Sex trade and Jeremy Corbyn. So U?

[awfullyproper]

He said:
Let’s do things a bit differently and in a more civilised way,”
Surely decriminalisation is so imbalanced in favour of the people who run the 'industry' or patronise it. I cannot get beyond the casual attitude to the commodification of (mostly) women.
What do others think?

[UnGoogleable]

I think you need to provide a bit more context OP

[awfullyproper]

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/jeremy-corbyn-says-sex-work-should-be-decriminalised-a6912221.html

[TaraCarter]

He may or may not be 'right' (I am not sure what the solution is), but I don't think his opinion necessarily indicates he's A-OK with the commodification of women.

I know I am certainly not A-OK with the commodification of women, but I also hate that the women who end up as sex-workers are so vulnerable.

[Changemylifenow]

Most women who solicit on the streets, ie red light districts, do so because of a drug habit.

[Foginthehills]

Let's criminalise the users of women's bodies.

[GoblinLittleOwl]

I think it is all said with the best possible intentions, towards prostitutes, but as usual, he hasn't thought the consequences through.

[minifingerz]

He needs to listen to Harriet Harperson on this:

"Prostitution's exploitation and abuse not "work/an industry". Women should be protected and men prosecuted."

I like Jeremy Corbyn, but he needs to reconsider his stance on this.

[Highsteaks]

Isnt he in favour of the Swedish model? Isnt that where its legal to sell sex but illegalto purchase?

Hmmm, I'm not sure what I think. I feel like any legalisation or regulation legitimises women as commodities, but on the other hand, it would be good to protect women. I agree that talking about the sex 'industry' minimises the exploitation and abuse that the vast majority of these woman experience.

[TheCountessofFitzdotterel]

I am disappointed in him. It doesn't take much to look at what has happened in the countries that have gone with decriminalisation versus those who have gone with the Nordic model (criminalise the punters not the prostituted individuals) and it's fairly clear full decriminalisation is not the magic solution it is held out to be.

[werewolfinladderedtights]

As an ex sex worker I agree with him. Actually I very strongly agree.
Decrimalization would only improve conditions and help keep sex workers safer.

[jellyjiggles]

Decriminalise being a sex worker! Protect the women. Criminalise the user of women!

It's usually drug, abuse, or desperation that leads to being a sex worker. Help the people who feel they have no option.

[araiba]

when i become the PM, the first 2 things i would decriminalise are prostitution and drugs and adding necessary support structures.

who are the government to tell me what i can or can't put in my body as long as it doesn't harm anyone else

[Mistigri]

That article doesn't explicitly say whether he favours full decriminalisation, or partial decriminalisation on the Scandinavian model.

I'm not personally familiar with the arguments for the two different models of criminalisation, but if Corbyn is supporting full decriminalisation that article suggests he has some evidence base for doing so.

I doubt there is any magic solution, and I doubt very much that Corbyn believes there is one.

[chilipepper20]

Isnt he in favour of the Swedish model? Isnt that where its legal to sell sex but illegalto purchase?

Apparently, that model has just pushed punters to denmark and holland.

[BonnieF]

History teaches us that there will always be some people who are wiling to sell sex, and some who are prepared to buy it, so I support a pragmatic approach.

Decriminalisation seems to be an obviously reasonable place to start, then we can look at other countries which have tried to break the links between prostitution and criminality, and decide on an evidence-based, non-ideological, pragmatic way forward.

[chilipepper20]

History teaches us that there will always be some people who are wiling to sell sex, and some who are prepared to buy it, so I support a pragmatic approach.

indeed. I think we will never stamp it out. I think the best approach is to make sure those involved are best protected.

[BookDayWorld]

Apparently, that model has just pushed punters to denmark and holland.

Some would argue, probably myself included, that that is down to the legalisation of prostitution in those countries not because of what is happening in Sweden and the Nordic model.

[GreenTomatoJam]

Given what's happened in Germany following their changes I would not want that here. That is not more civilised.

I don't think that buying women's (or mens, or girls, or boys) bodies can ever be civilised (except I suppose in the classical sense of the word)

[werewolfinladderedtights]

Why is it that whenever this subject is discussed no one mentions Nevada and Australia. Both have legalised brothels and as far as I'm aware society hasn't completely broken down as a result.

[BillSykesDog]

They've set up a 'managed area' in Leeds. It's only been running about 3 months and one poor lady has already been murdered.

Bearing in mind what happened in Ipswich and that 'crossbow cannibal'guy I'm far more concerned with the safety of the women actually doing this than any sort of intellectual point about the commodification of women's bodies. For that reason I support what Corbyn is saying.

I don't want to see more women raped, stabbed, shot in the face with crossbows, hog tied and tortured, cut up, suffocated, stabbed, tortured. That to me is far more of a priority than 'intellectuals' and Harriet Harman sitting round cosy safe dinner party tables feeling smug they've made some kind of existential point about other women's bodies when that decision is being paid for by other women suffering extreme violence and degradation.

[BookDayWorld]

Why is it that whenever this subject is discussed no one mentions Nevada and Australia. Both have legalised brothels and as far as I'm aware society hasn't completely broken down as a result.

To be fair, I'm not familiar with these areas. But I will certainly do some research now.

There's no easy answer to this 'debate'.

BillSykes

Your post appears contradictory. Sorry if I've read it wrong.

How does it work in the managed area in Leeds?

[Gothgirl78]

Well said billsykesdog.

[BillSykesDog]

The managed area in Leeds is basically street prostitution but they've agreed not to prosecute anybody involved between the hours of 7pm-7am. But it's still women getting into cars and driving off with men to secluded areas where they're in danger. It seems to be the worst of both world's as it has all the dangers of street prostitution with even less monitoring. Sorry, I should have explained that properly. It seems to have mainly been done with the intent of containing the problem and allowing the police to wash their hands of it rather than for the safety of the women involved.

If, as Corbyn suggests, actual brothels were legalised it would mean they could have security on hand, police called for violence and drugged/drunk patrons. They'd be much, much safer. They wouldn't have to go alone to deserted areas with strangers or meet them alone in hotels or their own properties.

Even for non-street prostitutes it's dangerous, they go to people's homes or hotels. A few clicks through adultwork.com is an eye opener.

And as a lot of it is net based now we have zero chance of stopping it.

[Highsteaks]

History teaches us that there will always be some people who are wiling to sell sex, and some who are prepared to buy it

See I think the 'world's oldest profession' argument is a bit of a.cop out. Buying women for sex is not an 'inevitability' or something that cannot be changed. I think we should be putting all of our energies into creating a society where women aren't viewed as things to be 'bought'.

I always remember that programme that was on TV last year about the brothel in I think it was Germany where prostituion was legal. It was horrid. Just horrid.

[Highsteaks]

So is Corbyn for decriminalising the whole thing then? Or just the purchasing? Surely this is the best solution?