| do you think prostitution should be legalized
Posted: 2/15/2007 5:57:19 AM | There was a segment on the news tonight(win or 9 ) about the legalization of prostitution in Western Australia, i was wondering how the every day aussies veiw this occupation and weather or not you think it should be legalized..
basically nowadays where i live it is still illegal but is tolerated because of the positives it brings . such as , low sexual assaults and rapes....
so people it is over to you yell, scream, rant and debate what do you the general public think ............... | |
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| do you think prostitution should be legalized
Posted: 2/15/2007 6:50:13 AM | Let me start by saying that I have never used the services...
I think it should be legalised but I also agree with restricting where those services can be legally provided. I think the days of brothels and prostitution being seedy underworld operations, run by ganglords with girls press-ganged into work are reasonably long gone. Why should society dictate how a woman can and can't earn money based on outdated moralistic preferences. As long as the women themselves aren't being exploited and are comfortable working in the industry good luck to them.
By the same token, I do think that such operations should be conducted a reasonable distance from schools and residential zones, etc because they do have a tendancy to attract an undesirable element. An element that may be well behaved under the watchful gaze of a security guard but not so when left to their own devices leaving said premises.
My $0.02,
PL | |
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| do you think prostitution should be legalized
Posted: 2/15/2007 7:00:54 AM | I think its silly that its illegal in WA. It seems legal everywhere else.
I dont realy have a standing on them. I just think they should be restricted to specific zones allocated by the government or whatever conducts that.. as to not have them in family orientated areas. like near schools for example. | |
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| do you think prostitution should be legalized
Posted: 2/15/2007 7:13:28 AM | I do think it should be legal if it's a consensual act between two adults, and as long as it doesn't involve anyone being physically forced or deprived of their liberty. Some might argue that the prostitute is actually forced into it by various circumstance and therefore it isn't a choice, but how many people are out there who hate their job and feel underpaid but go in and sell their (soul) everyday because circumstance won't let them just up and quit? Feelings of being downtrodden and trapped can occur in any occupation. I've even heard high-earning blokes (who can't quit because of their financial debts and exhorbitant alimony obligations to their ex) describe themselves as feeling like they are 'enduring a similar sensation' for money on a daily basis.
Legalising it won't perhaps ever remove the stigma associated with it. When the law was changed to allow legal brothels in Queensland there were complaints from communities where brothel owners proposed opening their business...nobody wanted it in their neighbourhood. And if you ask the average person if they'd want their daughter/sister/mother to work as a prostitute they'd most likely say no. Some will always be uncomfortable with the notion of making sex a commercial transaction - but just because some might not ever be willing to work in the sex industry, doesn't mean that others should be told they can't either. Personally I'd never want to be a prostitute, but I don't want to be an accountant either (no disprespect to accountants, and no parallels implied) and yet I don't think accountancy should be illegal. (...although.....)
A friend told me about a TV doco they saw on pimps in the US the other night, and the beatings they give their girls were apparently atrocious, and regularly used as a means of retaining control. Am I naive to think that legalisation and licensing of brothels reduces this sort of management style? I just figure that making a brothel a recognised place of employment will then afford the staff their rights at work, and reduce the risks they face when working in an industry that is operating outside the law. It also affords anyone working in one of these licensed brothels lawful recourse against discrimination, because our Anti-Discrimination guidelines include mention of anyone lawfully employed. It just seems a better way to go for the prostitutes themselves.
But then, I do wonder whether the legal brothels that have opened in Brisbane have taken the non-lawful trade off the streets? Anyone want to 'fess up to knowing whether that's the case or not?
I'm surprised about the comment about it reducing sexual assaults and rapes. I was of the understanding that sex crimes are motivated by a need to demonstrate power/dominanace/superiority, not motivated by sexual deprivation. | |
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| do you think prostitution should be legalized
Posted: 2/15/2007 7:17:43 AM | There is no evidence that prostitution prevents sexual assault. There is, however, evidence that women in the sex industry suffer a lot of abuse, exploitation and violence. For example, a guy in Canada is right now on trial for killing 49 prostitutes.
I think it should be legalized, because if it is regulated, it will be safer. Also, I'd rather have the money it generates go into government tax coffers (and the pockets of the workers themselves) instead of going to organized crime. | |
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| do you think prostitution should be legalized
Posted: 2/15/2007 2:12:48 PM | I think it is the same as modeling, useing their body to make money. Doesn't matter if it is male or female. Funny that making a porn film is legal but prostitution is not????  | |
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| do you think prostitution should be legalized
Posted: 2/15/2007 2:29:08 PM | Prostitution is the oldest known profession, it was been around longer than any other occupation. A mining engineer who is a dear friend in Africa told me once that before any mine is constructed the first to set up are the brothels.
