How does the legalization of prostitution affect the sex industry?
The legalization can benefit many in several ways. The legalization of prostitution can change the environment of sex workers’ workplaces. Areas where prostitution is legalized found a noticeable decrease in numbers. The numbers of johns had been decreased by 80% and street prostitution had decreased by two-thirds. Trafficking had decreased to 200-400 girls, compared to Finland with 15000-17000 girls. More than 150 people were convicted and fined for purchasing sex services and trafficking. Legalization of prostitution would also bring the sex industry from the underground. Many fear the police because they are illegal and will be arrested. In some cases, police officers will use their power to blackmail sex workers and sexually assault them. If prostitution were legal, sex workers would be able to report cases of violence without any fear.
Perspective of Prostitutes
Many prostitutes argue that sex work should be legal. Many sex workers are trying to change how they are perceived and policed. They are fighting the legal status quo, social mores and mainstream feminism, which has focused on saving women from the sex trade rather than supporting sex workers who demand greater rights. They also believe that the legalization of prostitution would give them full rights and the freedom to be able to do whatever they want. Sex workers argue that legalization would help with ensuring the safety of the prostitutes because of the strict regulations.
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Perspective of Law Professor
In 1999, Sweden had legalized the act of selling sex but made it illegal to buy it—only the johns and the traffickers would be prosecuted. University of Michigan law professor Catharine MacKinnon believes that this is the only approach to prostitution that is based on sex equality. Mackinnon believes that laws treat prostitution as a social evil but views the women who do it as the victims of sexual exploitation who “should not be victimized again by the state by being made into criminals”. She believes that men who use women and purchase sex are "sexual predators" and should be punished as such.
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Perspective of Pimp
A pimp named Dennis Hoff, the owner of Moonlit Bunny Ranch, is a media figure and a politician. He runs several brothels in Nevada and also runs the first legalized brothel. He has had many experiences with different girls and is very experienced in the areas of legalized prostitution. He strongly believes that prostitution should be legalized worldwide and is one of the biggest advocates for legalization. He claims that the laws are more regulated and that the brothels are very safe. His brothels have security cameras in every room and even panic buttons if the sex worker feels that they are in danger. He also believes that he is empowering them as women and that these women are strong confident women. He has sex workers who even have PhDs.
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