Unprotected: How Legalizing Prostitution Has Failed

[redqueen]

When Germany legalized prostitution just over a decade ago, politicians hoped that it would create better conditions and more autonomy for sex workers. It hasn't worked out that way, though. Exploitation and human trafficking remain significant problems. By SPIEGEL Staff

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Before the new law, prostitution itself was not punished, but it was considered immoral. The authorities tolerated brothels, euphemistically referring to them as "commercial room rental." Today, just over 11 years after prostitution was upgraded under the 2001 law, there are between 3,000 and 3,500 red-light establishments, according to estimates by the industry association Erotik Gewerbe Deutschland (UEGD). The Ver.di public services union estimates that prostitution accounts for about €14.5 billion in annual revenues.

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German law enforcement officers working in red-light districts complain that they are hardly able to gain access to brothels anymore. Germany has become a "center for the sexual exploitation of young women from Eastern Europe, as well as a sphere of activity for organized crime groups from around the world," says Manfred Paulus, a retired chief detective from the southern city of Ulm. He used to work as a vice detective and now warns women in Bulgaria and Belarus against being lured to Germany.

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Despite stories like these, politicians in Berlin feel no significant pressure to do anything. This is partly because, in the debate over prostitution, an ideologically correct position carries more weight than the deplorable realities. For example, when the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences held a conference on prostitution in Germany a year ago, an attendee said that prostitution, "as a recognized sex trade, is undergoing a process of emancipation and professionalization.

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The Netherlands chose the path of legal deregulation two years before Germany. Both the Dutch justice minister and the police concede that there have been no palpable improvements for prostitutes since then. They are generally in poorer health than before, and increasing numbers are addicted to drugs. The police estimate that 50 to 90 percent of prostitutes do not practice the profession voluntarily.


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http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/human-trafficking-persists-despite-legality-of-prostitution-in-germany-a-902533.html

It was very difficult paring this 5-page article down to four paragraphs.

Worth reading the whole thing.

[zazen]

1. k&r and bookmark to read later n/t

[markiv]

2. 'red light district' was coined in Dodge City, KS

from the railroadmen, carrying red lanterns

[sigmasix]

3. thanks for this OP Redqueen

The legalization of prostitution seems to have nothing to do with fairness- rather, it's obvious that it seems to be more about the legalized re-inculcation of men as "The Boss", and the use of women's sexuality as a consumer good. These are not principles that follow American notions about creating a more perfect union. It isnt possible to maintain true democracy when 50% of the citizens are viewed as objects or products to be rented or stolen. I would love to see what America could be like if it wasn't for right wing misogynysts and congess critters that believe women's bodies ought to be a consumer good. I kow there are those that honestly believe lagalized prostitution will lead to better working conditions and health benefits. I've always thought that the new "rights" and "conditions" alloted for prostitutes (should legalization ever happen) has more to do with the fear felt by male customers- fear of being discovered cheating on their family. Of the men that are honest and true, concern for the well being of women working in the sex industry is of paramount concern. This sure does feel like the same old moving goalpost of ethics that works so well for Fox "News" and other right wing echo-chamber organizations.
Or I could be dead wrong and legaliztion could work wonders; sex industry workers could find themselves gaining more control over their job and enjoying the work benefits.
I have not been convinced that there should ever come a time when prostition should be legalized and regulated. I guess women's bodies are going to be treated as economic "widgets" in a high pressure, volitile world-wide trade of female "product".

[redqueen]

4. For some, that is the case. 50% seems to be a generous estimate.

For the other 50-90%, it is not so much fun. Unless you consider the conditions described by so many in the life, but not by choice, as fun.

Allowing all these other women to suffer for the sake of the maybe 50% who actually do enjoy it? To me, it is not a fair trade.

As the evidence grows over the coming years it is inevitable. It's just a matter of how much longer this kind of suffering will go on before then.

I wanted to include this in the OP as well.

Pierrette Pape believes that there are consequences to the way prostitution is viewed in various countries. "Nowadays, a little boy in Sweden grows up with the fact that buying sex is a crime. A little boy in the Netherlands grows up with the knowledge that women sit in display windows and can be ordered like mass-produced goods." Pape is the spokeswoman of the European Women's Lobby in Brussels, an umbrella group for 2,000 European women's organizations.