We have prostitution legalised here in Victoria and I remember the days it wasn't legalised. It was sleazy and dirty at the time. The stigma assciated with prostitute was in itself sleazy. Prior to legalised prostitution the same complaints were received from communities, welfare groups and the general public. The brothels are well located away from the domestic areas and the ones in the city and inner regions of Melbourne are well located and discreet. There is one I know of in a domestic area but it is so discreet that unless you knew of it, one would not know it is there.
The sleaziness comes from it being illegal. I believe the sex workers are all controlled in the process of being legal, ie health checks, etc. I have no problem today walking past one of them with my children as the brothels have moved from the days of sleaziness to a profession and with that gone are the drug lords feeding off the prostitutes and sick street prostitutes. One can safely walk in areas that where once known to have a high level of prostution. It is has made this city clean, I can't imagine Melbourne being any other way now.
As for sex shops, the same thing again, we have chains now of sex shops .. ie sexyland and others. Once a upon a time there was a huge stigma in even entering a sex shop, you know XXX and then you go in through a closed curtain to the back of the shop. Today these stores are clean, professional and in fact have one of the highest level of customer service that exist anywhere. They are well monitored by their own head office to ensure that the sales assistant meet the highest level of customer standards. I have no issue today given the set up in walking into a sex store, whereas ten years ago I wouldn't go near one.
the other main point too are the men's clubs. Even though I have never been in one, again they are professional. How many times have I walked past to be greeted with a smile and a greeting from both the security guard and the door attendant as I walk by. How many other occupations would apply the same level of service. I think having brothels, sex shops, men clubs legal is the best thing that Victoria has ever done.
For those states that don't have legalised brothels, yes you are going to hear communities and other groups lobby against it and that happened here, but in the end the government is not going to legalise brothels and have one right next door in a neighbourhood full of children. They are strictly controlled as to where they are situated. | |
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| do you think prostitution should be legalized
Posted: 2/15/2007 3:30:29 PM | i lived for a while in Kalgoorlie in WA, where prostitution has its own museum and the madam's are celebrated for their acts of kindness (maryanne kenworthy used to support the local footy and rugby teams and often gave 'freebies' to the f&B players) rofl.
I know maryanne kenworthy and have met her several times whilst i was living in Kalgoorlie and Perth and ive been following the story about legalising brothels in WA. I have to agree with her it's going to bring health and hygiene standards to a business that needs it very much.
Legalising prostitution cuts out all those 'street walkers' with god knows what diseases. I would rather have a clean prostitute than a cheap one!! | |
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| do you think prostitution should be legalized
Posted: 2/15/2007 7:18:55 PM |
Legalising it won't perhaps ever remove the stigma associated with it. When the law was changed to allow legal brothels in Queensland there were complaints from communities where brothel owners proposed opening their business...nobody wanted it in their neighbourhood.
i remember when it became legalized in qld... i know in brisbane there was a very and still is a very strict guideline to follow...all brothels had to be registered and all had to have a health inspection just like any other business having to deal with one on one service/customer based business.
i also remember a huge map of where brothels were allowed to be based... part of the rule was that it was to be in a industrial area... so it wasnt in neighbourhoods where kids could see them etc... however... there was one suburb up in arms over a brothel opening in a industrial area which was legal... but there was a childcare centre on the corner of that same street the brothel had opened on (opening hours were not of the childcare centres hours..the brothel sent out flyers ..lol).... they were like a couple of doors down.... i dont know who won or if the brothel is still working or they just got over it coz the brothel was based in a legal area to operate.
i do know of one up the road from me... well dad keeps pointing it out as it was there when he was a kid... they could still be open for business i wouldnt know... it is on a main road... ontop of a string of shops on that part of the main street.... it also backs onto a church ....lol... no one knows it there unless it is pointed out.... it just looks like a normal terrace shop with an appartment ontop.
i do know of someone that has recently gone to a brothel... as ashamed of it as he is... he did say it was cleaner then his own home... and the girls are cleaner then the ones you could pick up from the pub as your taking a risk from a pub... these girls in the brothel he went too got tested every 6months and were only allowed to work until they got the all clear.
