views from around the world."
Amnesty's decision is important because it will use its heft to lobby governments around the world to accept its point of view.
Advance word of the Amnesty policy sparked opposition from some women's groups who argued that the human rights organization has made a serious mistake. The groups, such as the U.S.-based Coalition Against Trafficking in Women, have argued that while it agrees with Amnesty that those who are prostituted should not be criminalized, full de-criminalization would make pimps "businesspeople" who could sell the vulnerable with impunity.
"It really is a slap in the face to survivors and to women's rights groups around the world," said Taina Bien-Aime, the executive director of the coalition, adding that disappointment does not adequately describe her feelings.
Godfather.
LONDON – Amnesty International approved a controversial policy Tuesday to endorse the de-criminalization of the sex trade, rejecting complaints from some women's rights groups who say it is tantamount to advocating the legalization of pimping and brothel owning.
At its decision-making forum in Dublin, the human rights watchdog approved the resolution to recommend "full decriminalization of all aspects of consensual sex work." It argues its research suggests decriminalization is the best way to defend sex workers' human rights.
"We recognize that this critical human rights issue is hugely complex and that is why we have addressed this issue from the perspective of international human rights standards," said Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International. "We also consulted with our global movement to take on board different views from around the world."
Amnesty's decision is important because it will use its heft to lobby governments around the world to accept its point of view.
Advance word of the Amnesty policy sparked opposition from some women's groups who argued that the human rights organization has made a serious mistake. The groups, such as the U.S.-based Coalition Against Trafficking in Women, have argued that while it agrees with Amnesty that those who are prostituted should not be criminalized, full de-criminalization would make pimps "businesspeople" who could sell the vulnerable with impunity.
"It really is a slap in the face to survivors and to women's rights groups around the world," said Taina Bien-Aime, the executive director of the coalition, adding that disappointment does not adequately describe her feelings.
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On the other hand I want even stricter laws to help fight Child exploitation and trafficking which Unfortunatly does piggy back here.
Godfather.
I certainly am in favour of the sex trade workers not being criminalized. I hope there would still be a mechanism to go after the pimps who are victimizing vulnerable people. I haven't seen anything in the past year to change my mind about my original position, which is that the majority of people working in the sex trade are there because they are desperate, usually wrapped up in drugs and/or alcohol, and would very much like not to be doing what they are doing. I think the idea that there are a lot of free thinking, healthy independent women actively making a choice to work in the sex trade is overblown; sure, they exist, but are in a significant minority.
http://community.pearljam.com/discussion/236275/prostitution-should-it-be-legalized/p1
Anyway, for the most part, wouldn't decriminalizing it remove the need for pimps/bosses? If someone actually chooses to go into this profession, who is anyone to say they shouldn't? People sell themselves and their services in many ways; the fact that it's sex has no bearing on the argument itself, for me.
Also will never get how it's legal to fuck on camera for money, but take away the camera and boom! Busted.
Godfather.
GF second post on this, ah ah ah. HA
Godfather.
GF,
Went to high school in Frankfurt Germany and we'd skip and go to k street down town and they had hotels as you mention. Girls at in chairs in front of their rooms. Was quite interesting. We just ogled for the record. Still that way I hear.
Godfather.
If it's a shameful act that should be reserved for married people in the missionary position... then agreed.
If it's just a physical release for a deeply rooted instinct, then not agreed.
People get therapeutic massages which isn't as intimate. Perhaps sex isn't far removed from a massage? If a guy struggles to have sex with women for whatever reason and is willing to pay for it... while a woman views sex like the second mindset and wishes to profit from the situation.. why not?
Playing Devil's advocate.
"This is the topic that turns me into a conservative, feminist prude.
I don't think it should be legal to have women's bodies for sale. I understand and appreciate the arguments for legalization, but I still just can't be okay with prostitution and what it truly means to women's position in society (yes, the fact that male prostitutes exist too is something I'm aware of). I think all efforts should go towards preventing people from being prostitutes, as much as that entails."
I had a whole lot more to say after that, but this is about the size of it IMO. But I really think we should all move over the very interesting thread about this that already exists. I see no point in having the same conversation with pretty much all the same people twice.
The scenarios you speak of are more serious for street level, or illegal brothel sex workers...and street-level sex work could and would be more strictly policed if there was a system in place in which that work would hurt the government's bottom line...the additional funding for that would come from the tax dollars made from legalizing.
Every time this discussion comes up in the media, the working girls they can get to speak out are emphatic that they want legalization (but it's usually countered by a former worker's horror stories...which may have been avoided via legalization).
You asked in the other thread if I was speaking locally, because you were speaking globally. But in both instances, we are talking changes to local laws. Not much we can do in other countries from a legal or official standpoint.
The police not enforcing crime is, again, a separate issue not directly tied to prostitution. Is it related in the ways you say it is? Yes. But it's not dependant on the state of prostitution law - it can improve or get worse under either scenario.
A pimp in a legalized setting would be an abusive boss. Regulations would make it easier for sex workers to report those conditions, and give the system more ability to make the pimp/business owner accountable. it would give them access to worker's rights they don't currently have. Would also open the door to education and programs that don't exist now.
Do think if legalized safer for those that do it.
Positives and negatives on everything.
In end I'll side with freedom for two consenting g adults to do as they please.