to think that truely feminist stance on prostitution, is to support legalisation?

[StuckInTheMiddleWithYou]

I recently moved to an inner city area.

There is a known brothel here and a homeless shelter.

I have seen some very sad, desperate sights walking past our home lately.

I wouldn't want any child of mine involved in this trade, however this does strike as something which desperately needs regulating - for the sake of the women, girls and boys involved.

Prohibition has failed miserably.

AIBU?

Regarding the idea that prostitution can be compared to any other degrading or low status job. I was in prostitution when I was a teenager. After I got out of it I worked as a cleaner because I didn't have any other skills at the time. The job was unpleasant and mildly humiliating, but it was not traumatic. That is the difference. Prosititution was traumatic both physically and psychologically. It was also dangerous and life-threatening every time I went with a john. I was verbally abused, physically and sexually assaulted and raped. I knew or knew of girls and women who were not so 'lucky' - who died of overdoses, suicided, went missing or were murdered by johns. The constant fear, stress, trauma and violation of prostitution cannot be compared to cleaning or any other low status, laborious or menial job. I'm currently dealing with relationship problems, chronic depression, an anxiety disorder and a life-threatening infectious disease, and it's not because I once cleaned toilets for a living. Lets get real and stop comparing the profound violence and trauma of prostitution with having to empty the garbage.

For the record, I don't support legalisation because I know that it's a failed experiment. A poorly conceived and poorly enforced legislation that has actually increased the illegal industry everywhere it's been introduced can't possibly reduce the harms of prostitution. I support the Nordic legislation which provides well funded exit stategies and support to women, challenges and reduces male demand, pimping and trafficking and importantly recognises prostitution for what it is - violence and sexual exploitaiton, mostly against women and girls.

I was raped at 18 (I was a virgin at the time) when I was too drunk to move or speak clearly, though I'm pretty sure he understood when I said "no," given how many times and how forcefully I tried to say it. You wouldn't believe how many women/girls have told me that something similar has happened to them.

The pornification of our culture directly contributes to this; I believe that firmly. If women are seen as objects to be bought and sold and possessed, then it follows that they are always "up for it." And if a naive, drunken 18 year old slurs no, she can't possibly mean it, since she's got a vagina and everyone knows those are public property.

Wow, just realized how old this thread was!

I just realised how old the thread is as well. Sorry to dredge up old debates. I'm still working out how to navigate this forum. Obviously!

Sorry I havent read all the posts but yes I'm totally with you. I don't think the state has the right to tell one what you can do with your own body between 2 consenting adults.
Legalising it would mean you could regulate it. Could force girls to work in brothels which are far safer than walking the streets and make it law that they must have security, regular STD checks, inspections etc etc etc.

The reality is that prostitution will never go away, and that criminalising it just means the criminals run it, rather than ex double glazing salesmen or whatever.

I think it should be legalized, regulated and taxed, like booze and fags, so that the Randy fuckers money goes to state coffers and the girls get a better deal.

Wow, what a thread.

Firstly, I'd like to thank all the wg's (current and ex!) that have taken the time to post their thoughts and experiences. (Genuine question if you don't mind - do you 'like' the use of the wg/working girl term? Seems a bit patronising to me but what do I know, just don't want to offend).

Secondly, most people will know I am firmly pro choice. I simply refuse to believe that every prostitute out there is miserable and exploited (before everyone jumps up and down wanting stats, I am working from sheer common sense, so I am not trawling the internet for evidence that will then be rubbished for a hundred and one varying reasons).

That said, I cannot deny (and don't see anyone else denying) that there is much exploitation involved in the trade.

So, we surely need an approach that both respects the choices of others and also protect the most vulnerable amongst us.

Criminalising the purchase of sex punishes those who choose and want to be part of the trade. So decriminalising and very close regulation of the industry seems to me to be the next best alternative? Tax the trade? Put the income back into sex ed? Or into supporting women and men who want out? Or supporting those that have been harmed by 'underground' trade (who no doubt would have been harmed whatever the status of prostitution in UK law?)

I don't know what the answer is, I just think an approach is needed that respects the views of women who have been abused as part of the industry AND those who want to stay in it?

(Sorry, I am a bad, inarticulate poster).

Sorry, that sounds god AWFULLY patronising. I should say: I want to thank the WG's for sharing their experiences as it is refreshing to get first hand accounts rather then 'I know someone who knows someone who knows someone who may be a prostitute' crap I usually read.

Told you I was a rubbish poster.

I don't believe prostitution should be legalised at all. Laws are there to protect us as a society and barring (maybe) the "Secret Diaries" set prostitutes need the protection of the police and the legal system the most. Men, women, boys and girls are forced into this "profession" by drugs and organised crime. Making it legal is not making it safe, it's making it easier for gangs to exploit the most vulnerable members of our community. And for the most part, it's not randy fuckers who go to prostitutes. It's sick fuckers.

"And for the most part, it's not randy fuckers who go to prostitutes. It's sick fuckers."

...and there ends any rational discussion.

And we wonder why the problem never gets solved?

The majority are sick fuckers. Just ask any prostitutes you know!

No need to legalize prostitution: in the UK it is legal, always has been.