[nomorenomore08]

5. The Swedish approach to the problem, while imperfect, may be the "lesser evil" so to speak.

From what I've read, some evidence suggests that under the Swedish law, low-level street prostitution has been dramatically reduced, while higher-level "escort" services have been comparatively unaffected.

At the very least, I don't believe that the selling of sex should be criminalized, since that only further stigmatizes an already vulnerable population, i.e. sex workers. Beyond that I have no definitive solutions to offer.

[redqueen]

6. The writing is on the wall re: the Nordic model.

The only obstacles to progress are the lobby which fights so hard for this multi billion dollar industry, and of course, sex buyers.

For some reason I was just reminded of a scene from House (and similar scenes from other movies/lines from other songs/bits from comedians)... where Taub and Foreman are at a strip club discussing Taub's thoughts about his girlfriend's pregnancy. Foreman says Taub would make a lousy father and Taub agrees and then says something like 'then again' and starts waving around a wad of cash for a lap dance.

[ismnotwasm]

7. Every single country with legal prostitution has run into unanticipated problems

I was looking at these paragraph from the article.

Despite the worsening conditions, women are flocking to Germany, the largest prostitution market in the European Union -- a fact that even brothel owners confirm. Holger Rettig of the UEGD says that the influx of women from Romania and Bulgaria has increased dramatically since the two countries joined the EU. "This has led to a drop in prices," says Rettig, who notes that the prostitution business is characterized by "a radical market economy rather than a social market economy."

To operate a mobile snack bar in Germany, one has to be in compliance with the DIN 10500/1 standard for "Vending Vehicles for Perishable Food," which states, for example, that soap dispensers and disposable towels are required. A brothel operator is not subject to any such restrictions. All he or she has to do is report to authorities when the brothel is opened.

Proponents of legalization argue that everyone has the right to engage in whatever profession he or she chooses. Some feminists even praise prostitutes for their emancipation, because, they say, women should be able to do what they want with their bodies. In practice, however, it becomes clear how blurred the boundaries are between voluntary and forced prostitution. Did women like Alina and Cora become prostitutes voluntarily, and did they make autonomous decisions? "It is politically correct in Germany to respect the decisions of individual women," says lawyer Gugel. "But if you want to protect women, this isn't the way to do it."

What will happen in response to this, is interviews with sex workers deploring the 'stereotype' of the prostitituted woman, stating most sex workers live fulfilled and happy lives. What I wonder is about percentages. And if you're on top of the food chain while your sister is being trafficked or stabbed in the face, you do not have my admiration, nor do I consider such persons to be a reasonable reflection of reality.

[redqueen]

8. "if you're on top of the food chain while your sister is being trafficked or stabbed in the face..."

THIS

[redqueen]

9. More on this issue.

Selling sex should be legal, buying it should remain outlawed: advocacy group

Buying sex and pimping must remain a criminal offence while the sale of such services should be legal in Canada, according to a Vancouver advocacy group that will make its arguments next month before the Supreme Court of Canada.

“There is something besides simply criminalizing everyone involved in prostitution … and decriminalizing and legalizing the sex trade so that men are free simply to buy women at will,” said University of B.C. law professor Janine Benedet, who is representing the Women’s Coalition for the Abolition of Prostitution.

The group, which includes the Vancouver Rape Relief and Women’s Shelter, was granted intervener status last month in a Supreme Court case that will rule whether Canada’s prostitution laws are constitutional.

Benedet said the Nordic prostitution model of “asymmetrical criminalization” has made countries such as Sweden, Norway and Iceland unfavourable destinations for johns and human traffickers.

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http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/2013/05/29/selling-sex-should-be-legal-buying-it-should-remain-outlawed-advocacy-group

Prostitution crackdown bill backed by public as 80% of those asked say they want a law to ban paying for sex

SCOTS have shown overwhelming support for a proposed law making it illegal to pay for sex.

A public consultation on the proposed Purchase of Sex Bill found almost 80 per cent of respondents would back laws targeting punters who visit prostitutes.

The idea was put forward by Labour MSP Rhoda Grant, who hopes it will lead to the prosecution of buyers of sex rather than those trapped in the trade.

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“If this shifts the onus from those who are prostituted to those who are purchasers, I think that makes a clear ­statement about our society.” The study features testimony from sex workers, customers and ex-prostitutes, as well as charities, local councils, police, lawyers, church groups and academics.

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http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/prostitution-crackdown-bill-backed-public-1921137

[redqueen]

10. Kick for anyone who hasn't seen this. nt