Despite being ‘the oldest profession’, sex work is a profoundly controversial issue in this day and age. Many consider sex work to be purely prostitution or porn actors but this term also covers phone sex lines, exotic dancing, webcam modelling and peepshow performances. In the UK this type of work is still looked down upon and the women and men who are employed in this industry face prejudice and in some cases persecution from the law.
Earlier this year, Amnesty International made the decision to recommend the full decriminalisation of all aspects of consensual sex work. The word choice that has been used is critical in understanding what they are supporting. Consensual has been included to stress that the organisation still recognises the issue of sex trafficking and is not endorsing this. Sex trafficking is considered a separate issue to be tackled in various ways. Some argue that decriminalisation can help this; if all sex workers are registered as such then those that operate illegally will be easier to spot and therefore help.
Despite the good intentions, Amnesty International has faced a lot of criticism from various women’s groups for this decision. The decision is important as the organisation will use its weight to lobby governments to accept its point of view.
“We recognise that this critical human rights issue is hugely complex and that is why we have addressed this issue from the perspective of international human rights standards,” said Salil Shetty, the secretary general of Amnesty International. “We also consulted with our global movement to take on board different views from around the world.”
For years the debate has raged around whether or not this work should be legal and regulated, particularly in the case of prostitution. On one hand, it is argued that legalising sex work increases the chances of sex-trafficking and ignores the experiences of women who have been forced into prostitution in the past. This side of the debate maintains that men should be criminalised for buying sex therefore reducing the attraction of the trade for traffickers. Advocates for this model believe that no one chooses to enter or enjoys prostitution therefore legalising it only continues the harm that is being done to these men and women.
the other side of the argument states that prostitution can be a choice and by regulating it we can protect those who sell their body from harm. Decriminalising the act would mean that these men and women are entitled to the same rights and protection as other employees. It also could create more income for the governments in the form of taxes therefore taking the money out of the pockets of criminals and putting it to good use in society.
Personally I support the legalisation of prostitution. there is a number of issues surrounding the trade but I believe the only way to protect people is to allow them to be open and honest about what they do. This allows them the freedom to ask for help when they need it and also the freedom to leave the profession when they chose to do so. At the moment, explaining a four year employment gap in a CV could put most employers off.
I also think it is unfair to say that all men and women in this line of work do not enjoy it even if they say they do. It belittles the experiences and opinions of a wide swathe of sex workers who are bascially told that they cannot think for themselves because they are happy in their work. People should be allowed to make their own decisions in life, even if it is one that others don’t agree with.
Whatever side of the argument you stand on, Amnesty International’s decision is a huge one. The frame of mind concerning sex work around the world is changing, finally pulling the practice out into the spotlight and dealing with the various issues that it brings.
For more information around this topic I suggest reading
http://www.thenation.com/article/should-buying-sex-be-illegal/
Thoughts of a Millennial 