Should Prostitution be decriminalized?

[sam_gordon]

There was a story on the Today show this morning about a push to decriminalize prostitution.
https://www.today.com/video/should-...zed-it-s-become-a-political-issue-77813317769
There have apparently been a bill filed in Vermont to do so. According to the Today show story, there are levels of decriminalization... everyone (prostitute, client, and pimp/manager) could not be charged with a crime or a "partial" decriminalization where only the client or manager/pimp could be charged.

Personally, if proper steps are taken, I don't have a problem with it. As far as what steps/safeguards need to be in place...
* No one should be forced into it.
* Sex workers should be able to leave (a manager/company/or the trade) whenever they want.
* Regular physicals & tests required of the workers

Basically treat sex workers like all other employees in every other industry.

Assuming someone WANTS to be a sex worker (and yes, those people are out there), why should that be illegal, but someone can choose to be a plumber (for example)?

 

[wvjules]

Short answer: Yes, it should be de-criminalized. Heavy regulated, but de-criminalized.

 

[morgan98]

I think my issue is that it is hard to know who is doing it because they want to vs. forced too. How are you going to determine the difference?

 

[RamblingMad]

I think, there are bigger fish to fry than wasting time on legalizing this vice.

 

[Hikergirl]

Yes

 

[Kennywood]

Things have certainly changed. What was bad is now good and what was good is now bad.

For example, 20 years ago, marijuana in a plastic bag was illegal. Now, the marijuana is legal and the plastic bag is practically illegal. Weird.....

 

[soccerdad72]

I think, there are bigger fish to fry than wasting time on legalizing this vice.

As opposed to all the time and money wasted on prosecuting the vice?

 

[Jennasis]

I never understood why it why was a crime. Forced sex work? Of course! Voluntary? Thats between the two parties. Shouldnt be a crime.

 

[Lilsia]

Short answer: Yes, it should be de-criminalized. Heavy regulated, but de-criminalized.

I agree with you. Mandate regular medical screenings, have protocols in place, etc.

 

[RamblingMad]

As opposed to all the time and money wasted on prosecuting the vice?

I can say the same thing about a lot of other laws too. But this doesn’t have a huge impact on the population. Stick to stuff that positively impacts the most people.

 

[Jennasis]

I can say the same thing about a lot of other laws too. But this doesn’t have a huge impact on the population. Stick to stuff that positively impacts the most people.

Sure it does. Think of all the taxable income out there if this was decriminalize and had regulations. Not to mention the public health benefits.

 

[Hikergirl]

I can say the same thing about a lot of other laws too. But this doesn’t have a huge impact on the population. Stick to stuff that positively impacts the most people.

The house averages 138 legislative days a year, the senate 162. I think they can squeeze in another day of work.

 

[Dead2009]

Sex work is also known as porn which is already legal. This should not be.

 

[TipsyTraveler]

Fully legalize it. Regulate it, tax it, make it as safe as possible for all parties. Funny how sex for money is illegal until you add a camera to the mix, then it’s a billion dollar industry.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Already legal in Nevada, with restrictions. And the law addresses -_criminalizes - pandering https://statelaws.findlaw.com/nevada-law/nevada-prostitution-and-solicitation-laws.html

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I think my issue is that it is hard to know who is doing it because they want to vs. forced too. How are you going to determine the difference?

I mean, isn't it like other jobs? Like, they would have W-4s and W2s and do taxes and whatnot. They would have to abide by corporate laws, etc?

 

[sam_gordon]

I think my issue is that it is hard to know who is doing it because they want to vs. forced too. How are you going to determine the difference?

How do people know you're doing your job because you want to and are not being forced to? Why is the sex trade treated different than any other trade?

 

[Searc]

How do people know you're doing your job because you want to and are not being forced to? Why is the sex trade treated different than any other trade?

You don't really understand the sex trade at all, do you? How women end up as prostitutes against their will?

 

[morgan98]

QUOTE="sam_gordon, post: 61503338, member: 287987"]
How do people know you're doing your job because you want to and are not being forced to? Why is the sex trade treated different than any other trade?
[/QUOTE]

Listen, I get it. One could say I am forced to be an accountant. However, I would venture to say that is very different than basically being held captive by a pimp and having to have sex with strangers.

In theory, I am fine with it being legalized. I mean if you want to pay someone for sex or have sex for money, who am I to say no. I just think this is a little more complicated than being "forced" to do other jobs.

 

[Hikergirl]

Prostitution is illegal and people are forced into it now.
Legalizing it isn't going to change that so no reason to use that as an argument against doing it.