France Outlaws Prostitution

[Cherry 1,302]

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35982929

 

 

It has taken more than two years to pass the controversial legislation because of differences between the two houses of parliament over the issue.

 

Some sex workers protested against the law during the final debate.

The demonstrators outside parliament in Paris, numbering about 60, carried banners and placards one of which read: "Don't liberate me, I'll take care of myself".

Members of the Strass sex workers' union say the law will affect the livelihoods of France's sex workers, estimated to number between 30,000 and 40,000.

Sweden was the first country to criminalise those who pay for sex rather than the prostitutes, introducing the law in 1999. Other countries have since adopted the so-called "Nordic model": Norway in 2008, Iceland in 2009, and Northern Ireland in 2014. Earlier this year, the European parliament approved a resolution calling for the law to be adopted throughout the continent.

But many advocacy groups warn the model makes sex work more dangerous.

Catherine Stephens, an activist with the UK-based International Union of Sex Workers, and a sex worker herself, says criminalisation makes those in the industry "much more likely to have to accept clients who are obscuring their identity, which benefits people who want to perpetrate violence".

 

 

 

Thought this would be a good time to get TGP's opinion on legalizing prostitution. Good? Bad? What do you guys think?

Edited April 8, 2016 by Chernobyl426

[RazorStar 4,025]

Vice is never something that should be criminalized. If people are paying for sex, it's just business, no different from buying drugs, coffee or stocks. No one is getting hurt when these things are legal, but when they're illegal you're suddenly throwing a large chunk of your populace in jail, or you're having people take more drastic measures to make sure their needs are satisfied.

[GA_Eagle 595]

What RZ said.

[Zack_of_Steel+ 3,014]

^

[BJORN 679]

Prostitution is not a good thing, the life style, stigmas, etc...I think it being banned does more good than harm.

[Cherry 1,302]

Prostitution is not a good thing, the life style, stigmas, etc...I think it being banned does more good than harm.

 

But banning it does more damage to the people involved than simply allowing it and regulating it. There is always a demand for sex, and because of that there will always be a market for paid sex. Instead of making it an unsafe and unregulated illegal market that allows sex trafficking, STDs, and insanely low wages, why not legalize it and protect sex workers from the violence and mistreatment that they currently face on the job? I think opening the market to government protection and taxation allows so much more progress for people involved.

[BJORN 679]

 

But banning it does more damage to the people involved than simply allowing it and regulating it. There is always a demand for sex, and because of that there will always be a market for paid sex. Instead of making it an unsafe and unregulated illegal market that allows sex trafficking, STDs, and insanely low wages, why not legalize it and protect sex workers from the violence and mistreatment that they currently face on the job? I think opening the market to government protection and taxation allows so much more progress for people involved.

Maybe, those involved....shouldn't be involved. Think about it.

[oochymp 2,393]

"people are going to do it anyway" has to be the shittiest argument for legalizing anything

[BJORN 679]

"people are going to do it anyway" has to be the shittiest argument for legalizing anything

Shall we protect drug dealers too?

[Cherry 1,302]

Ooch I can see your point for shit like hard drugs but sex? It's just sex. Not like legal prostitution does that much damage.

[ATL_Predator+ 1,196]

Because outlawing prostitution will surely stop it!

 

Drugs and guns are outlawed in certain places..and they still exist.

 

Prostitution is normally a woman's choice and when it's their choice I have no problem with it...but when young girls are trafficked into it and forced to do it.

 

Yeah. That's when someone needs to be brutalized with a meat cleaver.

[blotsfan 2,112]

Rape of prostitutes is a major problem, since people know they can't go to the police. I don't think just going on a street corner and waiting should be allowed, but I have no problem with brothers like what they have in Nevada.

[GA_Eagle 595]

Shall we protect drug dealers too?

 

No. We should put them out of business by legalizing the drugs... at least the violent ones I assume you are alluding to. If I can go to friendly and safe Grandpa Joe's drug shack for my coke or weed instead of Spike and Ace's Dirty Needle Dome, then I will (hypothetically since I haven't done drugs in 12 years or so). If someone prefers Spike and Ace's, well good for them. Likely there would be some regulation anyway in this scenario and Spike and Ace would probably have to use sterile needles or face Uncle Sam.

 

Same basic argument applies to all vice or morality crimes including prostitution. If adults consent and no one is being harmed (against their wishes) then increase people's freedom to make their own damn decisions. It's my right as a person to seek happiness. If that's how I choose to do so and IF I'M NOT HURTING ANYONE (besides possibly myself) then I should not be stopped.

[oochymp 2,393]

Ooch I can see your point for shit like hard drugs but sex? It's just sex. Not like legal prostitution does that much damage.

I didn't say there isn't a good argument for legal prostitution, I just said that "people are going to do it anyway" isn't one