Prostitution is going to happen whether legal or not. Under legal supervision prostitutes would be more likely to approach the police for help in life threatening situations knowing they are not doing anything which could get them in legal trouble. In June 2003, New Zealand legalised prostitution. Since then, prostitutes in the country have reported feeling more comfortable seeking police help when hurt or threatened by a client. A study by The Christchurch School of Medicine found the legalisation of prostitution provided sex workers ‘employment, legal and health rights.’[1] For many desperate women, sex work is the only way to support themselves and their families. The legalisation of prostitution would not only better the situation of prostitutes themselves, but many clients of prostitutes also struggle to have sex due to: being handicapped, having a sexually transmitted disease and bad marriages. Sex is a normal and healthy part of life which everyone should experience, yet many struggle to find someone who wants to have sex with them. The benefits of sex include (but are not limited to): better heart health, stress relief and better self- image. Everyone should have a way to experience such benefits. Sociologists Weisner argues prostitutes aid their clients with sex and companionship. [2] [1] https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/politics/a20067359/why-prostitution-should-be-legal/ [2] https://open.lib.umn.edu/socialproblems/chapter/9-4-prostitution/

**TL;DR - Legalizing prostitution can cause more harm than good, particularly since it’s more than just about ensuring that women are protected or receive the best possible assistance possible. By legalizing prostitution, we run the risk of facing an even bigger issue for humanity in the future. That is, it will eventually become part of our culture and no one will see anything wrong with a “legalized prostitution industry.”** I am strongly opposed towards this opinion not only with regards to the negative stereotypes and stigma associated with it. No, my disagreement with this opinion goes far beyond this. I’m considering the possibility of whether or not legalizing prostitution (in more countries globally) can really be viewed as a viable solution? What are the overall implications for the future in the long run? And also, would legalizing it help towards alleviating some of the negative stereotypes and stigma associated with it? While I know that the general consensus regarding prostitution is negative – this includes the ongoing debate surrounding its legalization, I do not believe that this is what makes it such a controversial topic. What makes this topic so significant, is what lies at the very heart of this subject matter. And that is, that there is an issue between the moral and ethical aspect versus the law(s) or rules of society. This is true, especially since issues regarding morality and ethics will always be relevant and highly debatable topics - they are a way of life and as such cannot be separated from everyday life. Consequently, while we there always seems to be a solid divide between the pros and cons where this issue is concerned, I would like to take a unique approach by not only focusing on the cons. Oh, I’ll briefly mention the cons of course, but I believe that more attention should be paid to the pros. Especially as they are not as solution-orientated as people seem to think they are. That is to say, the risks are far, far greater than the benefits. And this is a very important part of why I believe the legalization of prostitution would not benefit any of us in the future. According to theperspective.com, there are more than 40 million prostitutes worldwide and between one and two million prostitutes in the US alone today. Apparently, this is reason enough for countries around the world to have laws governing it. I disagree, as society (most especially its people) are not to be guided by just the laws/rules of society but by our moral compass too. Furthermore, when looking at the cons this website provides for this argument, the “usual” sort of facts are mentioned. First, that the legalization of prostitution will not curb human trafficking. This is in fact true as even though the Netherlands legalized it in 1988, there are still illegal brothels and prostitutes are still suffering abuse at the hands of their pimps. Second, that the act of prostitution reduces people to mere commodities in that this intimate act which goes beyond physical intimacy is being used as a tool for financial purposes. And lastly, that prostitution promotes degrading attitudes toward women, and invites violence against them. While I do not support prostitution, no person has the right to harm or violate (especially physically) the next person. Also, one’s job does not define who one is – you are more than your job. You’re a whole person too and being a prostitute does not make you any less. Now, when looking at the pros for this topic, perspective.com had the following to say: First, legalizing prostitution would circumvent (avoid) the most dangerous aspects of prostitution. And while I will admit there are other positives, such as in Netherlands where prostitutes were granted access to social security and public health care. Or in India, where India’s union of sex workers improved prostitutes’ financial security by teaching them how to identify counterfeit bills. This is not enough in this instance. Furthermore, sexually transmitted infections were also shown to be statistically lower in areas where prostitution was legalized. For example, in rural Nevada where prostitution is legal (and condoms and regular HIV tests mandatory), there hasn’t been a single case of HIV/AIDS diagnosed for a registered sex worker since 1986. This might have been more admirable if it were under the “right” circumstances. Second, legalizing prostitution can harness the sex industry’s potential to contribute to society. The example that it uses here, is to compare prostitution to marijuana. Providing evidence of how the legalization of marijuana (formerly an illicit trade) “has done wonders for economic and social rejuvenation in Colorado.” Especially, as it’s being used to do good by donating it to various systems, institutions, charities, etc. It goes on to say, “Imagine how different prostitution would seem if a portion of its proceeds went to providing child-care support for working parents, or to supplement medical research that helps to cure disease, or to help fund drug rehabilitation programs.” I will admit, this is a noble cause but risky too. However, as long as it’s done with the right intentions and there is transparency with the whole process, then I see no reason it should be seen in a negative light. And lastly, if prostitution were to be legalized it would reflect the victimless nature of consensual prostitution. With regards to this, evidence has been provided via the internet of sex worker testimonials where it has been confirmed that some prostitutes/sex workers find satisfaction from a career in sex – taking into consideration those who were those who were forced into prostitution and those who were not. Some practitioners and customers even ask the question: “Why isn’t prostitution simply viewed as a normal business transaction?” It cannot be viewed as a normal transaction in my opinion mainly because prostitution is exploitation on a very basic human level. This then leads me to asking, what's happening to our moral compass? What’s more, the above mentioned “solutions” are not “real” or proper solutions to this prostitution problem. It’s not even a quick fix. It’s almost comparable to reinforcing bad behavior! Additionally, Ethics and morality might be abstract concepts but we see it being put into practice on a daily basis no matter how small or big a topic is – some of us just don’t realize it. Particularly, since ethics concerns and includes discussing human welfare and what we can do to maximize the good in people’s lives. Put plainly, the legalizing of prostitution will do us more harm than good, and I am of the opinion that when the pros outweigh the cons in a situation (any situation), then it’s time to start looking for a better alternative. In this case the alternative would be to prohibit prostitution in any way, shape or form and to look towards better support structures so that people don’t turn to prostitution in the first place! Should prostitution be legalized? https://www.theperspective.com/debates/living/should-prostitution-be-legalized/ [accessed February 1, 2021].

