Prostitution, or sex work, can be defined as the practice or occupation of engaging in consensual sexual activity with someone in exchange for remuneration, in the form of money, favors, goods, or any other benefit agreed upon by the consenting parties prior to the activity. This is a huge social problem in most countries, and there is little consensus for a solution. Among other issues, prostitution is often linked to gender issues, violence, exploitation, trafficking and immorality. The overall approach to solving this problem has been to attempt to crack down on these activities, often by banning them entirely or partially. I strongly emphasize that policies surrounding prostitution must be centered on the voices of sex workers who are directly affected by these laws, and I argue that these policies must focus more on the freedom and inclusion of these workers and that voluntary sex work must be strongly detached from sex trafficking. In the United States of America, this must be done to ensure that sex workers are treated equally when trying to earn a living, while ensuring adequate protection for everyone involved. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Sex work has been around for millennia; For as long as people have had sexual desires, and for as long as people have known that those desires can be exploited for money and favors, sex work has existed. In American history, sex work became commercialized in the early 19th century, when young men experienced independent lives as soldiers and laborers. Unable to marry, they found sexual comfort in women who sold them access to their bodies. These women found economic opportunity and freedom, and despite its obvious flaws, prostitution was often the most lucrative line of work available to them. Although prostitution is now considered taboo in American society, this was not always the case. In fact, entire towns in the Wild West were centered around brothels, and the women who worked and owned these brothels typically made more money than their customers. Economic freedom allowed these women to be leaders in their communities, and many of them used their influence to improve the lives of urban residents. Among these women were Madam Millie, of New Mexico, who sent local children to college with her own money, and Madam Diamond Jessie Hayman, who financed food and clothing for victims of the 1980 earthquake. San Francisco in 1906. Many of these women were pioneers and incredibly intelligent businesswomen, and their success quickly led the West to usher in political equality and influence between the sexes. In fact, their influence grew so much that in 1869, Wyoming became the first territory to grant women the right to vote and refused to join the Union unless women retained that right: "We can stay outside the Union for 100 years, but we will come with our women.” Why, then, has America become so intolerant of the idea of ​​prostitution? Well, as more and more cities included brothels as part of their thriving urban culture, fears that white women would be forced into the practice led to the "white slavery scare of the 1910s." Progressive reformers usedthe idea that prostitution was inherently oppressive, immoral, and sinful led to the passage of the Mann Act, a federal law that criminalized the transportation of women across state lines for the purposes of "prostitution or debauchery, or any other immoral purpose" (Arkles). Over time, this situation and the sanctity of marriage forced many brothels to close their doors, as many states passed laws to restrict or even ban sex work. Although it was claimed that these measures were taken to protect women, the results of these laws proved otherwise. Criminalization has caused great harm to sex workers. Since criminalization means that sex workers do not have legal protection in their workplace, it has allowed these workplaces to become increasingly unsafe.hostile and unsafe. Conditions have gradually deteriorated and sex workers are raped, abused, beaten, murdered and even stalked every day. Studies have shown that in areas where sex work is criminalized, workers are 7 times more likely to be victims of abuse, and "working prostitutes were nearly 18 times more likely to be murdered than women of the same age and the same race” (Potterat, et al). A study of San Francisco sex workers found that 82 percent had been assaulted and 68 percent raped while working as prostitutes. A higher risk of HIV and STI transmission was calculated among sex workers with experiences related to criminalization. Properly implemented, it is estimated that decriminalization could deter approximately 33-46% of HIV infections over the next 10 years (Potterat, et al). In regions where sex work is heavily criminalized, state oppression of these workers often constitutes a violation of basic human rights. These may include "assault and harassment by police officers, denunciation and humiliation, being denounced by third parties (such as landlords), extortion and blackmail, arrest and arbitrary detention… exploitation and corruption, confiscation of property, denial of child custody…”. The reason these conditions are so abominable is that sex workers are unable to report any crimes, making them easy targets for incels and bullies. Reports show that up to 30% of sex workers have been threatened with violence or experienced violence at the hands of the police. Criminalization further discourages sex workers from reporting crimes they are likely aware of, including trafficking, money laundering and drug trafficking. Sex workers not only fear being incriminated, which could lead to arrest, deportation or worse, but they also fear their future and the safety of their families, who rarely receive adequate protection. Many use these despicable conditions to support the idea that women should just stop working. engage in sex work and find a new profession. This is easier said than done, however, since most of these workers join the industry in search of economic stability and live below the poverty line. Additionally, there are virtually no resources or support groups set up by the government to allow sex workers to leave the profession without incriminating themselves. One of the main aspects of criminalization is that it fuels stigma, not only against sex workersactive, but also against those