LBC call from a "sex worker" who loves her work apparently. So depressing.

[hilbobaggins]

I'm a long time lurker on this board and I've learned a lot about a load of stuff here, not least about prostitution and the Nordic model. A lot of my opinions have changed completely as a result of what I've read here. It's been an incredibly valuable resource for me.

I was listening to LBC and heard this www.lbc.co.uk/radio/presenters/iain-dale/sex-worker-decriminalisation-of-prostitution. listening to it made me feel awful, really sad and angry on behalf of the millions of women across the world forced into prostitution and the horror of that life. It was the closest I've come to calling the show myself, but I chickened out because I couldn't think how to counter the argument of this woman who apparently is ecstatically happy fucking men for money (and apparently uses prostitutes herself, unless I got that wrong).

It made me wish I could think faster on my feet. What would you have said? Still thinking about this, still feeling disgusted about it.

To clarify I had a friend who lived abroad. She did this willingly. Loved the money. Has had no ill effects as far as I can tell. (She's never regretted it, it was her choice, she worked alone as an escort). This was some time ago. I knew about it. Did everything I could to talk her out of it, she was adamant it was fine for her. I'd of slept easier if I'd of known she was in a safer environment than she was. Again I have no idea how this would work.

I think the ones who aren't tricked or coerced probably have their own complex reasons for doing it. The lure/validation of big money in exchange for sexual subordination is probably a bit of a shallow analysis.

There are some things that are morally wrong, this, drugs and so on but we as a whole world will never be able to stop any of it will we? It goes on in every part of the world and it is all wrong. But can it ever be stopped? I doubt it.

I think the point is that we always aim up and away from barbarianism, chaos, and cheapening the value of human life isn't it? We criminalise certain things even though we know that we will never eradicate them.

I just don't believe them. I think they are emotiinally cut off. I have known five escorts in my life and know about another lady through one. Five out if the six i know have been through rape or abuse, and the one I don't know well enough seems to be happy, but I get that violent vibe from her husband and I never knew her well enough to ask about her life.

And I believe it is possible to pretty much eradicate most prostitution- though I'm sure there will always be pockets of it here and there.

The "we will never stop it" argument is false. Why bother ever enacting any law against bad things?

Society changes. Drink driving and forcing non- smokers to passive smoke were perfectly acceptable when I was born.

Most people now think drunk drivers are despicable. Smoking has dropped and I would like to think most people would consider inflicting passive smoking on children is despicable.

Punters are despicable. You cannot say that too often.

Too right lass
How can they live with themselves?

They tell themselves that the women who do it just really enjoy sex that's how. And that's the half way decent men. The others either don't care or enjoy it that way.

There is also the " foreigners don't count" brigade. I've met a couple of them in the oil industry. I'm sure they would not have considered going to prostitutes in the U.K but it was ok on far eastern postings.

It's sad that willing prostitutes would be put out of work if the laws were changed. Some might even be forced to resort to burger flipping, and the like. Still, burger flipping is work like any other, I'm told, and many women choose it willingly. Who among us can claim to having our dream job?

7days

I was being sarky GuardianLions I was trying to invert the usual pro- arguments. But it was late and I'd had wine so it came out garbled

Coercive consent is no consent at all. There are myriad examples of how women are coerced beyond the immediate threat of violence but at the root of it is that there is no truly free choice.

Ha ha 7days
It looked like a parody - but it does sometimes when people are being serious too. All too many times