Arguments for and against Decriminalizing Prostitution - Essay Example

The criminalization of prostitution would create ideal conditions for the rampant exploitation and abuse of sex workers. To control the trafficking of women, coercion, and exploitation of prostitution should be decriminalized and the social rights of prostitutes are recognized (Wijer 1998). If prostitution was decriminalized then there would be fewer chances of abuse and sex-related crimes. For example, if prostitution is made legal then the victims of sexual crimes would be less hesitant in reporting the criminal activity to the police. This would improve the chances of catching the real perpetrators and prevent them from further victimization. Nevada is a perfect example of low crime rates. Prostitution has been legalized there and this has led to a lower crime rate. In November 2004 a ballot proposal to criminalize prostitution in Churchill County, Nevada, was by a 2 to 1 margin.

Arguments against Decriminalizing Prostitution

Decriminalization would mean that all laws related to prostitution be removed. In other words, buying a woman would be socially and legally equivalent to buying cigarettes. Rape and prostitution are almost the same the only difference between the two is that in prostitution the prostitute gets paid to be raped. Decriminalizing is not the way to make prostitution a ‘little bit better’ any more than it is possible to make slavery a ‘little bit better’. It is a cruel lie to suggest that decriminalization will protect anyone in prostitution. It is not possible to protect someone whose source of income exposes them to being raped at least once a week (Farley 2004).  Prostitution is a profoundly harmful institution where prostitutes (mostly women and young girls) are hurt the most. They are hurt not only physically but also psychologically. Most of the prostitutes in this industry are there as a last resort. They do not choose to be ‘paid raped’ like they would choose to be a doctor. Although prostitution has been decriminalized in New Zealand it has brought about an increase in illegal, hidden, and street prostitution. Prostitution should not be decriminalized because it is immoral and spreads sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as HIV/AIDS. Studies show that even if the prostitute is tested every week for HIV they would still test negative for 4-5 weeks and sometimes up to 10 weeks after being infected. During this time the prostitute may expose as many as 600 of her clients to HIV/AIDS. Hence prostitution is an evil institution. No matter how old this profession is it is still immoral and wrong.