Prostitution, or sex work, can be defined as the practice or occupation of engaging in consensual sexual activity with someone in exchange for payment, in the form of money, favors, goods, or any other benefit agreed upon by the consenting parties prior to the activity. It is considered a huge social problem in most countries and there is little consensus towards a solution. Among other issues, prostitution is often linked to gender issues, violence, exploitation, trafficking and immorality. The general approach to solving this problem has been to try to crack down on these activities, often banning them completely or partially. I strongly insist that policies relating to prostitution must focus on the voices of sex workers who are directly affected by these laws, and I argue that such policies must focus more on the freedom and integration 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 as equals as they try to make a living, while at the same time ensuring adequate protections for everyone involved. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Sex work has existed for millennia; For as long as people have had sexual desires, and as long as they knew that those desires could be exploited for money and favors, sex work has existed. In American history, sex work became commercialized in the early 19th century, as young men experimented with independent lives as soldiers and laborers. Unable to marry, they found sexual comfort in women who sold 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 seen as taboo in American society, this was not always the case. In fact, entire Wild West towns were centered around brothels, and the women who worked in and owned these brothels usually 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 citizens. Among these women were Madam Millie, of New Mexico, who sent local children to college using her money, and Madam Diamond Jessie Hayman, who sponsored food and clothing for the victims of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Many of these women they were incredibly intelligent pioneers and entrepreneurs, and soon their success 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 give women the right to vote, and effectively refused to join the Union unless women retained that right: "We could remain out of the Union 100 years, but we will enter with our women.” Why then did America become so intolerant of the idea of ​​prostitution? Well, as more and more cities included brothels as part of their thriving urban culture, the fear that white women being forced into it led to the “white slavery fear of the 1910s.” Progressive reformers exploited the idea that prostitution was inherently oppressive, immoral, and sinful to pass the Mann Act, a federal law that criminalized transportation. of women across state lines for “prostitution or debauchery, orany other immoral purpose” (Arkles). In time, this and the sanctity of marriage forced many brothels to close, as many states passed laws to restrict and eventually ban sex work. Although it was claimed that these actions were taken to protect women, the results of these laws proved otherwise. Criminalization has caused a lot of harm to sex workers. Because criminalization means that sex workers do not get workplace protection from the law, it has allowed these workplaces to be increasingly hostile and dangerous. Conditions have progressively worsened and sex workers are raped, abused, beaten, killed and even chased away, every single day. Studies have shown that in areas where sex work is criminalized, workers are 7 times more likely to be abused and “active prostitutes were nearly 18 times more likely to be killed than women of similar age and race” (Potterat , et al). A study of San Francisco prostitutes found that 82 percent had been assaulted and 68 percent raped while working as prostitutes. A higher risk of HIV and STI transmission has been calculated among sex workers with criminalization-related experiences. If done correctly, it is estimated that decriminalization could deter approximately 33-46% of HIV infections over the next 10 years (Potterat, et al). In areas where sex work is highly criminalized, state oppression of these workers often amounts to a violation of basic human rights. These may include “assault and harassment by police officers, naming and shaming, denunciation by third parties (such as landlords), extortion and blackmail, arbitrary arrest and detention… exploitation and corruption, confiscation of property, refusal of custody of children…". The reason these conditions are so abhorrent is because sex workers are unable to report any crimes, effectively making them easy targets for incels and bullies. Reports show that up to 30% of sex workers have been threatened with violence or have experienced actual violence from the police. Criminalization further discourages sex workers from reporting crimes they are likely aware of, including trafficking, money laundering and drug dealing. Sex workers not only fear prosecution, which could lead to arrest, deportation or worse, they also fear their future and the safety of their families who are rarely given adequate protection. Many use these vile conditions to support the idea that women should simply stop engaging in sex work and find a new profession. This is easier said than done, as most of these workers enter the industry seeking economic stability and live below the poverty line. Furthermore, there are very few resources and support groups set up by the government so that sex workers can leave the profession without incriminating themselves. One of the key aspects of criminalization is that it fuels stigma, not only against active sex workers, but also against those who have found the means to leave 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 were also considered particularly vulnerable to harassment, discrimination, social exclusion, etc. While the initial laws claimed to defend women's rights and promised to protect them from pimps and clients (clients), documents prove otherwise. Every yearIn the United States, 70,000 to 80,000 people are