Prostitutes

[Gladys]

Sadly prostitution, much like any other part of the criminal underbelly throughout our society, has huge social and economic factors affecting it. I agree it should be legalised, but how far do you go in regulating it without creating a two tier industry and without addressing the socio-economic factors which have created it? It would be a bit like putting the lid on the toothpaste tube, but still squeezing the end; something will squirt out uncontrollably and unpleasantly.

 

Everyone quotes the liberalised stance of Amsterdam, but is there still a rotten underbelly in that bastion of free thinking? Genuine question.

[LoneWolf]

Sadly prostitution, much like any other part of the criminal underbelly throughout our society, has huge social and economic factors affecting it. I agree it should be legalised, but how far do you go in regulating it without creating a two tier industry and without addressing the socio-economic factors which have created it? It would be a bit like putting the lid on the toothpaste tube, but still squeezing the end; something will squirt out uncontrollably and unpleasantly.

Everyone quotes the liberalised stance of Amsterdam, but is there still a rotten underbelly in that bastion of free thinking? Genuine question.

 

I really do think we have quite a problem with the current laws in so much as they tend to force women pursuing a legal occupation [prostitution] into situations which might compromise their safety. Clearly the injunction against brothels is a good example. Women are being pushed, by the law, into working alone. This is a situation which clearly might put them at greater risk than if they were allowed to work in dedicated premises where help could be on hand.

IMHO we would be doing everyone involved a favour [hookers and punters] if the laws were revised so women could work legally in situations which didnt compromise their safety. Im not going to post the link for obvious reasons but there are forums and advice resources for escorts and call girls on websites such as punternet. Most of the escorts seem to know what is required to keep them safe.

[nessa]

Other countries seem to fix these issues by legalising. Because this is a problem facing a trade that's underground, you have a problem policing it. If this were legal, these women would be far better protected

 

my POV is simply that these modern days in some places -it seems legalised prostitution has opened the door to much greater child sex slavery &/or widespread crime and abuse in a community etc

 

it may be more that I feel now that when a law permits a 'meat on the street' reality - so then it follows a slippery slope soon after into 'meat to beat' much more quickly etc etc

 

sadly an escalation of the direct & indirect assault risks of all citizens occurs next imho ie as men, women and children become regarded as a disposable commodity

[VinnieK]

Sadly prostitution, much like any other part of the criminal underbelly throughout our society, has huge social and economic factors affecting it. I agree it should be legalised, but how far do you go in regulating it without creating a two tier industry and without addressing the socio-economic factors which have created it?

 

I suspect that were postitution simply legalised with no other action taken, many of the original problems and illegality would remain. Should we have an entirely regulated and taxed sex industry there's every likelihood that illicit prostitution would continue, and possibly prosper, in the form of criminal gangs undercutting the prices of the legitimate, taxes competition by exploiting vulnerable women (such as those who turn to prostitution through drug addiction). The most powerful argument for legalisation in such a scenario would be that at least police resources wouldn't be spread so thinly by going after every prostitute and brothel, and so could concentrate their efforts on prosecuting those who continue to defy the law. But as Gladys says, the socio-economic problems that underpin and sustain prostitution would remain without a lengthy period of further action (and I suspect an entire cultural change, the likes of which few if any nations have seen in their history with regards to the sex trade).

 

Everyone quotes the liberalised stance of Amsterdam, but is there still a rotten underbelly in that bastion of free thinking? Genuine question.

 

From the few dutch people I've known, some regret the stance taken in Amsterdam, resenting that part of their hometown being given over to being a playground for leary bands of sex tourists and bands of excitable twenty somethings.

[LoneWolf]

Other countries seem to fix these issues by legalising. Because this is a problem facing a trade that's underground, you have a problem policing it. If this were legal, these women would be far better protected

 

my POV is simply that these modern days in some places -it seems legalised prostitution has opened the door to much greater child sex slavery &/or widespread crime and abuse in a community etc

it may be more that I feel now that when a law permits a 'meat on the street' reality - so then it follows a slippery slope soon after into 'meat to beat' much more quickly etc etc

 

Prostitution has always been legal in The UK.

Its what the law doesnt allow which is causing problems.

[Gladys]

It is not a humble opinion, LW, but very salient. My point is that we can legalise prostituion (or brothels or whatever is currently illegal) but that is just to pull on the spaghetti on the plate unless all the other factors are addressed too. Eventually a meatball will fall off the plate! So many other factors are wrapped up with prostitution (usually vice of one description or another) that to legalise one will have an effect on another. So it will take a complete overhaul of our social view to really make legalisation of this one aspect effective and beneficial to the whole of society.

 

The rapscallions making money as pimps will have to find another trade to occupy their time; they won't decide tha the game ain't worth it, let's go stack shelves at Tesco!

[LoneWolf]

Some things can be made better quickly by amending existing legislation. Other things can be improved, as Gladys says, over the long term.

Those things which can be done quickly should be. In particular, if the law is forcing women into situations where they are compromising their personal safety, the law should be amended and quickly.

[nessa]

That may be Lone wolf

 

However in my POV having a legal brothel merely paves the way for ALL domestic homes & residences, schools, sportsclubs, and even health, welfare & benefit centres to function likewise ie for those who seek to profit from sexual exploitation of the weak and vulnerable etc

[Gladys]

On that analysis, LW, I agree. However, what it won't do is change the mind of whoever is carrying out these attacks in Ipswich. That is a far deeper rooted problem than mere legalisation of the trade will solve. It may make the potential victims safer, but will not eradicate the predisposition of whoever is perpetrating the crimes, or even those that may want to in the future.

[LoneWolf]

On that analysis, LW, I agree. However, what it won't do is change the mind of whoever is carrying out these attacks in Ipswich. That is a far deeper rooted problem than mere legalisation of the trade will solve.

 

Totally agree.

 

It may make the potential victims safer, but will not eradicate the predisposition of whoever is perpetrating the crimes, or even those that may want to in the future.

Safety of the women involved in prostitution whether they be at the low end or the classy end of the business should be a high priority.

As to the murderer its beyond comprehension someone might want to do this to women.

[LoneWolf]

That may be Lone wolf

 

However in my POV having a legal brothel merely paves the way for ALL domestic homes & residences, schools, sportsclubs, and even health, welfare & benefit centres to function likewise ie for those who seek to profit from sexual exploitation of the weak and vulnerable etc

 

No

[Declan]

That may be Lone wolf

 

However in my POV having a legal brothel merely paves the way for ALL domestic homes & residences, schools, sportsclubs, and even health, welfare & benefit centres to function likewise ie for those who seek to profit from sexual exploitation of the weak and vulnerable etc

 

She's back!

[nessa]

It may make the potential victims safer, but will not eradicate the predisposition of whoever is perpetrating the crimes, or even those that may want to in the future.

 

Agree Gladys

 

Not sure why but nowadays I wonder if the profits and any fix of fear or power is decreasing for some of the users & supporters - which is why the risks to others will increase next perhaps

[nessa]

As to the murderer its beyond comprehension someone might want to do this to women

 

My difficulty with the predators and killers who are doing this to women and children Lonewolf is that their powers and numbers are increasing every day sadly

 

Another trend I am noticing however is the rape of males is growing as well in the wider community ie even those who may consider themselves as safe from sexual assault or homicide are potential victims now

[Declan]

Yep she's back, like a little Christmas Fairy of Doom.