Pros And Cons Of Decriminalization Of Sex Work
“You cannot enter this debate without recognising that it is often women and men who live on the outskirts of society who are forced into sex work… Decriminalizing their work does not mean condoning a world which leads them onto the streets. We want them to enjoy all of their human rights and we will continue to fight for a world where that is possible.”
Because we agree with this statement by policy advisor Catherine Murphy of human rights’ group Amnesty International, my partner and I affirm the resolution: “Sex work should not be criminalized, and a law should be made to decriminalize it.”
We offer the following 3 reasons to support our case: the reduction of physical abuse, the right to access medical care, and the right to access legal
protection without forsaking a livelihood.
The first reason we offer is the reduction of physical abuse. In San Francisco, where sex work is criminalized, 82% of sex workers have been physically assaulted and 68% have been raped as adults involved in prostitution. Another study found that sex workers are also 18 times more likely to be murdered than their non-sex working counterparts. If sex work were to be decriminalized, this harm could be reduced.
The second reason we offer is the right to access medical care. If sex workers’ existence was not illegal, it would follow that workers would feel more comfortable going to a health clinic for both testing and treatment. In New South Wales, where sex work is decriminalized, the HIV/STI transmission rates among sex workers are lower than in the general population. In the US, rates are much higher among sex workers.
The third reason we offer for decriminalization is the right to comprehensive legal protection. Current laws undermine sex workers’ options for alternative employment. If a person was arrested and convicted of a criminal offence, like prostitution, it must be disclosed to a prospective employer. This hurts one’s chances of being accepted as an employee and keeps the person depending upon sex work. If it was not criminalized, the sex trade would much easier to leave.
In conclusion, we urge a PRO vote due to the following reasons: the reduction of physical abuse and the rights to health care and legal protection. A vote for the PRO side will reduce the abuse inflicted upon those who work in the sex trade.
Because we agree with this statement by policy advisor Catherine Murphy of human rights’ group Amnesty International, my partner and I affirm the resolution: “Sex work should not be criminalized, and a law should be made to decriminalize it.”
We offer the following 3 reasons to support our case: the reduction of physical abuse, the right to access medical care, and the right to access legal
protection without forsaking a livelihood.
The first reason we offer is the reduction of physical abuse. In San Francisco, where sex work is criminalized, 82% of sex workers have been physically assaulted and 68% have been raped as adults involved in prostitution. Another study found that sex workers are also 18 times more likely to be murdered than their non-sex working counterparts. If sex work were to be decriminalized, this harm could be reduced.
The second reason we offer is the right to access medical care. If sex workers’ existence was not illegal, it would follow that workers would feel more comfortable going to a health clinic for both testing and treatment. In New South Wales, where sex work is decriminalized, the HIV/STI transmission rates among sex workers are lower than in the general population. In the US, rates are much higher among sex workers.
The third reason we offer for decriminalization is the right to comprehensive legal protection. Current laws undermine sex workers’ options for alternative employment. If a person was arrested and convicted of a criminal offence, like prostitution, it must be disclosed to a prospective employer. This hurts one’s chances of being accepted as an employee and keeps the person depending upon sex work. If it was not criminalized, the sex trade would much easier to leave.
In conclusion, we urge a PRO vote due to the following reasons: the reduction of physical abuse and the rights to health care and legal protection. A vote for the PRO side will reduce the abuse inflicted upon those who work in the sex trade.