LEGAL AND EXTRA-LEGAL METHODS OF CONTROLLING FEMALE PROSTITUTION - A CROSS-CULTURAL COMPARISON

• NCJ Number: 55046
• Journal: International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice Volume: 2 Issue: 1 Dated: (SPRING 1978) Pages: 71-85
• Author(s): J BOLES; C TATRO
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 15 pages
• Corporate Author: Wichita State University
• Sale Source: Wichita State University
• Publication Type: Survey (Cross-Cultural)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: PRICE QUOTED ABOVE IS FOR SINGLE ISSUE

Annotation

FROM A CROSS-CULTURAL PERSPECTIVE, THIS PAPER DESCRIBES SOME OF THE LEGAL AND EXTRALEGAL STRATEGIES USED TO COPE WITH A VARIETY OF PRACTICAL PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH COMMERCIAL PROSTITUTION.

Abstract

NATIONS VARY IN THEIR ACCEPTANCE OF PROSTITUTION AND IN THEIR TOLERANCE OF ITS ATTENDANT SIDE EFFECTS, SUCH AS PUBLIC SOLICITATION, POLICE PAYOFFS, VENEREAL DISEASE, PIMPING, GARISH BUILDINGS IN SLEAZY NEIGHBORHOODS, AND LOSS OF TAX REVENUES. STRATEGIES DESIGNED TO COPE WITH THESE PROBLEMS VARY FROM LEGAL TO EXTRALEGAL AND FROM SOMEWHAT EFFECTIVE TO INEFFECTIVE; SOME EVEN EXACERBATE THE PROBLEM. LEGAL CONTROL STRATEGIES INVOLVE PROSTITUTION STATUTES THAT REGULATE THE BEHAVIOR OF PROSTITUTES, PIMPS/PROCURERS, CUSTOMERS, AND BUSINESS OWNERS/MANAGERS. HOWEVER, THE LAWS AND THE EFFORTS DIRECTED AT THESE FOUR GROUPS VARY WIDELY BOTH BETWEEN JURISDICTIONS AND WITHIN THE SAME JURISDICION. BECAUSE COMMUNITIES USUALLY HAVE DIFFERENT PRIORITIES, THE LAWS AND THE POLICE PRACTICES RELATED TO PROSTITUTION TEND TO REFLECT SUCH PRIORITIES. THE MOST USUAL NONLEGAL STRATEGY IS POLICE HARRASSMENT. CONSTANT HARRASSMENT, WILL REDUCE STREET SOLICITATION; HOWEVER, IT IS EXPENSIVE AND MAY INVOLVE VIOLATIONS OF CIVIL LIBERTIES. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES OTHER THAN POLICE DEPARTMENTS MAY ALSO BE USED TO PURSUE THOSE ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL SEX. FOR EXAMPLE, BUILDING INSPECTORS MAY 'RAID' MASSAGE PARLORS AND ORDER THEM CLOSED FOR SAFETY REASONS. INFORMAL SOCIAL CONTROLS ARE ALSO USED IN A VARIETY OF COUNTRIES TO REGULATE PROSTITUTION. IN RUSSIA, AUTHORITIES PLACE PHOTOGRAPHS OF MEN WHO FREQUENT PROSTITUTES ON FACTORY WALLS WHERE THEY ARE EMPLOYED. A MORE EXTREME EXAMPLE OF COMMUNITY SANCTIONS IS THE USE OF ISOLATION IN RURAL ALGERIA. PROSTITUTES MAY SUFFER TRIBAL OSTRACISM LASTING 2 TO 5 YEARS AND DURING WHICH NO WOMEN IN THE COMMUNITY WILL SPEAK WITH THEM. REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (KBL)