arrested for prostitution. Of these, around 70% are madams and sex workers, 20% are prostitutes and pimps and only 10% are clients. This equates to nine prostitutes/pimps arrested for every client. The evidence clearly shows that these laws do not help women, rather they consistently empower violent men and give them an entire class of women who can abuse and harm without fear of repercussions. Additionally, these arrests cost American taxpayers nearly $200 million each year. If we legalized this trade, that money could be used to provide safe working conditions for these workers, allowing them to become legally employed, taxpaying citizens. This would not only boost the economy but also enable these workers to lift themselves out of the poverty line. It would be a grave injustice to ignore the plight of trafficking victims. We must therefore focus on how to help them. I recognize that human trafficking is an urgent problem to be solved as soon as possible, however, I reject the idea that a total ban on sex work is the solution. Uniting victims of trafficking with consenting prostitutes and seeking a solution that treats both equally not only harms sex workers, but also presents victims' possibility of freedom. Let's take the case of Tina Frundt for example. 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 intimidated her with violence and prevented her from escaping by isolating her from help and threatening her with prison. When Frundt finally escaped from Tiger, his threats proved true. Tina Frundt was incarcerated and criminalized, even though she was a victim of child sex trafficking. Tina Frundt is just one example of many others. Thankfully, Frundt's case helped pass laws to protect child victims of sex trafficking, but no such protections yet exist for adults or those who cannot conclusively prove they have been trafficked since minors. Therefore, it is of great importance 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 arrest. We must create a different dialogue focused on victims of trafficking, without overshadowing the dialogue with the voices of consenting sex workers. Focusing on sex workers to best protect them in their profession of choice and ensuring that victims of trafficking are rescued and reintegrated into society are problems that present different solutions. The idea that both can be equated, arguing that consensual prostitution is an oxymoron, or arguing that sex workers are brainwashed into surrendering to the patriarchy, is not only flawed logic, but also extremely harmful to both the groups. If we look at it objectively, the more time we spend criminalizing sex work and enforcing our ideals about how people should use their bodies, the more time we spend not seeking out trafficking victims. This is more resources being used to limit personal freedoms and not to protect the most vulnerable. We must separate these two issues to find a way to give both groups the justice they need. Based on these attestations, I emphasize that prostitution and sex work must be legalized in the United States.Currently, across America, only a few Nevada counties give 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 unlawful to “induce, force, or arrange another person to unlawfully engage in prostitution” (“Nevada Prostitution and Solicitation Laws”). This is called aiding and abetting and is punishable by one to five years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000. This means that although it is legal for people to seek and provide sex in exchange for money, it is still illegal to recruit sex workers. Additionally, only certain counties can host licensed brothels, and each of these brothels must follow certain rules. Among these rules are: Workers must be at least 18 years old and be hired of their own free will. They must use condoms and undergo regular testing for HIV and sexually transmitted diseases. There are some laws regarding where these brothels can be located; at least 400 meters away from a school or place of worship, not on main roads, etc. Brothels are regulated by local licenses issued by counties and districts, and a brothel cannot receive a license if the owner or operator has been convicted of a crime or has ties to illegal activity (“Nevada Prostitution and Solicitation Laws”). While this model was clearly customized for the state of Nevada, I believe it can serve as an appropriate foundation upon which other states can build their own policies. Another successful model is that of New Zealand. Before implementing new reforms to decriminalize prostitution, the New Zealand government aimed to directly address issues affecting sex workers. These included “decreasing victimization, strengthening labor rights and empowering women, reducing crimes associated with prostitution, decreasing the number of illegal immigrants in the sex trade, and decreasing rates of sex trafficking” ( Banks). Focusing on these issues has allowed the New Zealand government to successfully increase control over the sex trade. While Nevada and New Zealand address repercussions 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 compliance with government standards. New Zealand prescribes criminal charges against clients who engage in unsafe sexual practices, such as those who have unprotected sex. New Zealand Police have special instructions to ensure the safety of brothel workers and managers. Therefore, I recommend that the United States legalize and regulate sex work. All existing federal laws prohibiting consensual sex work and its solicitation must be abolished, and state legislatures must be encouraged to legalize sex work in their respective states. Some general restrictions must be placed by the federal government, to ensure the protection of all involved, but the specifics should be determined predominantly by the states. This is to ensure that laws comply with the Tenth Amendment and that states' rights are not violated. This also allows state legislatures to set the best rules for their voters based on a state's needs. However, the federal government must impose a general rule. Since US law considers a.