SPEECH

The oldest profession in the world has done much to earn its title. Prostitution has been met with enmity and distaste since the beginning of time. We have banned it, made it a prosecutable offense because historically it is also the most disreputable profession in the world. We, the citizen of the United States, have taken it upon our selves and declared prostitution immoral and thus illegal. Yet in doing so we are denying these women many of the basic rights we hold so dear. We are denying them health; we are denying them protection from rape, sexual assault, and even murder. And for those of you who dare to even think that these women do not deserve the same protections you have because they have made a decision in their life then you forget the principles on which this country was founded.

Thomas Jefferson, along with the host of other founding fathers envisioned a nation in which a government, empowered by its own people, allowed broad and expansive freedoms and rights for the people. A society of choice, privacy. A government that was ruled only by basic and essential rights agreed that have been true since the birth of mankind. , that bestowed the definition of immorality on the choices made by an individual. It is not the government’s job or authority to decide if something is immoral if does not violate the basic human rights of life, liberty, or justice. In truth illegal prostitution threatens these rights.

To accept this notion, you must also understand that it will exist. No matter the laws passed by congress, social stigmas, or sexually transmitted diseases making the rounds, prostitution has thrived for thousands of years and will continue to do so. Brothels and pimps will continue to operate as the presidents change, as the current Supreme Court dies out and as our grandchildren graduate from college. Opponents of legalization argue that banning it discourages the sex trade, that enforcement by police officers keeps both buyers and sellers off the streets. *Dr. Kirby Cundiff of Northeastern University estimates 25% of rapes would not happen if the potential perpetrators found a sexual outlet in paid sex. A team of sociologists at the university of Nevada found that crime rates in the two counties in Nevada that have legalized prostitution have substantially lower crime rates, including violent crimes.

The police force meanwhile spends thousands of dollars, resources that could be spent elsewhere, to catch and prosecute prostitutes. As reports of police officers waiting until after sex to arrest prostitutes in sting operations were uncovered in the 1990s, investigations were made. These reports found that forces spent proportionally more time in prostitution cases, because it was more enjoyable work for the police officers. And in the cases that they are caught and prosecuted, most pay the fine and return to streetwalking the next night.

So instead of fighting a battle that we can’t win, let’s make the situation safer for everyone.

Safety is, in fact, one of the key arguments for the legalization of prostitution. With government regulation, a once underground industry, with underground standards, can face the safety specie circular that we hold to the rest of American business. It is surprising to consider that a business 15% of American men have reportedly taken part in, with as many risks as it does, is as unregulated and dangerous as is it currently. Streetwalkers face the very real danger of rape, sexual assault, botched abortions, fraud, and even killings. These individuals have a strong reluctance to go to the police if something does happen because of their occupation. If legalized the police would become a strong force in protecting from abuses that currently go unreported and unchecked.

With government regulation would come regulation of health standards including blood tests, enforced contraceptives policy, and a close watch on the health of prostitutes. A survey of prostitutes in the Washington D.C. and New York City area found that up to 50% were infected with AIDS, while not one woman in the two counties in Nevada where prostitution is legal is infected with AIDS. Monthly, even weekly blood tests would be used catch any diseases and immediately remove that prostitute from service. Right now, there are absolutely no checks of that kind. Herpes, Chlamydia, and Crabs runs rampant.

The idea of embracing this industry makes many uncomfortable. The thought of taking something “bad” and then legalizing it, is condoning it in some way. I argue that legalizing prostitution is not a statement by an individual that they support the trade, but that they recognize the practical advantages of public oversight. From a theoretical view, making something illegal should discourage it, yet in truth the dirty belly of whoring women thrives of the illegality. Pimps, bloody wire hangers, and black eyes would not be a problem if instead of ignoring the problem with ineffective laws, we faced it head-on - accepted the truth of the situation. From a reasonable view, a pragmatic view of legalization makes sense. What we have now isn’t working - *, STDs rage unchecked, enforcement of laws is ineffective.

And so I suggest it is not a responsibility, but our moral duty to change the system. Fix what is not working, and in this case it is the illegality of prostitution. Women are dying of abuse, diseases, and unwanted pregnancies unnecessarily. In banning prostitution the government of the United States has made a decision that should be left to each and every individual. But you say, prostitution is sexual immorality and a violation of a basic right. And then I say, but your neighbor disagrees with you. How does your opinion hold any more salt than his? If in a thousand years and then for the next thousand years, prostitution is accepted by society and even embraced, then are they all violating a basic human right. The right to life and liberty are unquestionable, these are protected by the government, and an ineffective ban on prostitution shouldn’t be.

SOURCES:

Superfreakonomics By Stephen Levitt and Steven Dubner

http://http://www.nevadacoalition.org/factsheets/LegliznFactSheet091707c.pdf

http://http://www.newint.org/issue252/facts.htm

Born into Brothels, 2004 American Documentary

Interview of former prostitute during 2005 Congressional hearing