Abstract
This paper discusses how the decriminalization of prostitution in Toronto may be advantageous for sex workers. It states that although women are supposedly equal in Canada, somehow thousands of Canadian women still end up in sex work - a line of work in which they are at risk of violence, diseases and death. The paper argues that laws meant to protect society actually victimize people who are already at the bottom rung of society - marginalized, poor women - as well as a smaller group of male and transsexual prostitutes, and even some children. Law enforcers and the public frequently launch campaigns aimed at removing sex workers altogether - such as closing brothels and massage parlors. This does not remove sex workers - it merely makes them less safe. The paper concludes that protecting the rights of sex workers and decriminalizing prostitution will help to protect their safety and welfare.

From the Paper
"The lives of sex workers are fraught with risks and threats. For example, by the very nature of their work, they are at risk of contracting a range of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV, which is usually terminal. One might argue that sex workers should protect themselves by practicing safe sex. However, the reality is that these people are in a very disempowered position in society, and consequently, they are very often not in a position to insist on safe sex practices. A key part of their disempowerment is that they have little recourse to the law. In other words, if they are forced to have unsafe sex, they do not feel safe in laying a charge with the police. This is because their line of work is circumscribed by laws that aim to end prostitution, and therefore they do not feel safe phoning the police. Thus, one of the key reasons why the legal system pertaining to sex work should be changed is that this would facilitate equal rights to police protection for sex workers - who desperately need such protection."

Tags:sex workers, crime legal legalization prostitute prejudice victimization violence

Abstract
This paper argues that the U.S. should decriminalize prostitution.

Tags:decriminalize, prostitution

Abstract
The paper claims that the decriminalization of prostitution involves a great deal of variables that can not only improve public health, but also stave off a misogynistic set of legal loopholes that place women outside of the law. The paper contends that abuse, murder, and sexual aggression are more easily affected under the current deregulation for a trade that is only growing more and more every year. The paper explains that in this manner, decriminalization seeks to help provide women the right or the legal identity to be able to do as they wish with their bodies.

Tags:law, prostitution, legal

Abstract
This paper looks at the various reasons that prostitution has traditionally been illegal in western society. The paper finds that the religious and moralistic arguments have lost their force but that the confluence of oppression and drugs makes the outright legalization of prostitution unworkable.

From the Paper
"Prostitution is commonly referred to as the world's oldest profession, and records of many cultures throughout recorded history bear this out (see, e.g., Durant, 1939; Durant, 1944; Durant, 1950; Durant, 1953; Gilfoyle, 1991). While prostitution has been common throughout history, societies have responded to it in different ways, from attempting to suppress it to giving it a revered status (Durant, 1939; Durant, 1944). Currently in the United States the general outlook is that prostitution is an evil to be suppressed. In all states except Nevada, prostitution is at least..."

Tags:prostitution, decriminalization, drugs

Abstract
This paper argues that prostitution should be decriminalized. The paper first examines and analyzes the arguments both for and against decriminalization of prostitution and then makes an argument in favor of decriminalizing prostitution by suggesting that it is a victimless crime. The paper concludes that prostitution should be decriminalized and that the enormous sums allocated to prosecuting prostitutes and associated criminals could then instead be better used to rehabilitate those individuals and help them build better lives.

From the Paper
"Thus the argument over whether prostitution should remain illegal or whether it should be decriminalized or made lawful, focuses principally on ethical and realistic considerations. Those opposed to legalized prostitution tend to underscore the horrors associated with the profession. They point to the trafficking in women and children, and the physical, sexual, and economic abuse of these same individuals. Prostitutes are thought to engage in a profession so reprehensible that no person would possibly choose to participate in it unless forced to do so by the most extremely adverse of circumstances. Law enforcement has failed to make much of a dent in prostitution despite an enormous amount of time, effort, and money. In fact, high-ranking officials, such as Governor Eliot Spitzer of New York have made their names breaking up prostitution rings while at the same time patronizing prostitutes themselves. The conflict reveals the very real conflict between desire and reality. Prostitution if it is decriminalized and kept apart from other obviously criminal activity is a consensual and victimless act."

Tags:trafficking, victim, abuse, sex

Abstract
This paper discusses the potential benefits to the United States that would come with the decriminalization of prostitution. It describes the potential profits from taxes and commerce that would be created by brothels and how the streets would be rid of crime and raise the property values of surrounding areas. The paper also suggests that the regulation of prostitution by the government would lower the infection rate of sex workers by testing for diseases and prohibiting the use of drugs.

