NCJ Number
55113
Journal
Revue internationale de criminologie et de police technique Volume: 31 Issue: 2 Dated: (APRIL-JUNE 1978) Pages: 131-148
Date Published
1978
Length
18 pages
Annotation
DEMANDS FOR CERTAIN RIGHTS AND FOR PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION OF FRENCH PROSTITUTES, AS WELL AS THEIR DISSATISFACTION WITH LEGAL CONTROLS ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
THE DEMANDS ARE A REACTION TO INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL LEGISLATION SEEKING TO HALT MORAL AND PHYSICAL DEGRADATION OF WOMEN, CORRUPTIVE EFFECTS OF PROSTITUTION, AND PROSTITUTION-RELATED CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES. IT IS ARGUED (1) THAT WHILE PROSTITUTES ARE ENTITLED TO HUMAN RIGHTS, RECOGNIZING PROSTITUTION AS A PROFESSION WOULD INCREASE PROCURERS' PROFITS AND ENCOURAGE WOMEN TO ENTER THE PROFESSION; (2) THAT UNRESTRICTED SOLICITING CANNOT BE ALLOWED WHEN IT MAY CAUSE DISTURBANCES OF THE PEACE; (3) THAT PROSTITUTES ARE ENTITLED TO HEALTH AND SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS BUT CANNOT OFFICIALLY BE CATEGORIZED EITHER WITH OTHER PROFESSIONS OR AS A SEPARATE PROFESSION; (4) THAT ALTHOUGH PROSTITUTES SHOULD PAY TAXES LIKE EVERYONE ELSE, THEIR TAXES SHOULD NEITHER LEGITIMIZE THEIR ACTIVITIES NOR PUNITIVELY EXCEED THE NORMAL TAX LEVELS; AND (5) THAT REGULATIONS PERMITTING CONTROL OF PROCURING ACTUALLY PROTECT PROSTITUTES FROM ABUSE WITHOUT ENDANGERING THEIR PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH MEN WHO ARE NOT PROCURERS. FURTHERMORE, A NUMBER OF LEGAL REGULATIONS PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR PERSONS WHO RUN, SELL, OR RENT OUT LOCATIONS FOR PROSTITUTION, AND DESPITE CLAIMS THAT RIGOROUS APPLICATION OF THE LAWS LEAVES NO PLACE FOR PROSTITUTES TO PRACTICE THEIR PROFESSION, THE LAWS ARE NECESSARY TO RESTRICT PROLIFERATION AND EXPLOITATION OF PROSTITUTION. FINALLY, MEASURES RECOMMENDED TO IMPROVE THE PREVENTION SYSTEM INCLUDE REEMPHASIS OF JUVENILE COURT JUDGES' OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE TO UNDERAGE PROSTITUTES, AS WELL AS RESOCIALIZATION ASSISTANCE, HOUSING, AND SOCIAL OR MEDICAL ASSISTANCE TO PROSTITUTES OR PERSONS IN DANGER OF BECOMING PROSTITUTES. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THE UNDERSTAFFED SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS FIRST ESTABLISHED BY THE FAMILY AND WELFARE CODE OF 1960 HAVE BEEN INEFFECTIVE IN DETECTING CASES FOR TREATMENT AND IN INFORMING AFFECTED PARTIES OF AVAILABLE SERVICES, AND THAT COOPERATION OF COURTS, POLICE, AND SOCIAL SERVICES WOULD BETTER SERVE THESE ENDS. -- IN FRENCH. (KMD)