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Prostitution: Is the law failing sex workers?

  • 05-08-2019 12:48am
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,230 ✭✭✭


    First, let's address the elephant in the room. Like anything in life, there isn't just one side to a single story, and this is certainly no exception. The forced sexual exploitation of human beings for profit is a fact, a pitiful and disgusting fact in this day and age but a fact none the less, and there is not a single country in the world where it does not happen. We may not like to accept that, but it is a reality. That is one side of the story. Another side, one that many do or do not choose to accept, is that there are those that sell their bodies for sex of their own free will. One of the most common arguments I hear about that is "how would you feel if your daughter was a prostitute?". I shall address that and further arguments later on in this post. Needless to say all of this is my opinion, but an opinion that I certainly hope speaks some truth.

    For the remainder of this post, I shall refer to those that sell these services of their own free will as sex workers, regardless if you accept that someone can willingly choose this as a form of work, or whether you even accept this as a form of work. I am using this term simply as a means of respect towards the sex workers themselves, as I feel there is a lot of stigma attached to old term of prostitute. Please note when I refer to sex worker, I am referring to those who choose to have sex for money, and are in no way forced or coerced by anyone else. That is one of the things I would like to hammer home to you all: sex workers doing so of their own will, and those that are purposefully enslaved and exploited for profit are NOT the same. They are similar, but in reality are 2 distinct entities from one another. If we are to help either one, this is a fact we must acknowledge, regardless of our own personal feelings.

    This is an issue I've paid close attention to over the last two to three years. For those of you that don't know, in 2017 the purchase of sexual services became illegal, although the selling of same was left unchanged.This law was enacted despite the challenges of the very people that this law was supposed to protect: the sex workers themselves. Various organisations also spoke out against the introduction of this criminalisation law, not least of whom was Amnesty International.

    In the 2 and a half years since this law was introduced, violence against sex workers has increased. I was reading very recently in fact, about a man who had viciously assaulted 2 sex workers, and was given a sentence of 20 years. Whether that holds out remains to be seen. Only a few months ago there was another similar case where sex workers had been assaulted. I have seen statistics posted by the Sex Workers Alliance of Ireland that violence against sex workers has increased by over 90%. One thing that has always baffled me about this law is how the selling of sex is legal, but if sex workers share the same residence then it is automatically classified as a brothel, which is illegal. It was only back in March or so if I remember correctly, where two sex workers were charged for running a brothel and were imprisoned for 9 months, as well as being heavily fined. One of these sex workers was even pregnant. Now that makes no sense to me whatsoever: you're allowed to sell sex for money, but if you work with another sex worker you are operating a brothel, even though no one is forcing you to do this and no one is profiting from this but yourselves. Surely working together is much safer than working alone?

    As I said previously, the sex workers themselves along with the Sex Workers Alliance of Ireland, spoke out against this law, and they were effectively just ignored? The very people this law was going to effect, and their opinions were just cast aside? How does that even make sense? Who better to speak up for something than someone who is engaged in that very same thing? It is completely illogical. I've said this on a thread elsewhere, and I shall repeat it here word for word, based on what I've just said: "I can only arrive at the conclusion that sex workers are no longer regarded as actual human beings let alone women in the minds of those that do not even grant them the courtesy of actually being listened to". How else can you explain that their opinions based on their own actual experience were just completely ignored?

    Let me go back to that argument people make of "how would you feel if your daughter was a prostitute?". Well I don't have a daughter, and honestly do not plan on ever having kids. But yes, if I did I would not imagine a life as a prostitute is something I would choose for her. It is a dangerous life. Letting complete strangers into your apartment or hotel room, when you are completely alone. In all honesty, it actually frightens me. But if I had a daughter and she was working as a sex worker of her own free will, I would certainly hope that although I may not be comfortable with it, that I would support her nonetheless. Because it is about choice: who are you, or I, or anybody to dictate what consenting adults can do behind closed doors, regardless or not if there is money involved?

    Conversely, let's talk about those that purchase sex. First, there are those that view those that partake in purchasing sex as being objectifying towards women, and so on. Well that depends. Are they going with the sole idea of getting their own personal, and not giving a single damn about the welfare of the person they are paying to be with? This is where I'm going bringing back exploited sexual slavery. Do they pay to have sex with people that they can quite clearly tell are not doing so of their own will? Do they even stop and ask that question? I'm a fairly pessimistic person at best, but even I cannot accept that so many people would willingly pay for this. There are those whose hearts are so foul that of course they see no problem with this, the very same of those that seek to exploit and profit from these victims of human trafficking. Then again, maybe I put too much faith in people.

    But maybe I'm right. Maybe there are those that the very thought of the above sickens them to their core. They would never seek out to pay for sex with someone that was not consenting to it. I say maybe, but of course there are. If there weren't, the Sex Workers Alliance of Ireland and other organisations worldwide would not be campaign for sex workers to have basic human rights instead of legal wrongs. Kate McGrew, herself a sex worker, is championing the campaign in Ireland for the Sex Workers Alliance of Ireland. There are many videos available on Youtube with interviews, and she makes a strong compelling case in every video I've seen.


    Those that purchase sex from sex workers doing so of their own free will, they are normal people (majority being men of course). Sons, husbands, nephews, friends, fathers, etc (I'm not gonna go into the whole debate of cheating on partners, that's not what this is about). I don't believe they are demons or monsters. Yes, there are those that do fit that description. And they are the very same people that assault sex workers, the very same people that see no wrong in helping to finance human trafficking. But as I said from the start, there's more than one side to any story, and this is no exception.

