Violence, Health and Safety

One of the major problems with keeping prostitution illegal or criminal is that it becomes an ideal environment for other crimes to occur. Many prostitutes and other sex workers face an abundance of violence from their clients, pimps and even the police. Because the work they do is considered illegal, sex workers cannot seek assistance from the authorities when they are threatened or assaulted (Highleyman, 149). “Sexual violence is about power”, which can also be said about patriarchy and gendered oppression (“IUSW - Appendix”). The stigma associated with those who exchange sex for money is permission for others to feel justified in the way they are treating them (“Sex-positive”). If prostitution was no longer a criminal offence, workers would be able to seek protection from the law, instead of fearing the justice system.

Some people believe that pornography is dangerous and violent, and may even have heard of pornographic “snuff films” in which the lead actor, usually female, is killed (“Pornography”). There is no proof that any such films actually exist, and many pornography actors truly enjoy their job (McElroy). It is a common misconception that practicing BDSM is violent and can’t truly be enjoyed (Highleyman, 145). Pornography is not inherently violent and can actually lead to reduced sex crimes. “Japan, which is noted for its large output of rape fantasy pornography, has the lowest reported sex crimes rate in the industrialized world” (“Pornography”). Pornography offers a more socially acceptable means of regulating a person’s sexuality than actually raping a person.

Both prostitutes and pornography actors face an increased risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease and therefore should be well educated on the risk and the things they can do to help prevent transmission (“IUSW - Problems”). In fact, research shows that sex workers do not have a higher HIV rate than the general public and it may in fact be lower than the average (“Prostitution”). Sex trade workers should be practicing safe sex, using condoms, lube and dental dams at all times. Testing should be encouraged for all sex workers and each individual should act accordingly based on the test results, in order to protect the health and safety of other workers and clients.



Works Cited:

Highleyman, Liz. “Professional Dominance: Power, Money, and Identity.” Whores and Other Feminists. Ed. Jill Nagle. New York: Routledge, 1997. 145-155.

“IUSW – Recommendations – Appendix 4.” The International Union of Sex Workers. 9 March 2007 http://www.iusw.org/policy/14_app4_abuse.html

“IUSW – Recommendations – Problems.” The International Union of Sex Workers. 9 March 2007 http://www.iusw.org/policy/07_problems.html

McElroy, Wendy. A Feminist Overview of Pornography, Ending in a Defense Thereof. 7 March 2007 http://www.zetetics.com/mac/freeinqu.html

“Pornography.” Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 6 March 2007 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pornography

“Prostitution.” Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 6 March 2007 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prostitution

“Sex-positive feminism.” Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 7 March 2007 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexually_liberal_feminism