Chicago Tribune

Prostitution thrives illegally in Chicago

There are a number of misconceptions here. Firstly prostitution and sex work are thriving in every city. Around 85% of workers are indoors (brothels, saunas, escorts and independents) which is usually considerably safer. Their issues are very different to street workers although there is some movement between the sectors. These women and men often have health problems and substance use, and need a lot more support. The illegality of sex work in the US does make it easier for workers to be abused by management but many operators run good establishments. The research on male clients of sex female workers shows that they are just ordinary men, just as female sex workers are just ordinary women. Some people go to a lot of trouble to persuade the public otherwise. As Thais correctly points out, a lot of sex work is not even about sex, just companionship and intimacy, and there is an element of commerce in all relationships. Arresting clients does nothing to help and endangers sex workers more. Sexual exploitation of minors is something we should all be concerned about, a legal sex industry would discourage this. The data on trafficking is very suspect, and the Washington Post recently exposed the fallacies behind these arguments. http://www.washing tonpost.com/wp-dyn /content/article/2 007/09/22/AR200709 2201401.html Melissa Farley is one of those people who are convinced there is a connection between sex work and trafficking, but mainstream researchers do not. Her book on Nevada has no credibility: http://deepthroate d.wordpress.com/20 07/09/17/review-of -prostitution-and- trafficking-in-nev ada-making-the-con nections/ For an interesting view on Illinois' futile attempts to fight the sex trade see: http://www.nationa lledger.com/cgi-bi n/artman/exec/view .cgi?archive=16 &num=15198 Sex workers do make choices, many might not approve of those choices, but so long as our society offers them very few choices, you cannot judge them. For a number of them it is a matter of survival. However again I stress this is a small minority, and while money is a powerful motivator, it is a career choice for many. While some may think it is necessary to make sex work illegal, several thousand years of written history teaches us that this is not only futile but harmful. As Henry says, that is symbolic law that achieves nothing. There is no place for criminal law in the lives of consenting adults. (Lawrence v. Texas (02-102) 539 U.S. 558 (2003) 41 S. W. 3d 349) http://www.law.cor nell.edu/supct/htm l/02-102.ZS.html The view about sexual health and infection is incorrect, sex workers are scrupulous about safe sex and could teach our society a lot. STDs are mainly associated with the college age group. http://cat.inist.f r/?aModele=affiche N&cpsidt=17712 988  (Oct 1, 2007 | post #17)

Chicago Tribune

Nevada's brothels get tough look

Sorry, I was not logged in!  (Oct 1, 2007 | post #40)