(no subject)

[cheekbones3]

So, they're proposing a complete ban on prostitution (or a ban on people paying for sex) as a method of restricting human trafficking. Forgive me for being stupid but isn't it the case that:
 
1) Many aspects of (and relating to) prostitution are already illegal, although tolerated in many areas. Does this mean complete zero tolerance of prostitution?
2) Human trafficking and slavery is already illegal.
3) Banning activities and sources of income that are already effectively covert and illegal won't be effective. Most people using non-consenting prostitutes will already know that they are financing criminals, so this criminalisation isn't going to stop them.
4) Even though paying for sex isn't illegal right now, it is generally taboo and not something most people publicise anyway.
5) Is there any benefit in criminalising a lot of consenting adults?
6) All the usual arguments about reduction in safety for prostitutes.
6) Duh!
 
Thoughts?

Comments

[zz]

the govt/law shouldn't be involved in anything involving informed consenting adults.

as you say, there are already laws to deal with slavery etc. if prostitution/brothels were legal, and even regulated, the quality of service would distinguish them from trafficking operations, reducing their profitability and making them easier to shut down. if trafficking victims were supported to some extent for months/a year, rather than treated like illegal immigrants, they might have better chances of getting away from their "owners".

speaking of sex and consent, i also really don't understand the drunk!=consent thing. apart from it being a main way people hook up these days, and possibly back to when alcohol was invented, someone else mentioned the inevitable "oh i was very drunk last night and now regret shagging that person" rape allegations, and that if both people were wasted, it'll *always* be the bloke that gets it in the neck.

[cheekbones3.livejournal.com]

First two paragraphs - I completely agree (caveats about mental illness notwithstanding). Third paragraph - there is always a lot of trust involved, and when one or other person in the situation breaks that trust, it opens a world of pain (I paraphrase some wrestler or other probably).