Submitted via IRC for Bytram
Around the world, there's a growing movement to decriminalize sex work. Last year, Amnesty International, the largest human rights group in the world, came out with a recommendation that governments should decriminalize consensual sex work and develop laws that ensure workers are "protected from harm, exploitation and coercion." A United Nations commission has also come out in support of legalizing prostitution.
But the idea is a divisive one, stirring impassioned debates and concerns about the ways varying approaches could harm sex workers. Amnesty's recent policy drew strong support from public health advocates and intense backlash from those aiming to end prostitution completely.
Understanding the scope, harms and public health implications of policies addressing the world's oldest profession is really tricky. While prostitution - the buying and selling of sex - is a multibillion dollar industry, the sex trade is clandestine by nature. It's taboo. That makes it really hard to study, especially in the United States.
That's most often the case, except in this one part of the country, where the laws of prostitution were totally upended. It's a peculiar story that's largely left out of the current discussion. The place in question is not Nevada, where there's a small number of regulated brothels in certain rural counties.
It's a whole state - Rhode Island.
For several years, ending in 2009, indoor prostitution such as in massage parlors, strip clubs and through online escorts, was not a crime in this tiny New England State.
The whole thing happened somewhat unintentionally. But at the time, it fueled a heated public debate about sex, crime and health.
Years later, some are revisiting the lessons learned.
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Wednesday August 09 2017, @11:31PM
Maybe, maybe not. Some people enjoy their work, you know. Some people actually chose professions that they truly enjoy. Also, some women enjoy sex. I know, that's an anti-puritan point of view, but some women enjoy sex a little, others enjoy sex a lot, some few women just can't get enough sex.
You can easily make a case that a woman who has been a prostitute for years may not enjoy her job as much. But, stories have been published about part time Las Vegas prostitutes who say that they actually do enjoy the experience.
How about this idea? There is probably an entire spectrum of reasons and motivations to become a prostitute. For some, the fun and adventure may wear off very quickly. For others, the fun may last for years. Maybe if you find some old prostitutes, you can interview them, to learn how their careers have gone, and when the fun ends.