This is such a complicated issue but I have to argue that **yes, it is wrong to pay for sex**. And I argue this for the sake of the: • [68% of prostitutes](https://www.academia.edu/8888508/Prostitution_Harms_Women_Even_if_Legalized_or_Decriminalized) that experience PTSD. • [80% of prostitutes](https://sex-crimes.laws.com/prostitution/prostitution-statistics) that say they wish to get out of prostitution. • [40% of prostitutes](https://sex-crimes.laws.com/prostitution/prostitution-statistics) that are former child prostitutes who were illegally forced into prostitution through human trafficking. • [60% percent of children](https://sex-crimes.laws.com/prostitution/prostitution-statistics) who ran away from home and had to become prostitutes for some period of time to survive. • [58% of American prostitutes](https://sex-crimes.laws.com/prostitution/prostitution-statistics) who suffered assault at the hands of their clients.

**I cannot morally get on board with the argument that it is right to pay for sex.** • This statement uncovers a _really_ complex and highly controversial debate about sex work and its repercussions. In my opinion, the sex industry is exploitative and undermines the work of so many feminists to allow women to be more than just their bodies. • Women are intelligent, ambitious, strong, successful, educated, independent beings with the ability and knowledge to achieve anything they want to. So, why must they be reduced to their physical and sexual attributes. • The concept of paying for sex, is contextually difficult to defend. The _‘sale of sex’_ facilitates the awful and deeply abominable sex trafficking of often underaged girls; this is particularly prevalent in underdeveloped countries. The fact that there is a demand for sex work, means it is exploited and abused such that a lot of the time it isn’t consensual. This creates a huge imbalance and increases sexual violence towards women - especially low-income women who often feel they have no choice but to financially depend on this kind of work. • There is also evidence to suggest that prostitution can cause long-term psychological damage which some have claimed [facilitates sexual violence](https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/prostitution-sexual-violence) against women. • This is an extremely controversial debate and is highly emotional. I’m not going to pretend I understand the depths of prostitution nor have read widely on the case _for_ sex work. But at first glance of the statement, combined with my personal morals and attitudes on the subject, I don’t think that sex is something that should be paid for.

**Some call for sex-care to help the disabled find intimacy** - There are several [studies](https://www.apa.org/monitor/2017/12/seeking-intimacy) that indicate that the experience of sexuality and intimacy contributes to an increased standard of living and reduces depression and loneliness. - As a result of this, there are some [calls](https://dutchreview.com/culture/relationships/sex-care-in-the-netherlands-helping-the-disabled-find-intimacy/) for paid sexual services to be available to those with disabilities who are otherwise unable to experience this. - It is argued this is particularly important for those with diabilities where individuals are unable to satisfy themselves. - As sex becomes less taboo, it is being accepted that sex care should be considered a normal and even essential part of life, and disabled people can be argued to have a right to this. - [The Netherlands](https://dutchreview.com/culture/relationships/sex-care-in-the-netherlands-helping-the-disabled-find-intimacy/) in particular has been working towards a scheme which considers these factors: "The goal of sex care is to provide intimacy and sex to disabled people and also help get rid of the mentality that it’s “weird” for disabled people to be interested in sex or even want to engage in sexual relations with other people. The result of this is an increased standard of living or also improved quality of life, and an improved sense of well-being for disabled persons." - There are ["sexual advocates"](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/apr/10/sex-workers-disabled-people) available to discuss needs and prevent weak agency, exploitation and corruption.

**Paying for sex is a moral issue** • To some degree, most people perceive sex as a [moral issue](https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/darwin-eternity/201307/why-does-morality-focus-so-much-sex). Most cultures throughout human history have had specific social rules about sex which have fluctuated over the years, but linger today. Paying for sex from sex workers, in person and now online, has always been taboo and regarded as a moral concern. • Many object to others paying for sex because they believe that both the buying and selling of it is immoral. In many religions, such as Islam and Christianity, sex is often considered a [sacred act](https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0003122412458672) exclusive to married couples. • Others disapprove of paying for sex because they think that the sex industry is dangerous and takes advantage of vulnerable people. Many condemn the sex industry for its prevalence of [violence](http://sro.sussex.ac.uk/id/eprint/26912/1/Phipps_VAWchapter.pdf) and occasions of [sex trafficking](http://www.endslaverynow.org/learn/slavery-today/sex-trafficking). • Many believe that paying for sex enforces gender-based power dynamics because the majority of people who pay for sex are men and the [majority of sex workers are women](https://prostitutescollective.net/facts-about-sex-work-sheet/). • However, many others argue that there is nothing immoral about paying for sex [if it is consensual and done so safely](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5529480/). Many choose to become sex workers, find their work fulfilling, and appreciate their clients’ custom.