My position is that it should be decriminalized (not legalized) so that sex workers can be protected and can seek legal support. But I think we should be clear on certain things before the debate gets ahead:
"prostitution" or sex work = purchasing sex/physical love for money. or selling sex/physical love for money.
rape = a violent form of asserting "power" over women (especially men who hold a certain kind of "power" over the woman - husband, army, police, etc.). Most rapes are not because the attacker is a psychopath. Most rapes happen in incredibly mundane and domestic situations, from husbands, boyfriends, family members.
Miconception: rape is about sex
Rape is about one thing - power. Women and girls of all ages get raped, and it is not about whether they are sexually attractive or not, or what they are wearing, etc. It is a form of violence, and because of its social stigma, it is talked about in terms of "honour," "losing honour," etc. Instead of "honour," which has patriarchal connotations anyway, I think we should talk about in terms of safety and consent, and changing social attitudes to make sure men learn to respect women and their choices (including their sexual choices) from a young age. And women should also learn from a young age to respect ourselves and our choices.
Misconception: sex workers don't get raped.
Technically, it should be consensual. In many cases where sex workers
have a support system, or are organized within an area, it is
consensual, becayse they have systems of accountability to take care of a
violent customer or a non-paying customer. But reality is that sex
workers are extremely vulnerable to rape themselves, again really
depends on where they work and whether or not they have a support
system. They can't go to the police, because the police are usually incredibly abusive to them. See thing about "power" before. The fact is that they are so much in the margins completely stigmatized, with little forms of support.
Prostitution (or sex-work) is not about "preventing rape." It is just an economy of sex, like there are plenty of other economies in the world. Sexism and misogyny applies within that sphere, and so does power.
You have two different problems (at least the way I see it):
1. How can we get rid of sexist attitudes and frameworks, to prevent violence against women (including sexual violence), and how can we address "rape culture" in the world, including India.
2. How can we find ways to increase safety (of vulnerable women, such as sex workers) in industries/sectors that are in the margins or the underbelly of society. My answer would be that Decriminalization would be a start, but we need a whole lot more, and the solution to number 1 above will have to be a part of it.
Questions that are not important to me (because I think they misdirect from the issue):
- Is "prostitution" moral? Irrelevant. It happens, and always will.
- Are those women sinners or do they hate themselves, and how can we save them? Extremely moralistic, self-aggrandizing. As if sex workers can't think for themselves and don't make choices (despite how little choice they may have) based on what is available to them.
Edited by --arti-- - 11 years ago
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