SOCIAL: PROPOSED POLICY CHANGES/ PROSTITUTION

SUBJECT:  PROSTITUTION

PURPOSE:  This briefing note is a recommendation for changes in policy pertaining to prostitution.
ISSUE:  There is too much regulation on the matter of prostitution.  

Background:


Prostitution is the business in engaging in sexual activities in exchange for monetary compensation.  A person who works in this field is referred to as a prostitute or a sex worker.  Through government regulations it is illegal to purchase or advertise sexual services and it is also illegal to live off the material benefits from sex work.  In Canada as well it is it is illegal to solicit in public areas.  What is legal however is the fact that these sex workers can sell sexual services.  Sex workers have made long strides to promote the legalization of prostitution which is why the conservative government in 2014 made it legal for sex workers to sell their labor.  Although it is legal, sex workers are at a great risk for abuse and violence.  This is because they are independent workers.  There have been attempts by the International Union of Sex Workers to regulate the profession however, they lack the recognition of the government.  The aim of this union is to campaign for human, civil and labor rights for those who work in the industry.    In order to progress this profession, the government needs to recognize this regulatory body.  Not only that, they also need to allow places in the community where such work could be fulfilled.  Currently, crime and violence are intertwined with prostitution.  These people are at high risk for drug addictions and sexually transmitted diseases.  The reason for this is because the government has not recognized a regulatory body in which this work can be regulated nor have they allowed places to operate in which these services can be provided.  There should be brothels which are licensed by public health.  The government needs to reduce crime by allowing such work to be provided in these brothels so that crime wont be centralized in residential neighborhoods.  With the licensing of brothels the government can keep a watchful eye on these places and their workers.  


Considerations:


Researchers at UCLA and Baylor made a significant finding that when Rhode Island legislature inadvertently decriminalized indoor prostitution, the state saw a reduction in reported rapes and a similar decline in gonorrhea.  In the Netherlands there are places called tippelzones where sex workers could work legally, the researchers at the Public Research Institute claim similar findings.  They report that rape and sexual abuse declined by 30 to 40% in the first two years after these zones were opened.  They cite that these findings are a result of the regulation involved and increase police monitoring of these zones.  These findings are to be published in the American Economic Journal.  Moreover, these same researchers found a 25% reduction in drug related crimes within that two year period.  Without these zones it is expected that prostitution would become displaced and it would be increasingly difficult to monitor activity.


Options:  


Option 1:  Licensed brothels and periodic health examinations, age of majority.


This option is not very feasible.  The government would have to create policies pertaining to the regulation of such brothels.  They would also have to adjust health authority regulations.  Municipal police forces would have to patrol these proposed brothels increasingly; however, it is expected that this option will have the greatest effect in reducing crime.  This option gives people autonomy in that they can and are free to do what they will with their bodies.  This gives people access to sex workers and the services they provide.  This option is very sustainable as it will reduce the incidents of sexual transmitted diseases.  This evidently will relate to reduced medical costs for the tax payer. Public support could be high for such option however, it remains to be seen how they would react to such option.


Option 2:  Purchasing of sexual service legalized.


Sex workers in Canada are placed in a very precarious situation.  The selling of sex work is legal but the purchasing of it is criminalized.  This causes confusion.  The government in their attempt to do this is most likely looking to charge sexual predators.  This situation keeps the crime level high.  It also displaces crime to residential areas as there is no zone in which these services can be legally provided.  Rates of sexual abuse and violence will remain unchanged if the purchasing of sex work remains illegal.  Legalizing the purchase of sex work can be a pathway to a more regulated prostitution.  Regulatory bodies can mobilize if the purchasing of sex work becomes legal.  This option is the most feasible of all option available.  It is just a matter of the government legalizing the purchase.  This will increase accessibility of sexual service.  There is likely to be low public support of this option as this option directly targets sexual predators.  Therefore, people will opt to choose to keep the status quo in favor of protecting the safety of the community.  This option can be used as a leeway to legalized licensed brothels.  


Option 3:  Status quo.


This option is the most feasible however, crime rates will remain unaltered.  The benefit of this option however, are that authorities could charge sexual predators.  Through this, the community would be more safe.  There is high public support to keep the status quo as it ensures the security of communities.  This option takes away people autonomy and ensures that they fall in line with the law.  The concern here is the matter of equity.  Are prostitutes receiving it?  The answer is no because they are placed in the current situation where it is legal to sell but illegal to purchase.  Therefore, these sex workers live in poverty stricken conditions.  Their means of making money is severely being impacted as a result of the current state of affairs.


Recommendation:


Option two is recommended.