John-Lewis1

Jennelle John-Lewis
Mrs. Pettay
ENG 112
25 March 2015
Right to Work the Night
Ruyard Kipling called prostitution the worlds oldest profession. Of the several careers
available to people around the world, prostitution is not a typical one found on the list.
Prostitution is illegal in most places around the world. Aside from a few counties in Nevada
people who are workers in the profession are criminalized. However, prostitution, unlike other
crimes, is victimless and involves two consenting adults and the exchange of money. While
several people would choose to decriminalize prostitution because it is victimless, there are also
several people who find fault in the morality, safety, and overall practice of the industry.
Prostitution is far from the conventional line of work and several people find it
exploitive. Jakobsson and Kotsadam stated, trafficking of persons for commercial sexual
exploitation... is least prevalent in countries where prostitution is illegal, most prevalent in
countries where prostitution is legalized, and in between in those countries where prostitution is
legal but procuring illegal." Trafficking is the selling of persons against their will for purposes of
labor or sex. Prostitution also runs several risks especially with being exposed to sexually
transmitted diseases and possible abuse. And the argument still stands that the industry devalues
women. Prostitution also sets up an environment where rape is prevalent. A culture in which
women can be bought for use is one in which rape flourishes (procon.org) Also. Although
prostitution is arguably the worlds oldest profession, it is still markedly unsafe. It is a cruel lie to
suggest that decriminalization or legalization will protect anyone in prostitution. It is not possible

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to protect someone whose source of income exposes them to the likelihood of being raped on
average once a week (procon.org). And often times girls turn to prostitution when theyve fallen
on economic hardship. Which although is a valid reason, it does not support positives means for
joining the sex industry. All of these are very real issues and possibilities however, in many
cases legalizing prostitution can fix several of them.
Prostitution is not just some person selling their bodies, it is some person trying to make a
living. While people find it to be morally reprehensible, it is the only means for some people to
put food on the table and there are a few people who enjoy working in the industry. Veronica
Monet stated, "We chose sex work after we did a lot of things we couldn't stand. Sex work is
better. For me, sex work isn't my first choice of paying work. It just happens to be the best
alternative available. It's better than being president of someone else's corporation. It's better than
being a secretary. It is the most honest work I know of"(procon.org). Although not every sex
worker shares the exact feeling as Monet, the institution has been under scrutiny for a while.
Safety is a huge concern and motivation for legalization. Marjan Wijers explains, Criminalizing
the sex industry creates ideal conditions for rampant exploitation and abuse of sex workers...[I]t
is believed that trafficking in women, coercion and exploitation can only be stopped if the
existence of prostitution is recognized and the legal and social rights of prostitutes are
guaranteed. Giving rights to those who work in the prostitution industry is a huge step to making
it safer. The spread of sexually transmitted diseases is also a huge question that arises in whether
or not to legalize prostitution. The answer is simple, legal and regulated sex work facilities
implement conditions that require the practice of safe sex. Australian sex workers have very low
rates of STIs and HIV, and most enjoy better sexual health than the general community. There is

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a strong culture of safe sex in the industry and condom use is now an almost universal practice
(procon.org). There are several ways to make the industry safer and more widely accepted.

Both sides share a common concern, safety. Bringing safer conditions to a profession
such as this would only work if the profession were not illegal to begin with. A way to start
would be decriminalizing prostitution, if the profession is no longer illegal, regulations can begin
to bring more order. Like the brothels in Nevada, the businesses can be taxed and bring in
revenue to the state and local government. Decriminalizing the profession instead of legalizing it
would make those who work in the industry more likely to come forward if an issue should arise
like in cases of rape or abuse. Being able to report problems without fear of prosecution would
allow for more accepting environment for the worker even if their work is not completely legal.
Although I agree that we should not be setting our daughters and sons up to be
prostitutes, it needs to be realized that selling ones body is the only option some people have.
And in all honesty, prostitution is not going away anytime soon whether we legalize it or not.
Stricter regulations will bring about change for the profession and safety for the workers which is
a marked improvement from the status quo. By decriminalizing, it gives those trapped in
prostitution a way to get out safely, as for those who want to stay in, it protects their rights.

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Works Cited
Jakobsson, Niklas, and Andreas Kotsadam. "The Law and Economics of International Sex
Slavery: Prostitution Laws and Trafficking for Sexual Exploitation." ProConorg
Headlines. ProCon.org, Feb. 2013. Web. 21 Mar. 2016.
Wijers, Marjan. "Women, Labor, and Migration: The Position of Trafficked Women and
Strategies for Support." ProConorg Headlines. ProCon.org, 1998. Web. 21 Mar. 2016.