From the Paper
"Removing prostitutes from the street and placing them in brothels will remove an element of crime that ranges from petty theft to capital murder. Many prostitutes are drug addicts that attract a criminal element that lowers the property value of an area. The first female serial killer to be executed, Aileen 'Lee' Carol Wuornos, was a drug addicted prostitute. Street prostitution causes gentrification in the area that these prostitutes begin to operate, by bringing not only the crimes committed by the prostitutes but by the criminal element that tends to operate in the same area. Placing brothels in these areas with an increased police presence funded by the revenues attained by the brothel would raise property values in an otherwise condemned area and increase the safety for those too porr to move out of the area. The decrease of customers and increase of police presence would also remove the drugs from the area and the criminal element that is so often associated with the use of drugs. The decrease of drug use in these areas would create a decrease in profits for drug smugglers and force these criminals to seek out new markets."

Tags:brothel, STD, drugs

Abstract
This paper discusses the issues and problems involved in decriminalizing prostitution with a resolution to help deal with the issue in the absence of decriminalization. It also looks at whether decriminalization will consign women to greater abuse and the negative impact on the safety of prostitutes.

From the Paper
"Prostitution is often called a necessary evil primarily because it has always existed and still does in all societies. Regardless of this fact, the issue of decriminalizing prostitution creates as much controversy and debate ..."

Tags:sex, women's rights, abuse, legislation, policymaking, religious right, interest groups

Abstract
This paper is a voluminous consideration of the subject of prostitution reviewing its history, the reasons why it is classified as a crime in modern society, and the various arguments that have recently been raised for the possible relaxation of the various laws against it. This paper reflects extraordinarily intense research, shown by the list of references 20 pages long.

From the Paper
"This study considers the current legal status of prostitution, weighing the arguments concerning its possible legalization or decriminalization. The study begins with a review of the history of the legal status of prostitution. It considers the legal arguments that prostitution laws must be overturned and finds these arguments wanting. It reviews claims for..."

Tags:prostitution, decriminalization, prostitutes

Abstract
This paper discusses the need for the decriminalization or legalization of prostitution in the United States for the benefit of both sex workers and average citizens. It provides an analysis of legal prostitution as compared to illegal prostitution and the concept of privacy rights in regards to the sale of one's own body. It also discusses the impact of religion on the legislative process.

From the Paper
"The issue of prostitution in the United States is one that has been constantly debated throughout the years. Those who wish prostitution to remain illegal claim that prostitution is harmful to society both morally and physically. Supporters of decriminalization and legalization, on the other hand, feel that prostitution is a harmless private act or a "victimless crime." While matters of sexuality will always be debated and are deep personal choices of all individuals, the benefits of doing away with the archaic prohibition of "the world's oldest profession" are clear. When one analyzes the issue from a moral standpoint, the argument comes down to the common goal of any system of ethics, which is a society in which individuals do the greatest good for themselves and others in any manner of their choosing so long as they do not harm any others. One must ask then, which system provides the greatest good while doing the least harm? The system of prohibition in which a holier-than-thou attitude creates second-class citizens, ignores the problems of prostitution altogether (until said problems affect "normal" citizens), and denies individuals a way to earn a living, or the system of legalization which gives dignity to sex workers, gives them freedom and resources to practice their business in the safest and healthiest ways possible, and participate in a tradition that has been practiced in private since the earliest times of civilization? Clearly, the legalization of prostitution would be an action of great moral value in that it would provide sex workers with the freedom to control their own bodies, achieve legal equality with the rest of society, access healthcare and legal services as a normal American citizen, and receive the same acceptance of any other human being in functioning society."

Tags:america, crime, criminal, debate, decriminalization, equal, ethics, illegal, law, legal, legislation, moral, morality, morals, nevada, privacy, private, prostitute, reno, rights, sex, sexuality, society, states, united, vegas, worker, workers

Abstract
At present in Canada, prostitution between fully informed and consenting adults is effectively illegal due to a number of laws which together make it impossible for prostitutes to safely go about their business. For example, while prostitution is not illegal per se, it is illegal to negotiate to sell sex, thus making it impossible to sell sex without breaking the law in some way.

From the Paper
Prostitution between fully informed and consenting adults should be decriminalized and regulated At present in Canada, prostitution between fully informed and consenting adults is effectively illegal due to a number of laws which together make it impossible for prostitutes to safely go about their business. For example, while prostitution is not illegal per se, it is illegal to negotiate to sell sex, thus making it impossible to sell sex without breaking the law in some way. In this essay it is argued that this situation should be changed, and that prostitution between fully informed and consenting adults should be decriminalized and regulated. This would

Tags:prostitution, legalize, regulate