As a person who has spent over 40 years seeing every side of the sex industry, for good (the extremely little good it does), and the bad (of which there is/was plenty).
I have enjoyed what you've written, however, I've rarely if not ever, experienced or have seen first hand, what you share ... over my 40+ years of seeing it, and being involved in it.
Furthermore, I fear for legalisation, as no one ever goes into any great depth in practical terms, what benefits it will bring .... and I'm unconvinced!
Now, I counsel people who deal with sexual addiction, there are regular themes that run through most people history:
1 - All SW I've seen, befriended, bailed out, protected, fed, clothed ... have experienced deep trauma ... without exception. I've never seen anyone from a good family background, turn around and say; "You know what, I'll give up my degree in physics, and go into SW!" ... it never happens!
Of the many 100's of women I've seen come and go, each had a difficult story. There were those who denied it at first (because most do) and acted with bravado, but in a quiet moment, they would open up.
2 - Every client (men) that I personally know who see SW on a regular basis has;
a. Suffered been caught out by the 'Deposit' scam (although I understand in the U.S. things seem to be different).
b. Every single one of them, has caught an STD.
As for STD's, I've never seen any SW get a 'Check-up' at the doctors, and I include adult film stars in that ... never! So when I see in an add that says - "I get checked regularly" - I take it, with a dumpster truck of salt, rather than a 'pinch of salt'
Further on the issue of legalisation.
30 years ago I had to do an in-depth study on the Prohibition Laws in America, for which Utah, the Mormon state (or members of the church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints) 'seemed' to have the deciding vote. Fearing more violence and bloodshed, Utah voted for legalisation. A few years later, Bill W. and Dr Bob founded AA ... and in the nick of time, some might say.
Other than for use in a medical setting, I've never seen anyone improve by consuming alcohol, and in my personal life, I've lost one family member and a school friend, to drink-drivers.
The same could be said for Tobacco, which was used by Native American's in sacred, religious ceremonies, and according to the D&C (two degrees in religion) tobacco was/is also used to heal cattle. I see no one, that improves by the consumption of tobacco.
The same could be said for the partial legalisation of drugs.
BTW, I did an in-depth study on how Portugal has lowered drug abuse, and it's a total misnomer! The study that I read pointed out that the Portuguese experience, only notes those who have been in/through rehab. The problem with that is, of the hundreds if not thousands of drug users I know, I can count on one hand, how many have been in rehab!
When you stamp on the accelerator, things start to move quickly, and from what history has taught us about legalising Tobacco and Alcohol .... it's never in a positive direction? I fear legalising SW will lead to greater problems than it solves.
I fear asking for legalisation will do little to stem the tide of abuse of anyone, including SW, nor will it give protection to those who do SW, chosen or forced.
Gentlemanly behaviour once protected women from coarse behaviour. Today, we expect sexual harassment laws to restrain coarse behaviour. Police and laws can never be a replacement as means for regulating human behaviour. At best, the police and criminal justice system are the last desperate line of defence for a civilized society. Our increased reliance on laws to regulate behaviour is a measure of how uncivilized we’ve become.
I wish you well for the future. However, over 40+ years of seeing it first-hand, I've seen far too much to be convinced that there is any plus side to SW, in any form!