NCJ Number
193481
Date Published
2000
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This chapter discusses the extent of prostitution globally and prostitution arrests by region in the United States.
Abstract
An act of prostitution is defined as an exchange of sex for money or some other commodity. The distribution of sex workers around the world is related to a number of factors, most of which are the laws and law enforcement practices determined by those in power and by the income of the citizens. Those countries with the highest rates of prostitution are generally poor, give low status to women, and have politicians that encourage prostitution for economic reasons. Prostitution is competitive; therefore, political jurisdictions may offer different services to attract customers. Southeast Asia and South America are tolerant of child prostitution. Religious or ideological beliefs strongly curtail prostitution. The Muslim faith condemns it so most Muslim countries have low rates. An important factor in explaining prostitution around the world is the organization of communal life. The racial, ethnic, and religious composition of the population; population density; extent of urbanization; and regional norms and values all affect the arrest rates for prostitution across the regions of the U.S. The prostitution rate for New England is significantly below the average for the Nation. The prostitution rate for the Middle Atlantic States is higher than average. The South Atlantic has a low prostitution rate relative to the national average because both Florida and the District of Columbia did not report data for 1996. The East North Central region of the United States. has the highest of any of the regions. Prostitutes work in a variety of settings. Municipalities have developed several strategies for controlling street prostitution. One approach is to segregate vice to a particular geographic area. Control strategies often involve selective enforcement. 6 figures, 16 references