Should prostitution be legalised?

[Krystal]

Got me thinking because of that guy being found guilty of the murders of those girls. It's the oldest proffession in the world so I doubt it's ever going to go away. Do you think it would make it safer? What are you views on it?

I'm undecided by the way which is why I fancy hearing everyones opinions

 

[purple13]

i voted yes... i think there would always be an underground 'scene' (for want of a better word) but i think legalisation would mean many advantages. health protection for the girls, protection for teenagers, drug help and advice, more money for the government via taxation, safety for the workers... this is all IMHO as i obviously haven't looked too closely into it, but keeping it illegal certainly isn't going to stop it so it seems obvious, to me, that there may well be alternatives that would be of greater benefit, both for the women and men involved, than a criminal record...

 

[Sherlock]

Having lived in the Netherlands for a number of years where it is legal and women pay taxes on their earnings, I don't see why not. They have regular access to medical check ups, can sign up with an agency or work for themselves, so many possibles and options for them.

Yes they have the windows with women in, and yes that might seem seedy to some, but its got to be safer than on street corners where some unregistered women still work

I know the Dutch set up still has its problems, a small amount of women having to pay off their expenses after coming in from other countries etc, but overall the system means women can take control of what they do and operate out of recognised premises and have security to keep an eye on things also. The Dutch do try to maintain a decent set up and to ensure women are not forced to work unless they choose/want to.

On the other end of the scale, I lived round the corner from one of the most elite set ups in Amsterdam. An exclusive neighbourhood, behind a tall fence and large gates, entry was strictly controlled. Many many expensive cars would enter, leave a few hours later, sometimes the next day and the women I used to see coming and going were real stunners. Good looking, educated, and obviously earning a really good living as they all drove good cars and dressed in the latest designer wear. Was on speaking terms with a couple of them and they were lovely. And totally in control of what they did and open about it.

But then the Dutch are far more open about sexuality and sex than we Brits.

 

[MissSara]

I voted undecided as i agree with the whole safer option for people who have gotton into it and the added protection they would recieve.
But on the other hand if it is made legal i wouldn't want my little girl growing up thinking it would be ok to become a prostitute as it is legal she wouldn't be doing anything wrong.

mmmm i'll be thinking about this now for ages.

 

[Krystal]

But on the other hand if it is made legal i wouldn't want my little girl growing up thinking it would be ok to become a prostitute as it is legal she wouldn't be doing anything wrong.

you make a good point against actually. hmm i don't know, lots of fors and againsts isn't there

 

[Squiglet]

I voted undecided as i agree with the whole safer option for people who have gotton into it and the added protection they would recieve.
But on the other hand if it is made legal i wouldn't want my little girl growing up thinking it would be ok to become a prostitute as it is legal she wouldn't be doing anything wrong.

mmmm i'll be thinking about this now for ages.

very few people "choose" to go into prostitution. But the porn industry to me is the same as prostitution...you get paid to have sex... only its legal ...I don't see a problem with either .

I voted yes as some women end up in prostitution through no fault of their own...and for them to be prosecuted only means that the pimps have more of an ability to exploit them. Here we have "cheeky girls" on roundabouts... the Guardia hang around chatting to the women to keep the pimps off their backs as prostitution is legal... but pimping is not.

 

[Flame]

There was a big debate on this not so long back and i was very against it, but now i am not sure what to think.

 

[zebrastripes]

I think,definitly. It's always going to be around-may as well make it healthier and safer for the women involved

 

[Lou]

I'm undecided. Although what this guy has done is wrong, killing them that is, I can't help thinking that they left themselves wide open to it. Saying that, there is alot of diference between a drugged up scraggy prostitute and a high class escort but they both sell sex so really its a matter of class isn't it and not the selling sex part of it? I have no problems with a classy escort meeting rich men in hotels and getting paid for sex but I do have a problem with nasty junkie prostitutes selling sex on street corners. I say I have a problem with it in as much as I don't want it on my doorstep.

oooo I dunno? maybe I'm being a snob?

 

[zebrastripes]

I'm undecided. Although what this guy has done is wrong, killing them that is, I can't help thinking that they left themselves wide open to it. Saying that, there is alot of diference between a drugged up scraggy prostitute and a high class escort but they both sell sex so really its a matter of class isn't it and not the selling sex part of it? I have no problems with a classy escort meeting rich men in hotels and getting paid for sex but I do have a problem with nasty junkie prostitutes selling sex on street corners. I say I have a problem with it in as much as I don't want it on my doorstep.

oooo I dunno? maybe I'm being a snob?

