Should prostitution be legalized? In the US, prostitution is illegal everywhere except ten counties in Nevada, but sex is for sale from coast to coast. Street prostitutes have a mortality rate forty times higher than the national average. Many people who engage in sex work do not survive on the streets.
The death rate among homeless people has led some to call for the legalization or decriminalization of prostitution in the United States. One of the main reasons is for the safety of the sex worker. If the industry goes down that path as it has in other countries, can street prostitutes really take better care of themselves and would they have the help they need if something goes wrong? In other words, would the regulation of the industry offer the necessary protection to prostitutes or is it simply about legalizing violence against prostitutes?
In Australia, states have legalized prostitution in an attempt to curb violence. In the European countries of Norway, Finland and Sweden, it seems that the sale of sex is not illegal, but what is criminalized is the purchase of sex. The logic behind these laws is that these European governments want to end sex tourism, street prostitution and human trafficking in an attempt to protect the most vulnerable.
Sex workers in the third world are often sold into prostitution as children. In countries like the US, many are driven to it by sexual abuse. Authorities have estimated that up to 75 percent of street prostitutes are victims of abuse or incest. Once on the street it is very difficult or impossible to escape. A street pimp asks customers for a ‘hoochie’ in exchange for a portion of their profits, but it is often the street pimps who inflict the most violence. Those who sell sex are younger, more than likely victims or coerced into the trade into street pimps, drug addicts, and miserable lives.
Drugs are sometimes the only way street prostitutes cope with street work. Authorities have also estimated that 80 percent of homeless people are addicted to crack, heroin, prescription drugs or alcohol. It’s probably the only way they can cope with the fear and anxiety that comes with this line of work. What goes through your mind? Will the next stunt turn violent if things don’t work out? What are the chances of being raped, beaten, broken bones, cut, mutilated, or even killed? While high-end sex workers or ‘escorts’ work in relative safety, low-end prostitutes mainly pick up clients on the streets, sex takes place in a car or in an alley and an attack can happen at any time and who Know what. disease they can get.
In the United States, supporters of legalization are in the minority. They are against the Puritan religious groups and it is these people who wield the stick. Rather, the trend has been towards increased criminalization with increased sanctions against clients and workers. This means that prostitutes are under attack from street pimps, clients and the law. Without a doubt, there are those on the street who believe that their destiny is sealed and written in stone. They probably have few friends or allies, they face discrimination because of the stigma associated with prostitution, and the lure of the street is always there…despite the danger. However, there is one organization that offers hope or even a way out.
Cyndee Clay is the Executive Director of ‘HIPS’ – ‘Helping Individual Prostitutes Survive’. HIPS’s mission is to help female, male, and transgender sex workers in Washington, DC lead healthy lives. The program is based on a model of harm reduction, Prevention and Harm Support. Those involved in the program strive to address the impact that HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections, discrimination, poverty, violence and drug use have on the lives of sex workers. By helping sex workers recognize the options they have and the skills they need, the organization’s goal is to support and help these people overcome barriers to finding suitable employment and off the streets altogether.
This is an almighty challenge. Street prostitutes around the world face similar problems. Many are driven to sell sex against their will and are shunned by society as a result. Organizations like this one must be supported and applaud those who participate.