as for it taking the walkers off the street.... wouldnt know... i just hope to god the chick that use to live underneath me in a block of flats that had 4 kids, lived in a 2 bedroom unit and worked out of that unit has stopped doing it... she would do her business with the kids there... and she would leave the kids home alone while she drummed up business 2 nights a week by being a walker... ( this was over 13 years ago) | |
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| do you think prostitution should be legalized
Posted: 2/15/2007 7:27:33 PM | | Considering sex is one of the most natural thing we do in life, is a major part of society and used to promote just about everything as well as a control mechanism in many cases. Prostitution should be legal and well controlled for health and a stable society, suppression never works, just makes things worse. | |
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| do you think prostitution should be legalized
Posted: 2/15/2007 9:33:49 PM | ^^^^^^^ I have to agree with you oldest profession known to man still i think putting it in industrial areas like alot of brothels are has its merits and is only part of the whole legalizing thing lets get it right first time | |
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| do you think prostitution should be legalized
Posted: 2/16/2007 8:49:51 PM | | If the question is "should street prostitution be legalised" the State Govt investigated this idea afew years ago when they looked at the situation in St Kilda.The residents did'nt want the sex workers in their street let alone their customers etc.So it was put in the too hard basket.My answer is "yes" but it wont be easy to satisfy every one. | |
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| do you think prostitution should be legalized
Posted: 2/17/2007 5:45:25 PM | you would be ashamed if your daughter was one ,but proud if your son was a soldier, one has sex the other is trained to kill blow people apart to leave men screaming after there have stepped on a mine (theres only39- 50 gramms of exsplosives in a anti -personnel mine just anoth to blow your foot off) to control an area with force of arms, so be so proud of your son or daughter if there are soldiers if you like, but if there sex workers what harm are there doing you dont have to be happy for them just support them
i served in the 80,s when polies fail ,soldiers do are thing,and people die nothing to be proud of takeing a mans son from him for ever | |
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ebgdae
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Joined: 12/27/2006
Msg: 15 | |
| do you think prostitution should be legalized
Posted: 2/17/2007 9:44:12 PM | I don’t why but the above post reminds me of a limerick. "Ted" Kaczynski, the unibomber and Monica Lewinski were both in the news at the time and someone said it’s be hard to make a limerick with them both in it.
Kaczynski and Lewinsky liked to bang’em
But they had different ways to mang’em
He liked blowing up towns
She liked blowing on gowns
Now the public they just want to hang’em
Ok,,,sorry about that
Back on thread now,,,,continue
I wonder if they’re legalised will there be discounts on the back of shopping dockets
“Buy one, get one free”,,that sort of thing | |
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| do you think prostitution should be legalized
Posted: 2/17/2007 9:57:18 PM |
Leady..
I do not have any judgements at all in respect to sex workers. In fact I have had friends who have been in this occupation for their own personal reasons. Gone are the days of sleaziness, gone are the days in this stage that sex workers are a second grade occupation to be made fun of, especially in this stage. Sex workers is after all the oldest occupation in the world.
If we are going to talk about sex during war times then sex whether used through brothels or sex workers is always a point of contention.
I am not sure as to why you would post and then disappear but it would be interesting for you to come back and explain as to why you have included soldiers in this thread. That is an interesting point you have made, one of which has not been bought to attention in this thread.
But maybe i'm on the wrong track here, ........ | |
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| do you think prostitution should be legalized
Posted: 2/19/2007 8:14:51 PM | i really enjoyed reading all of your perspectives and it is great to see that a majority of australias are open minded..
i started this thread as i am a tour guide at a local brothel and until i started there i was quite unaware of perhaps how professional the industry is .... well at least where i am working.. personally i think it would be a great idea to legalize prostitution as it happens regaurdless , having said that though i think it should still be contained, purely for the protection of the girls and the anonimity for the clients.... | |
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| do you think prostitution should be legalized
Posted: 2/19/2007 9:18:07 PM | | Last Friday evening on SBS, there was an insightful documentary in regards to Margaret MacDonald. A former madam (of extremely high intelligence and business sense) who was sentenced to 4 years jail in a French prison for “working.” This lady had wonderful testimonials from her employees, in fact after watching the documentary I am convinced prostitution should be legalised…world wide. | |
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| do you think prostitution should be legalized
Posted: 3/16/2007 9:34:48 AM | Heck, not only should it be legalised, it should also be cost controlled!!
$350 an hour!! (the only reason that I know this is because I have built some web sites for brothels. There's something about taking money *from* a brothel that amuses me)
20 bucks an hour... I could afford that. As long as it could be in 15 minute intervals.