I know what you mean,but I suppose if the common hooker had some healthcare,educational support or w/e it would help them get off the streets?

Or there should be proper brothels or something it is a tricky one,but I do think that by illegalising and stigmatising something you do tend to make it worse.

 

[Krystal]

I'm quite surprised we have had 0 no votes I thought more people would be against than for. I see what you all mean in terms of healthcare etc etc. But would the prostitutes who are into drugs still be any better off? I mean I would assume these proposed legal places would have random drugs tests etc so I would imagine the druggie prostitutes would maybe go underground instead therefore not having any health benefits? Hope that makes sense

 

[Flame]

I think a lot of them take drugs to deal with what they are doing.

 

[amzhunny]

hey all,

Interesting topic...

i did a degree in criminology and we covered this, was interesting to learn all the positives and negatives to legalising prostitution.

Tolerance Zones have been trialled in the Uk after success in places like the Netherlands etc i think there was Jamaica Street in Liverpool and somewhere in Derby...which centralised woman and took them off the general stressts etc. Which also helped the local communities ad people living within it. The police would know where to go to check and keep tabs on everything which could prevent alot of further crime.

I think its important to try and help women, alot of women do have drug dependancies i could go into alot of stats here but wont bore you!! - or just no income and do the job to feed a habit or bascally live, there are more and more places coming up which they are not wanting to call brothels but safe houses...which is exactly what it says, a safe environment for women...in some cases CCTV installed etc to prevent any attacks.

I could go on and on but wont bore you all, just a few more thoughts x

 

[Miss.Monroe]

yes yes and yes. women who wanted to do it could, less chance of pimps, properly regulated, would stop men raping women on the streets, and the goverment could benifit from it rather than try and fight it

 

[beanie]

Yes, and the perhaps it would stop society and the criminal justice system from treating these women who are usually as much victims themselves as both second class citizens and criminals. The way they get treated is a joke, though I doubt that legalisation would be much more effective in terms of making them safer. I think that more importantly we need to change the way we view women who work in this industry

 

[Flame]

women who wanted to do it could, less chance of pimps, properly regulated, would stop men raping women on the streets, and the goverment could benifit from it rather than try and fight it

Why would a woman want to do it?! I dont get that but then thats just me. There are bound to still be people who do it illegally i reckon so there will still be pimps and i highly doubt it would stop women being raped as i think that is something completely differant.

What i dont get is why people feel they have to pay for it in the first place? Surely for most blokes it would be cheaper just to go out and pull? obviously except some unfortunates that maybe wouldnt be able to pull so easily then there are still other ways of getting it without going on the streets for it anyway.
I guess if it is gonna happen then yeah probably best to legalise it.
I dunno

 

[Princess_Puddles]

I think it should and I think it would make things alot safer as people would be aware of it. Places like Amsterdam seem to get on ok with it, they are all clean, have regular health checks etc..

 

[Krystal]

Why would a woman want to do it?!

I know this girl from where I live, really gorgeous. No drug problems or anything like that. She works as a high class escort which is just same. Some men she sleeps with some she doesn't. She enjoys her job. She gets to eat out at posh places and some even take her on holiday with them She got took on a cruise once and as well as the holiday being fully paid she got 3 grand for going.. she loves the life it gives her. She has her daughter in a fab school and her daughter has so many things and goes dancing and anything else and she gets to spend all day with her little girl so it obviously works for some people.

although I have to add she doesn't have much success in relationships because of what she does.

I don't think I ever could

 

[paradysso]

i used to work as a receptionist in a brothel. it was probably one of the best and most fun jobs i ever had.

the girls were all lovely, and made a decent wage. they saw it as a job they were good at. it was never sleazy or any thing. i even made a good wage, as i got alot of tips

so ive voted it should be legalised. some men like to pay for sex its not all that bad... some of the punters i met were lonely old men and just enjoyed the company of the lady, which i think is quite sweet.

 

[Tegala-7thMarch08]

i think its should be legalised but it shouldnt be legal to hang around on street corners for it maybe an organisation so u are like booked in wiuth clients so ppl no were u are at all times it would make it alot safer for the gals who do it... like a sort of brofel place they have seprate rooms for the gals i think and they are not alone there in a house full of other people so its alot safer then streets... i personally dont agree with it as i feel its just degrading urself but there are many reasons people have to resort to renting there body out... atleast making it legal ( in safe conditions) we will have less gals going missing and all sorts.