Speaking of prostitution

[Crux]

Arguments and counter-arguments (http://www.kvinnofronten.nu/eng/speaking-of-prostitution.htm)

[Brandon's Impotent Rage]

I personally find absolutely nothing 'immoral' about prostitution. Obviously, being a socialist I have a problem with a person being forced to sell one's labor in order to live, but in my view prostitution is no less a 'legitimate' occupation than any other in the capitalist system.

In essence, prostitution is nothing more than consensual sex between two people, only with a fee. If two consenting adults wish to be involved in such behavior, then so be it.

I believe that, as socialists, we should openly agitate for the rights of sex workers all over the world. In my view, that includes making prostitution legal.

[Yet_Another_Boring_Marxist]

First of all, I admit that this isn't a substantial engagement with the issue at hand.

But I would say that the problem with prostitution is two fold. On one hand it is a form of alienated labor that produces no real use value for society as a whole. It isn't socially necessary that a woman should risk starvation and destitution on the streets for the sake of a man's sexual pleasure.

The second reason is that prostitution represents a chauvinistic force that dis empowers woman. It is a vechical for the violent harm of woman and represents a way for men to "get around" having a relationship with a woman in order to just have sex with one. Prostitution is a completely anti-woman enterprise and ought to end. But the sad fact is that it is here and that as of now we should focus on helping prostitutes instead of driving them into poverty. So I am for legalization. However I do not accept any form of legalization that legalizes the "pimp" role and any legalization of the "pimp" is retrograde rather than progressive. There is no need for pimps. Any prostitution should be legalized on a cooperative framework rather than in it's presently existing structure.

What we need is sexual liberation. Legalizing prostitution isn't a part of sexual liberation. But legalizing it would bring it out of the shadows and give us a chance to end it. And that definitely would be a step foward.

[Brandon's Impotent Rage]

First of all, I admit that this isn't a substantial engagement with the issue at hand.

But I would say that the problem with prostitution is two fold. On one hand it is a form of alienated labor that produces no real use value for society as a whole. It isn't socially necessary that a woman should risk starvation and destitution on the streets for the sake of a man's sexual pleasure.

The second reason is that prostitution represents a chauvinistic force that dis empowers woman. It is a vechical for the violent harm of woman and represents a way for men to "get around" having a relationship with a woman in order to just have sex with one. Prostitution is a completely anti-woman enterprise and ought to end. But the sad fact is that it is here and that as of now we should focus on helping prostitutes instead of driving them into poverty. So I am for legalization. However I do not accept any form of legalization that legalizes the "pimp" role and any legalization of the "pimp" is retrograde rather than progressive. There is no need for pimps. Any prostitution should be legalized on a cooperative framework rather than in it's presently existing structure.

What we need is sexual liberation. Legalizing prostitution isn't a part of sexual liberation. But legalizing it would bring it out of the shadows and give us a chance to end it. And that definitely would be a step foward.

Pretty much what I said. I support legalization because, on top of having a huge problem with the prejudice that the bourgeoisie have against sex workers (what, so because a woman is a prostitute that automatically makes her a bad person?).....I believe that allowing the prostitution trade legally will also allow prostitutes to legally form unions.

I also agree that pimps are utter scum. Your average pimp is one of the most bourgeoisie figures on the planet: They make all of the money but do NONE of the actual labor. Hell, their entire business model is based entirely around the use of violence and intimidation. Pimps are basically operating a huge 'protection' racket, only with prostitutes instead of a group of businesses.

[blake 3:17]

@Crux- why?

These are my peeps: www.facebook.com/maggies.to?fref=ts

Trafficking issues is all fucked up, but that's imperialism.

This is a good call and most importantly "My work with women across many countries has persuaded me that as long as sex work is criminalized, directly or indirectly, women (and men) engaged in sex work are extremely vulnerable to violence and other human rights abuses.":



It’s time for Canada to abolish criminal laws against sex workers

Françoise Girard
Published Tuesday, May. 28, 2013 07:22AM EDT
Last updated Tuesday, May. 28, 2013 07:22AM EDT

On June 13, the Supreme Court of Canada will hear arguments in Bedford v. Canada, a landmark case that challenges the criminalization of sex work. The three sex workers involved argue that Canada’s Criminal Code violates their human rights. As the head of a leading international women’s health and rights organization and a Canadian jurist, I agree. My work with women across many countries has persuaded me that as long as sex work is criminalized, directly or indirectly, women (and men) engaged in sex work are extremely vulnerable to violence and other human rights abuses.

In Canada, consenting adults can legally exchange sex for money or other valuables. Yet, while prostitution is legal, virtually every activity related to it is criminalized. Canada’s Criminal Code makes it illegal for sex workers, their clients, and third parties to communicate about the exchange of sex for money in a public place, including a vehicle, to use, rent, or own indoor workspaces, or to “live on the avails” of prostitution. What this means in practice is that sex workers cannot take basic measures to screen their clients, work indoors in a safe, familiar place, or hire drivers or security personnel to protect them. It also threatens spouses or live-in partners who share expenses with sex workers.

International health and human rights experts – including UNAIDS , the World Health Organization , the UN Special Rapporteur on Health , and the Global Commission on HIV and the Law – have concluded that criminal laws and penalties against sex work threaten the health and human rights of sex workers, and have advocated for their repeal. These experts have also found that laws criminalizing activities associated with sex work invite police harassment and violence and push sex work underground, where it is harder to negotiate safer conditions.

Decriminalization is consistent with Canada’s legal obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). The UN Committee responsible for monitoring state compliance with CEDAW has expressed concern about police harassment of women sex workers, and about their health, security, working conditions, and privacy. It has urged states to “ [a]dopt measures aimed at preventing discrimination against sex workers and ensure that legislation on their right to safe working conditions is guaranteed at national and local levels .”

The Canadian Parliamentary Sub-Committee on Prostitution Laws and the Oppal Commission Inquiry into the police mishandling of the serial murders of sex workers in British Columbia have also found that laws that criminalize sex work place sex workers at increased risk of violence. As Commissioner Wally Oppal stated: “I conclude that there is a clear correlation between law enforcement strategies of displacement and containment in the period leading up to and during my terms of reference, and increased violence against prostitutes.”

Criminalization disproportionately affects street-based sex workers, who represent 93 to 95 per cent of those arrested in Canada. These are often the most marginalized sex workers, Aboriginal or otherwise racialized women or transgender persons, often homeless, disabled, or struggling with addiction. As the trial court in the Bedford case observed, criminalizing either sex workers or clients for the offense of “communicating” forces sex workers “to forego screening customers at an early and crucial stage of the transaction,” putting them at an increased risk of violence.

These laws also impede sex workers’ access to basic health and social services, and exacerbate HIV risk in many ways, including by making sex workers or sex work establishments reluctant to carry condoms or information on using them because condoms are often used by the police as evidence of prostitution.

The Canadian Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms is an international model for the protection of human rights, including the rights to life, security, liberty, and equality. Decriminalizing sex work would be an important step toward making this model work for Canada’s most marginalized individuals, and an essential step toward ensuring their inclusion as full citizens.

Françoise Girard is President of the International Women’s Health Coalition and a Canadian jurist.

[tuwix]

Many leftist and especially feminist movement are against prostitution. But they just ignore fact that such prohibitions are irrelevant. Prohibited or not it will happen. And this is similiar case to drugs.

[Crux]

That's interesting. But if you recall the OP is in fact not arguing that women stuck in the sex industry should be treated as criminals or arrested. Johns and pimps on the other hand...seriously maybe I am missing something but I don't see any post here not addressed in the OP.