Turn it into an industry. An industry where prostitutes are treated with dignity. Put these pimps out of work.

**TL;DR: We should not legitimise prostitution by making it legal as it is a business built upon unequal power dynamics. Legalising it will not necessarily make it a safer industry either.** - To start with, prostitution always involves the exchange of sex for money meaning there is an inherent imbalance of power, making it incompatible with a society that promotes free consent. While in other cases we can not always see if coercion, manipulation, or imbalance of power is involved in a sexual relationship from the outside, in the case of prostitution, it is inherent in the definition itself (’the practice or occupation of engaging in sexual activity with someone for payment.’), as workers must engage in sexual activity to support themselves financially. Surely the bar for what constitutes consensual sex is far too low if we are to see prostitution as a morally neutral industry protected by law? While some workers feel that they are under no pressure to remain in the industry and give their consent freely, the fact still remains that the setup of the sex industry is not one designed to support consent and autonomy. - The main argument that prostitution should be legalised is that it makes a trade that will always exist safer. But who is to say that appropriate regulations will really be implemented anyway and that they will work in the interests of workers? As soon as we legalise this business, governments may have reason to look out for the interests of pimps as business owners rather than workers as vulnerable people. To truly hold pimps accountable, we must make sure that procuring (not being a sex worker), remains illegal. Instead of making this industry legal, the government should keep a closer watch on abuse within, and help provide workers with routes out of it. Further fascinating insights about the ways in which legalising prostitution does not make the industry safer: https://catwinternational.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Ten-Reasons-for-NOT-Legalizing-Prostitution.pdf

**The illegalization of prostitution is counterproductive and hypocritical.** _Disclaimer:_ All references made within this post pertain to consenting, of age adults. In the past, hot-button topics like prohibition, abortion, and drug use, have struggled in a legal tug of war. Yet, making them illegal heightened the number of challenges each faced. → [_Prohibition_](https://www.pbs.org/kenburns/prohibition/unintended-consequences/) For over a decade, laws restricting/ banning the consumption and sale of alcohol only fueled excessive drinking and abuse. → [_Abortion_](https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/abortion-rates-don-t-drop-when-procedure-outlawed-it-does-ncna1235174) Each year, 50% of abortions take place in an unsafe environment because they are conducted illegally. This results in an estimated 23,000 preventable deaths. → [_Drugs_](https://theconversation.com/history-not-harm-dictates-why-some-drugs-are-legal-and-others-arent-110564) Selective bans on certain drugs in their pure form have led to the manufacture of illegal products that have unknown ingredients, and potency. Pharmaceutical restrictions have been linked to the increased use of fentanyl in the United States. But [outlawing prostitution](https://www.chicagotribune.com/columns/steve-chapman/ct-prostitution-amnesty-international-cindy-mccain-sex-workers-trafficking-rape--20150826-column.html) not only exacerbates the issue, it makes it more dangerous for the individuals utilizing their bodies for monetary gain. Also, the fact that prostitution crosses the legal line, but pornography doesn't, is hypocritical.

I worked with the German police in Hamburg, and met many prostitutes as a result of that work. If we can’t stop prostitution, the German way is the next best thing, with designated safe areas, strong police involvement, health checks and licensing. Pimping is illegal, but brothel landlords are making around 100 euros per day from each woman. Very few women make the large sums that draw them in, but even the most “successful” are emotionally scarred and struggle to form relationships. “Worthiness” is cited. “Why would anyone want to be with me”. German job centres offer sex work as a viable career for job seekers and 1.3 million German women use prostitution to make ends meet. Legalisation would surely see the same conditions in UK. It’s far from ideal, but it is much, much better than the way things are now, with trafficked underage women and girls being exploited, no legal or police protection, links to drug abuse, and violence from pimps.