;-) | |
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| do you think prostitution should be legalized
Posted: 3/16/2007 3:32:05 PM | Like most professions in any industry, you will get legitimate above board operations paying tax and insurance and then of course the fly by night, outsider element, that will do it because they are desperate, or just because they can get away with it. As we all know, prostitutes only need to provide one thing to make money. So of course, providing it in a controlled environment is safer for all. But I don't think it's a profession worthy of any kind of praise. More like a necessary evil.
I have friends who own and lease motels. You know, the ones with a swimming pool and swings for the kids, one has a bar and restaurant. They are regularly patronised by different prostitutes on a weekly basis, who book a room, then promptly set up shop... "They just look like normal women!....you would never guess they had anything worth selling!" was the comment made. So of course, a sporadic procession of clientele, from all walks of life walk in and out during the course of the day. Sometimes they are ejected sometimes not. I guess it depends on the amount of customers and the disturbance made. But it's a never ending battle for most motel managers and legal or not, it still goes on a plenty.....I'm told. | |
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| do you think prostitution should be legalized
Posted: 3/16/2007 5:58:18 PM | I used to work reception at a place in Canberra when I was there - they needed Japanese speaking admin staff - both because of the high number of exchange students earning extra cash by working there, and also because of the high number of Japanese customers.
The place I worked takes the safety of the women very seriously, with a score of measures in place to ensure that the women are well treated.
Tho it wasn:t common, it also wasn't unheard of for some of the girls to storm out of one of the rooms and demand security eject a customer, for some sort of breach, - repeatedly doing something despite requests to stop, trying to take photos on their phone without permission, etc. We also had a series of codes used on the intercom between all the rooms, and if a girl didn't answer for whatever reason, we'd have security break down the door.
Even when the girls were sent out on "out of house" visits to clients, they were driven by one of the security staff, who would go in before the girl, do a weapons check, recieve payment from the client (when it hadn't already been paid by credit card) and after sending the girl in, would wait out in the car nearby in case of need.
Both with in house clients, and those who ordered girls to be sent to their hotel rooms or houses, we were never hesitant to call the police on the slightest indication of trouble.
All this was possible because prostitution is legal in Canberra. I can't imagine the danger the girls would be putting themselves in, were they working solo, or illegally.
By legalising the trade, the government is also able to put laws in place to protect the girls and clients - such as compulsory use of condoms for all contact, and compulsory std testing every month.
I don't know about anyone else, but the majority of the girls were clean, drug free, and very professional. In canberra, alot of the girls were exchange students, or regular uni students. If I had a guy, obviously I would never ever want him to cheat on me, but if he were going to, then I would prefer he visited one of those girls - which keeps emotions coming out of it - than to pick up some girl in a pub, who may or may not be disease free, might not use a condom, and may cause all sorts of problems later.
The clients were a wide range of people - from the lonely, the disabled, regular business men, alot of men with families whose wives for one reason or another didn't want sex, teenagers celebrating the 18th birthday of one of their mates...
If it is properly regulated, it DOES cut down on the spread of disease, and the abuse and rape of women who are going to do it anyway, regardless of if it is legal or not. And for some - it provides an avenue for release which they might not otherwise have. | |
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| do you think prostitution should be legalized
Posted: 3/17/2007 7:33:27 PM |
If I had a guy, obviously I would never ever want him to cheat on me, but if he were going to, then I would prefer he visited one of those girls - which keeps emotions coming out of it
letting your partner be it boyfriend ,husband, de facto etc.... go to a brothel so he can have an affair /cheat with a prostitute on the bases there will be no emotional connection between them... i think that is a load of crap to be honest.... if your saying you will be ok with this and he kept going back once a week or several times a week to this one girl... there can be an emotional connect being made or starting too...
i have a very good friend that is now out of the business.... she has 2 kids... both to clients of hers... they were her regulars and they both became very fond of each other as she saw them at least 3 times a week and took it away from the brothel into her own home..... it got to the point where they could trust each other and on the off chance they wouldnt use protection and had said i know ya dont have anything..... hence the kids coming along..... both these men that fathered these 2 kids.... were married men... but they didnt want to leave their wives.... they had that emotional connection/bond with my friend that they had been missing from their wives.... at first they also thought... yep... i want to know what else is out there..... thought prostitution was the answer as no one will get hurt.... well boy were they wrong with that.... | |
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| do you think prostitution should be legalized
Posted: 3/18/2007 5:38:56 PM | YES
When driving taxis I often had contact with some really nice people who worked in the industry.
It is not mine to judge them or why they do what they do, but it is mine to vote to give them a safer working environment, as much as the new Industrial Relationship Laws will allow [but that is a different topic]. | |
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