NCJ Number
55976
Journal
POLICE COLLEGE MAGAZINE Volume: 15 Issue: 1 Dated: (AUTUMN 1978) Pages: 51-53
Date Published
1978
Length
3 pages
Annotation
A DISCUSSION OF THE HISTORY AND STATUS OF PROSTITUTION IN GREAT BRITAIN AND OF LEGISLATIVE ATTEMPTS TO CURB IT EMPHASIZES REASONS FOR LEGALIZING PROSTITUTION.
Abstract
THE MANY ATTEMPTS TO SUPPRESS PROSTITUTION IN BRITAIN HAVE BEEN CONCERNED PRIMARILY WITH MAKING PROSTITUTION AS UNOBTRUSIVE AS POSSIBLE. THE STREET OFFENSES ACT OF 1959, WITH ITS BANS ON SOLICITATION, MOVED PROSTITUTES OFF THE STREETS AND INTO MASSAGE PARLORS AND ESCORT SERVICES. ALTHOUGH PROSTITUTION IN BRITAIN IS NOT ILLEGAL, THERE IS VIRTUALLY NO LEGAL WAY IN WHICH PROSTITUTES CAN MEET THEIR POTENTIAL CLIENTS. PROSTITUTES CANNOT ADVERTISE, SOLICIT, OR LOITER WITH INTENT TO SOLICIT. OTHERS CANNOT ADVERTISE OR SOLICIT FOR THEM. RENTING PREMISES TO PROSTITUTES IS ILLEGAL AND IF TWO PROSTITUTES LIVE TOGETHER, THEY CONSTITUTE AN ILLEGAL BROTHEL. ANYONE LIVING WITH PROSTITUTES IS ALMOST CERTAIN TO BE CONSTRUED AS LIVING OFF THEIR EARNINGS, ALSO AN ILLEGAL ACTIVITY. SOME HAVE ARGUED THAT THE STATE SHOULD LICENSE BROTHELS. BRITISH SOCIETY PROBABLY IS NOT READY TO ACCEPT PROSTITUTION AS A LICENSED OCCUPATION, AND SUCH A PROPOSAL DOES NOT SEEM IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF PROSTITUTES. ONCE OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED AS A PROSTITUTE, A WOMAN WOULD FIND IT DIFFICULT TO GET A DIFFERENT KIND OF JOB. LICENSING WOULD ALSO ENCOURAGE WOMEN TO BECOME PROSTITUTES. THE ASSUMPTION UNDERLYING LAWS AGAINST PROSTITUTION IS THAT PROSTITUTION IS A SOCIAL EVIL THAT CAN BEST BE CONTROLLED BY PUNISHING THE PEOPLE INVOLVED. YET IT IS ONLY THE PROSTITUTES, NOT THEIR MALE CUSTOMERS, WHO ARE PUNISHED. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A NEED IN SOCIETY FOR PROSTITUTES, AND NO AMOUNT OF CRIMINAL LAW WILL DO ANYTHING TO CHANGE THAT NEED. SOCIETY MIGHT NOT BE READY TO LICENSE PROSTITUTES, BUT IT PROBABLY WOULD BE WILLING TO DECRIMINALIZE THEIR ACTIVITIES, PROVIDING THEY ABIDE BY THE LAW OF THE LAND (INCLUDING DECENCY AND NUISANCE LAWS). IF PROSTITUTES WERE NOT LABELED CRIMINAL, THEY WOULD NOT HAVE TO GO UNDERGROUND, WHERE THEY BECOME THE TOOLS OF PROFESSIONAL CRIMINALS AND THE VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE AND ABUSE. (LKM)