    I just cannot see how this law was ever supposed to protect either willing sex workers or those that are victims of forced sexual exploitation. This law was referred to as The Swedish model, where it has been law since the late 90's. I have read articles and viewed videos by not only sex workers in Sweden but police officers as well, who have come out saying that the law has been an out and out failure. And it seems to be going down exactly the same track here.

    It's not referred to as the world's oldest profession for the fun of it. It's been around for centuries, maybe even millennia. And it'll be around so long as our species still lives. Even if we go off to conquer the stars, it will go along for the ride! It is not something that can be gotten rid of just by pushing a few laws against it. This heavy handed approach clearly has not worked, and will never work. Things will only continue to get worse for sex workers, with human trafficking seeing no effects from it whatsoever.

    By the same token, I do not believe that legalising everything is the answer either! But there has got to be some sort of middle ground where we can work towards reducing and helping actual victims of forced exploitation, as well as supporting and safeguarding those that choose to work as sex workers, regardless if you agree with the idea that someone can choose it or that it can even be described as work.

    But surely, the way to start is not by ignoring the opinions of sex workers but actually listening to them? Get rid of that ridiculous law that defines two sex workers working together as a brothel for a start! Let them work together, there is safety in numbers after all. Nothing good ever comes from a one sided approach. We don't live in a black and white world, a world where everything is 'this or that'. We live in a world with a plethora of colours! Remember, freely and willingly engaging in sex for money, and forced sexual exploitation are not one in the same, and so they cannot be dealt with using the same tactics.


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,175 ✭✭✭✭Rjd2


    Its a seedy business and there is definitely a trafficked element which must be confronted, but there are people who choose this work and therefore we must make them the priority. The current law from what I seen has done them no favors and has made their job harder and seems to have gone down poorly with
    those who opposed it.


    I always find it depressing/amusing those incredibly vocal feminists when it comes to abortion always scream " my body my choice",,, but don't adopt the same logic regarding prostitution.

    It needs to be legalised, taxed and yes we can still help those who genuinely don't want to do it.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 772 ✭✭✭the dark phantom


    I think it was designed to fail.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,644 ✭✭✭✭punisher5112


    My eyes hurt.....

    People choose this as it's easy money and there are unfortunately male and female that actually need it as they have no other way...

    Totally agree regulation and nobody should be made or forced to do it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,175 ✭✭✭✭Rjd2


    I think it was designed to fail.

    The incredibly depressing thing for those who do this work, is there no real demand for the law to be reversed. Its not a left v right thing as I have heard plenty of bile from those on the left who brag about how progressive they are when discussing prostitutes.

    You might get someone like Clare Daly who will protest the law, but for the main parties it doesn't mean jack ****.

    It obviously hurts there cause when so many sex workers have to remain Anonymous and can't really go on tv to argue their point.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,761 ✭✭✭Donnielighto


    Well do we want it legalized?

    Whatever laws you implement there will always be some broken so the fact that a law is being broken isn't an argument to do away with it.

    I don't think prostitution should be legal to be honest.


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  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    Well do we want it legalized?

    I see no reason why not to be honest.
    Whatever laws you implement there will always be some broken so the fact that a law is being broken isn't an argument to do away with it.

    I agree to a point. A law being broken is not alone a reason to do away with that law.

    However if it is legal to see sex but not legal to buy it - then the issue is not _just_ that the law is being broken. The issue is that that situation ensures that the people selling sex legally - have a consumer base of people who are happy to break the law.

    If our goal is the well being and safety of sex workers then surely the worst first step in that fight is making sure that their consumer base are law breakers rather than law abiding citizens from the outset?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,809 ✭✭✭Hector Savage


    Rjd2 wrote: »
    Its a seedy business and there is definitely a trafficked element which must be confronted, but there are people who choose this work and therefore we must make them the priority. The current law from what I seen has done them no favors and has made their job harder and seems to have gone down poorly with
    those who opposed it.


    I always find it depressing/amusing those incredibly vocal feminists when it comes to abortion always scream " my body my choice",,, but don't adopt the same logic regarding prostitution.

    It needs to be legalised, taxed and yes we can still help those who genuinely don't want to do it.

    Of course not - they hate men!
    They are staunchly against sex robots too, which to me can end so much exploitation - that just prooves it that this modern feminism is all about a pathological hatred of men - particularly white straight men, the last group that is ok to say/do anything against and get away with.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,912 ✭✭✭ArchXStanton


    If you ask me its men that are being exploited. prostitution is just another way women have of extracting money from men, these "escorts" can make up to €2000 a day(tax free) and live lavish lifestyles jetting around the place on holiday in designer gear, is there a trafficked element? Maybe in places like Eastern Europe I'm sure there is but the vast majority are here of their own choice and hop between countries on tour and even have their own websites, put it this way, there ain't too many women out here paying for sex..


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,230 ✭✭✭jaxxx


    If you ask me its men that are being exploited. prostitution is just another way women have of extracting money from men, these "escorts" can make up to €2000 a day(tax free) and live lavish lifestyles jetting around the place on holiday in designer gear, is there a trafficked element? Maybe in places like Eastern Europe I'm sure there is but the vast majority are here of their own choice and hop between countries on tour and even have their own websites, put it this way, there ain't too many women out here paying for sex..


    And you base these insane assumptions on what facts? What is your source for these claims? Or are you fabricating them out of your own behind to try and support your own bigoted views? Talk about sheer ignorance, this is highly insulting to both sex workers and victims of enforced slavery. How dare you. If all you're here for is to insult sex workers or victims of human trafficking then kindly refrain from posting in this thread. The mere fact that you question if trafficking even exists in this country is a disgrace. I created this thread for constructive discussion on an important issue, and your post has made absolutely no attempts at that.


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