who have found a way to abandon the profession. By declaring the commercialization of sex immoral and illegal, the law dehumanizes these workers and deprives them of their human rights. Stigmatized people have also been seen as particularly vulnerable to harassment, discrimination, social exclusion, etc. While early laws claimed to uphold women's rights and pledged to protect them from pimps and clients (clients), records prove otherwise. In the United States, approximately 70,000 to 80,000 people are arrested each year for prostitution. Of these, about 70 percent are madams and sex workers, 20 percent are prostitutes and pimps, and only 10 percent are clients. This equates to nine prostitutes/pimps arrested for every john. The facts clearly prove that these laws do not help women; in fact, they gradually empower violent men and give them a whole category of women who can be abused and abused without fear of reprisal. Additionally, these arrests cost American taxpayers nearly $200 million each year. If we legalize this trade, this money could be used to provide safe working conditions for these workers, while allowing them to become legally employed, tax-paying citizens. This would not only stimulate the economy, but also lift these workers off the poverty line themselves. It would be a grave injustice to ignore the plight of trafficking victims. So we need to focus on how to help them. I agree that human trafficking is a problem that needs to be resolved as quickly as possible, but I reject the idea that a blanket ban on sex work is the solution. Bringing trafficking victims together with consensual sex workers and seeking a solution that treats both equally not only harms the sex workers, but sabotage also provides a chance for freedom for victims. Take for example the case of Tina Frundt. Frundt was just 13 years old when a man known as “Tiger” began grooming her for exploitation. He was about 15 years older than her and easily manipulated her out of state. Tina was forced into prostitution and was subjected to physical and mental abuse. He constantly violently intimidated her and prevented her from escaping by isolating her from help and threatening her with prison. When Frundt finally managed to escape Tiger, his threats proved true. Tina Frundt was imprisoned and criminalized, even though she was a victim of child sex trafficking. Tina Frundt is just one example among many. Fortunately, Frundt's case helped pass laws to protect child victims of sex trafficking, but there are still no such protections for adults or those who cannot definitively prove that They were victims of sex trafficking when they were minors. It is therefore essential that sex work and sex trafficking are not synonymous and that we, as a society, tell victims of trafficking that there are resources and help available to them, without fear of be arrested. We need to create a different dialogue centered around victims of trafficking, without overshadowing the dialogue with the voices of consensual sex workers. Focusing on sex workers to best protect them in their chosen profession and ensuring that victims of trafficking are rescued and reintegrated into society are issues that require different solutions. The idea thatthe two can be equated, claiming that consensual prostitution is an oxymoron, or claiming that sex workers are brainwashed and giving in to the patriarchy, is not only flawed logic, it is also extremely damaging to both groups. If we look at things objectively, the more time we spend criminalizing sex work and enforcing our ideals of how people should use their bodies, the more time we spend failing to seek out trafficking victims. More resources are used that restrict individual freedoms and do not protect vulnerable people. We must disconnect two subjects to find a way to give both groups the justice they need. In light of these statements, I insist that prostitution and sex work be legalized in the United States. Currently, out of all of America, only a few counties in Nevada grant people the freedom to engage in consensual sex work. I propose that states follow in Nevada's footsteps to legalize sex work. Nevada's sex work reforms state that it is illegal to "induce, force, or cause another person to unlawfully engage in prostitution" ("Nevada Prostitution and Sex Work Laws"). solicitation"). This is called pimping and is punishable by a prison sentence of one to five years and/or a fine of up to $10,000. This means that while it is legal to seek and offer sexual services for money, it remains illegal to recruit sex workers. Additionally, only certain counties can host licensed brothels, and each of those brothels must follow certain rules. These rules include: Workers must be at least 18 years old and employed voluntarily. They should use condoms and be tested regularly for HIV and STDs. There are certain laws regarding the location of these brothels; at least 400 meters from a school or place of worship, not on main streets, etc. Brothels are regulated by local licenses issued by counties and districts, and a brothel cannot be licensed if the owner or operator has been convicted of a crime or has ties to illegal businesses (" Nevada Prostitution and Solicitation Laws). Although this model was clearly customized for the State of Nevada, I believe it can serve as an appropriate basis upon which other states can build their policies. Another successful model is this one.from New Zealand. Before implementing new reforms to decriminalize prostitution, the New Zealand government aimed to directly address issues affecting sex workers. These include "decreased victimization, improved labor rights and women's empowerment, reduced crimes associated with prostitution, reduced numbers of illegal immigrants in the sex trade and decreasing the rate of sex trafficking” (Banks). By focusing frankly on these issues, the New Zealand government has succeeded in increasing its control over the sex trade. Although Nevada and New Zealand handle the fallout in different ways, both require brothels to maintain health and safety standards for their employees and customers. These brothels must have permits and licenses that allow the government to regulate and monitor the profession, and are subject to health and safety inspections to ensure that government standards are met. New Zealand prescribes.