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Original poster

Where do you stand on banning the sex trade?

179 replies

PinkyofPie · 11/06/2016 16:58

I'm a radfem but I have done very little research into the banning of the sex trade and sex workers, but I know it's a bit of a hot topic at the moment, and the likes of the (vile) Paris Lees is a champion for sex workers.

I can't imagine why anyone would think protecting legal rights for the sex trade would be good for women. Can anyone enlighten me to their views?

OP posts:
RebelRogue · 11/06/2016 17:56

I think it would be easier (when debating) if we could discern between forced sex trade and willing sex trade. I had a friend that honestly wanted to do this. She was sleeping with a lot of guys anyways,that's what she liked and what she wanted so she decided she might as well get paid for it. And where do we stand on escorts? Some include sex,some don't,some do it on the side etc. It's a very complex issue which is why i'm torn and rambling. The thing is do you realistically believe it would ever stop in every shape or form ? If yes,then asking for a ban is a logical way to make it happen. If not,wouldn't you rather the women in it had some form of protection under the "legal" cover?

P.s. Don't think you'll get a straight answer from me,i keep going back and forth in my head and what ifs. Hopefully some more decisive people will come along Grin

LassWiTheDelicateAir · 11/06/2016 17:50

Dunno maybe i'm not making much sense but a prostitute is less likely to report a beating,assault, rape if she knows she won't get in trouble herself for being you know..a prostitute

I am not familiar with the criminal law of every country in the world but there is no European country or country which applies a criminal code similar to European legal traditions which makes being a prostitute illegal. What trouble do you think a prostitute will get into if she reports a crime ? I'm not referring to possible issues of bias as to credibility, which is another issue.

I am not torn on this at all. Prostitution is not a trade. Buying sex, brothel keeping and pimping should be illegal.

Original poster
PinkyofPie · 11/06/2016 17:45

I k ow what you mean Rebel, if the welfare of women was properly protected I may buy into it, but I don't feel comfortable as sex work being seen as a bona fide career choice.

I also don't think that any man paying for sex is a decent man. Another reason I'm swayed towards the "ban it" mindset - men who use sex workers aren't doing it because they care about women, or want them to feel empowered, in fact it's the very opposite, their own sexual gratification is more important than another human being and they feel it's justified because they throw cash at it

OP posts:
RebelRogue · 11/06/2016 17:12

I'm so so torn about this...my first instinct would be ban it! Ban it all! But is it really possible? Prostitution,sex workers etc have been illegal in many countries for years and it still happens. The ones that get in trouble or end up arrested are the women themselves. It happens daily from really small scale like woman sent on the streets by her "loving" boyfriend( yes that happens) to big scale like sex traffic rings etc.

I guess legal rights would mean women that are in it unwillingly or through no other choice might feel less demonised and more willing to seek active help. That on the slight chance they're actually booked in with a decent guy,that guy could report thing to the police if he realises she's forced into it. On the "organised" side maybe more protection? Regular health checks, certain rules of conduct etc.
Dunno maybe i'm not making much sense but a prostitute is less likely to report a beating,assault, rape if she knows she won't get in trouble herself for being you know..a prostitute.