What Is Victimless Crime
In my personal opinion, the term “victimless crime” is a bit of an oxymoron. I have come to find out, opinions on this topic seem to be split right down the middle. People either believe that if a crime has no victim is not a crime at all; the only real victims are the offenders because the harm is self-inflicted. Or, they believe that these laws are vital to prevent the harm of others from said acts. There are even some who believe that these laws are just a way to be controlled by the government and that they hold no true merit. While others, believe that these laws are in place to protect society as a whole from the many possible potentially dangerous scenarios. It is easy to see both sides of the coin. On one hand, many of these types
of crimes are voluntary acts; no one participates against their will. Such as gambling, prostitution, piracy, or traffic violations. If we just look at prostitution, its being illegal promotes pimps, abuse and sex trafficking by preventing prostitute’s legal rights; if a woman fears prosecution, she can't go to the police when a crime has been committed against her. A large group argue that the abuse and degradation that is a direct result of prostitutes is the very reason why it is illegal. Then, others argue that legalizing prostitution will lower abuse and STDs by allowing the women to have more control in their chosen profession.
However, some of these acts, despite being voluntary, can be strongly influenced by peer pressures and social pressures; such as drug use, suicide, runaways, and public drunkenness. Some states have legalized the use of marijuana, so far there hasn’t seem to be any major backlash. The concern would be what people chose to do once under the influence of drugs such as marijuana. Then again, some feel that many doctors are just licensed drug dealers, especially with studies linking the use of prescribed opioid and how they have contributed to the recent rise in heroin use. If these can be linked in this way, why would one be legal to use and the other not?
Even though the term “victimless” crimes refers to actions not directly violating or threatening the rights of any other individuals, I agree with the opinion that these acts effect everyone around those committing them.
of crimes are voluntary acts; no one participates against their will. Such as gambling, prostitution, piracy, or traffic violations. If we just look at prostitution, its being illegal promotes pimps, abuse and sex trafficking by preventing prostitute’s legal rights; if a woman fears prosecution, she can't go to the police when a crime has been committed against her. A large group argue that the abuse and degradation that is a direct result of prostitutes is the very reason why it is illegal. Then, others argue that legalizing prostitution will lower abuse and STDs by allowing the women to have more control in their chosen profession.
However, some of these acts, despite being voluntary, can be strongly influenced by peer pressures and social pressures; such as drug use, suicide, runaways, and public drunkenness. Some states have legalized the use of marijuana, so far there hasn’t seem to be any major backlash. The concern would be what people chose to do once under the influence of drugs such as marijuana. Then again, some feel that many doctors are just licensed drug dealers, especially with studies linking the use of prescribed opioid and how they have contributed to the recent rise in heroin use. If these can be linked in this way, why would one be legal to use and the other not?
Even though the term “victimless” crimes refers to actions not directly violating or threatening the rights of any other individuals, I agree with the opinion that these acts effect everyone around those committing them.