Saying we need these laws to stop trafficking is untrue. First, most trafficking is for domestic or agricultural work, so would we need to make picking grapes illegal to go after those kind of human traffickers? All of the debate surrounding the changes in the laws is focused on the women. This focus is understandable because in states where prostitution is illegal, statistics show that 90% of the arrests are of the sex worker, 5% of the Johns, and 5% pimp or trafficker. It seems counter-active if our desire is to reduce prostitution that we would focus on the supply. Maybe it is time to focus on the demand side?
In 1999, Sweden rewrote their prostitution laws, making it legal to sell sex but illegal to purchase sex. Essentially, Sweden considers prostitution a form of violence against women. The number of prostitutes in Sweden dropped 40% from 2,500 in 1998 to 1,500 in 2003. Gone too, for the most part, are the renowned Swedish brothels and massage parlors which proliferated during the last three decades of the twentieth century when prostitution in Sweden was legal, (Very similar to the situation in Rhode Island)
The success of Sweden's law has prompted Norway and Iceland to adopt the same law this year, and many other European countries are sending representatives to Sweden to study this unique law. Maybe it is time for Rhode Island to look into this 10 year time tested and vetted solution.
Oh and by the way, Donna Hughes lies about my film.
If illegal slave trading, kidnapping or other violations of the law are taking place in these locations, why can't these can be prosecuted with existing laws? You don't need an anti-prostitution law to prosecute people who are involved in slave trading, or to prosecute employers who are forcing people to work against their will.
If the behavior you want stopped is the trafficking, slavery and abuse of women, than by all means pursue those crimes and the people who engage in them vigorously, but if all parties are adult and willing, prostitution itself shouldn't be a crime. If on the other hand you have a problem with people paying for sex, than just say so and don't hide behind the human trafficking PC defense.
Shutting down places that practice LEGAL prostitution because some of them are involved in human trafficking is like shutting down all shoe stores because some shoe/sneaker manufacturers force underage children to work in unsafe factories.
No difference at all.
There is only one problem with your argument, John. The pimps and johns are illegally transporting illegal aliens promising them life in affluent America, then enslaving them to the horrific life in these brothels behind the scenes. Making prostitution legal will not rid us of this aspect to the problem. I lean libertarian, and even believe some of the drug laws be altered, but when granting license to practice a vice promises slavery for a class of people, I am firmly against it, and so should you be.
Wow, thank you for the list! I'll make note of it.
So what will all the cops, judges, state workers and senators do if they outlaw prostitution in RI?? After all these guys are some of the biggest customers at these spas and clubs!
All they have to do is legalize prostitution in RI (and every other state for that matter) so that the girls, the johns and the state will all be better off. It's the only solution to controlling human trafficking , pimps, and abuse. It could provide sorely needed tax revenue for the state not to mention continue to be a tremendous resource for the men who rely on these businesses.
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