Prostitution and its social consequences
Sisyphe | 23.03.2005 06:37 | Gender | Social Struggles | Cambridge | London
A substantial body of research shows that the majority of prostituted women are on average recruited at the age of about 14, after being made vulnerable by the violence in their surroundings, poverty, unemployment or drugs. Is it realistic to assume that at the age of 18, a miracle will occur that suddenly releases them from all constraints? As between juvenile and adult prostitution, there is also a continuum between local prostitution and international trafficking in women for the purpose of prostitution. Criminal gangs import and export women for prostitution in order constantly to offer new women to their clients and maximize their profits.
This article attempts to highlight the essential role played by the client in the perpetuation of prostitution and to show, on the basis of various pieces of research, that a world without prostitution is possible, just as it was possible to abolish slavery and apartheid.
Read full story: The need for a public debate on prostitution and its social consequences, Elaine Audet
Others titles on prostitution, pornography and sexual traffic
* Helping the prostituted women or promoting prostitution? Letter sent to the Québec Health Minister (June 20th 2004), Elaine Audet
* The legalization of prostitution and its impact on trafficking in women and children, Richard Poulin, professor of sociology, University of Ottawa
* "If you don't take a job as a prostitute, we can stop your benefits", Clare Chapman
* Why Women Must Get out Men's Laps, Andrea Dworkin
* Sweden Treating Prostitution as Violence Against Women, Marie De Santis
* Decriminalize the Prostitutes, not Prostitution, Elaine Audet and Micheline Carrier
* Globalization and the Sex Trade: Trafficking and the Commodification of Women and Children, Richard Poulin, professor of sociology, University of Ottawa
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Canada Contributes to the Sexual Trafficking of Women for Purposes of Prostitution, Elaine Audet
* The Legalisation of Prostitution: A failed social experiment, Sheila Jeffreys
* Ten Reasons for Not Legalizing Prostitution, Janice G. Raymond
* Legitimating Prostitution as Sex Work: UN Labour Organization (ILO) Calls for Recognition of the Sex Industry (Part One), Janice G. Raymond
* Legitimating Prostitution as Sex Work: UN International Labour Organization Calls for Recognition of the Sex Industry (Part Two), Janice G. Raymond
* Prostitution: Rights of Women or right to women? Elaine Audet
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Comments
Hide the following 3 comments
sheila jeffreys - prostituted mind
21.08.2005 12:42
Sex workers want to choose where and how they work, self-determination is the result of the decriminalisation of sex work. Sex workers organise collectively to address issues impacting upon their lives and work.
Sheila Jeffreys uses terminology to describe us that is disrespectful and we do not acknowledge. There are many feminists among us and we stand together to call for the end of the use of theories that silence us (developed by the likes of Sheila).
Wake up UK - you are causing 'the problems associated with prostitution' by criminalising the women who work as sex workers. You are actively endorsing the stigmatisation of sex workers and an unacceptable level of discrimination.
Heeding Sheilas advice will only ensure you are cementing the stigmatisation of sex workers.
debby
e-mail: decriminalisedebby@westnet.com.au
missing info
12.09.2005 21:57
Janelle
Janelle
the proof is in the voices of sex workers
06.11.2005 06:10
The evidence that Sheila is wrong is the way in which Australian Sex Workers have come together to say no to the distortion of our experiences and our views. We participate in feminist, union, health and legal forums to ensure the voices of anti-sex work feminists who have for too long gotten away with silencing us by shouting us down or speaking over us can not continue. We have had enough of the perpetuation of our lives as without agency, without choice and with our intelligence. Someone who chooses to exchange the labour of their mind for money (academics) are not the only people able to make choice.
Sex workers have been exploited by some in the womens movement who choose to not listen but rather to misrepresent our experiences.
It is time those that have simplied swallowed the rants of Sheila and the likes began to reflect on why sex workers voices are not represented - or only represented when we are interested in telling the stories of our negative experiences.
Discrimination and stigmatisation keep us silent and allow the distortion of our experiences. If you are interested in the truth now is the time to start listening.
In a criminalised environment we are more likely to be exploited. Decriminalisation is the only model of sex industry legislation which supports women having control over our workplaces.
Debby
debby
e-mail: decriminalisedebby@westnet.com.au