I get Upset! Prostitution: A Negative Institution

[Dave in Phoenix]

I get Upset! Prostitution: A Negative Institution

Another example of a terribly typical anti-prostitution article at
http://www.opinioneditorials.com/freedomwriters/cliakos_20050914.html

Here is my reply sent to chris_liakos@yahoo.com
Re: Prostitution: A Negative Institution

What you are describing only applies to about 10% of prostitution in the U.S. - some street hookers that are so visible.

But maybe 90% of prostitution is drastically different and your arguments against decriminalization have absolutely no basis. Further, the U.S. is virtually the only place in the world where private consenting adult sexwork is totally illegal. Personally I enjoy the sexual freedoms in Canada since its close and their laws while not perfect are more similar to Europe and the rest of the world. None of your suggested terrible results are seen where private sexwork is legal.

Before you present your one sided arguments which apply to such a small percentage of "prostitutes", I encourage you do educate yourself about the other 90% that is a powerful positive force in my view in worldwide cultures.

I have zillions of articles you might enjoy on http://www.sexwork.com if your interested in educating yourself on the facts about consenting adult private sexwork. For example: http://sexwork.com/subcontents/sexworkreport.html

For example The Nature of Prostitution Work - An Australian Study:
http://www.sexwork.com/coalition/AustraliaStudy.html

I just returned from a wonderful 9 days in Victoria, B.C. that I share at
http://sexworkvictoria.com/

Or my many reports on various Canadian cities at:
http://www.sexworkcanada.com

I use Canada as a country very similar to the U.S. but not controlled by the conservatives or the religious right.

Ironically there is nothing biblically wrong whatsoever with "common" prostitution.
See:"Common Prostitution Is Not A Biblical Conflict" at
http://www.sexwork.com/coalition/christian.html

No, I am not a sex starved idiot. My interest is more in intimacy, caring touch and positive sex education which our culture so badly lacks.

On the "morality" issue, I am founder of Liberated Christians, at http://www.libchrist.com which resulted from my attempts decades ago to prove my then very conservative traditional "sex only in marriage" beliefs was biblically sound vs. more liberal ideas. However after taking biblical studies seriously for many years, I had to conclude I had been lied to by traditional beliefs which had no biblical basis. Now I share the freedom in Christ, people have for loving sexuality. Swinging and non goddess worshipping sexwork (professional private prostitution) is not any biblical conflict and can provide many benefits.

I encourage you to look at the other 90% of prostitution before writing such an ignorant article which you try and apply to all prostitution when it clearly only applies to a small minority, mostly street hookers, not private prostitutes. The vast majority of sexwork provides a benefit to a culture and activities are legal in most of the world except the U.S., with none of the negative terrible effects you claim result.

 

[RobBC]

Firstly I'll preface this with the fact that I agree 100% with your position, I just wanted to comment on one thing you mention in the letter.

Personally I enjoy the sexual freedoms in Canada since its close and their laws while not perfect are more similar to Europe and the rest of the world. None of your suggested terrible results are seen where private sexwork is legal.

Not true, as even though prostitution is "legal" here in Canada, we still have the SW scene where drug users are very prevalent. Take a stroll down East Hastings in Vancouver if you don't believe me.

Now perhaps you'll say that "but that's SW, and SW isn't legal in Canada". Sure, but this passage doesn't make that distinction. And aside from that, I'm certain that I've seen girls who work in agencies (or are independents) who are drug users, abuse victims, etc. They might not be the norm, but they do exist.

I'm also interested in where the 90% figure comes from? Is this a number based upon a research study done by some group, or is it just your perception of what prostitution in Canada is?

RobBC

 

[Dave in Phoenix]

RobBC
When I say "PRIVATE" prostitution this does not include the street hooker which often does have the problems stated in the article.

Yes there can be problems in private workers, but far less common and as you said not the "norm". I'd still say without any statistical support that 90% of all prostitution doesn't have the problems. It is mostly but not entirely in the relatively small but very visual to the public SW.

I have seen various studies (but can't quote or reference) that estimate SW at 5-10% of total prostitution not sure if in U.S. or Canada but probably not much difference between countries.

In Canada a SW can legally get picked up and say "we have to go to my hotel room and discuss something you may be interested in". As a judge in Ontario said when a cop arrested her for public solictation "seems she knows the law". Of course if she "regularily" used it could be bawdy but if different hotel each night probably not any issue.

 

[HaywoodJabloemy]

...where the 90% figure comes from?..

Libby Davies, who is the vice chair of the Subcommittee on Solicitation Laws, acknowledged that maybe 95% of prostitution in Canada is not street prostitution. It was mentioned earlier this year when the subcommittee was in Vancouver for two days. I know it was in an article on cbc.ca, but I can't find it now because the website has been messed up by the CBC's lockout. John Lowman of SFU has been saying in recent years that off-street prostitution accounts for a minimum of 80% of the business in Canada.

 

[therealrex]

Even Amsterdam still has street prostitution there's no way to eliminate it completely.

 

[cancowboy2001]

Libby Davies, who is the the vice chair of the Subcommittee on Solicitation Laws, acknowledged that maybe 95% of prostitution in Canada is not street prostitution. It was mentioned earlier this year when the subcommittee was in Vancouver for two days. I know it was in an article on cbc.ca, but I can't find it now because the website has been messed up by the CBC's lockout. John Lowman of SFU has been saying in recent years that off-street prostitution accounts for a minimum of 80% of the business in Canada.

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/03/29/prostitutecommittee0329.html
"And Davies says she's also concerned about the escort business – noting that it accounts for up to 95 per cent of prostitution in Canada. "

 

[Dave in Phoenix]

Even Amsterdam still has street prostitution there's no way to eliminate it completely.

Well, they are trying to eliminate it as they are in most of Europe. Many of the great zones for prostitutes have been again outlawed due to trafficing and under aged problems.

Street prostitution ends in Rotterdam
14 September 2005
AMSTERDAM — Street prostitution on the Keileweg in Rotterdam came to an end on Tuesday night. Both Streetwalking and window prostitution is now illegal in the port city. In its heyday, up to 250 women sold sex on the Keileweg and traffic jams built up on the street as potential clients cruised the area in their cars.

Rotterdam Council voted in 2002 that the city's street prostitution area should close because of ongoing crime, drugs and public disturbance problems. Due to the large amount of drug dealers and drug addicts hanging around the area, the zone was classified as being uncontrollable. The women who worked on the street have been offered places in programmes to help them find another line of business.

Amsterdam Council closed its street prostitution zone in the western harbour area at the end of 2003 as a result of ongoing problems with organised crime and the illegal trafficking of women.