Legalisation of Prostitution

the existence of this IU seems to participate in the commodification of sex

a troglodyte, full of moralistic shite.

They say decrimilize prostitutes themselves yet continue to criminalise pimps and clients, now i've nothing really against on a moral level (i'm not exactly too worried about peoples human right to buy anothers) I remain skeptical about the outcome this would produce for prostitutes themselves, infact i reckon it would serve only to put them at greater risk.

n 1999, after years of research and study, Sweden passed legislation that a) criminalizes the buying of sex, and b) decriminalizes the selling of sex. The novel rationale behind this legislation is clearly stated in the government's literature on the law:

"In Sweden prostitution is regarded as an aspect of male violence against women and children. It is officially acknowledged as a form of exploitation of women and children and constitutes a significant social problem... gender equality will remain unattainable so long as men buy, sell and exploit women and children by prostituting them."

In addition to the two pronged legal strategy, a third and essential element of Sweden's prostitution legislation provides for ample and comprehensive social service funds aimed at helping any prostitute who wants to get out, and additional funds to educate the public. As such, Sweden's unique strategy treats prostitution as a form of violence against women in which the men who exploit by buying sex are criminalized, the mostly female prostitutes are treated as victims who need help, and the public is educated in order to counteract the historical male bias that has long stultified thinking on prostitution. To securely anchor their view in firm legal ground, Sweden's prostitution legislation was passed as part and parcel of the country's 1999 omnibus violence against women legislation.

As a result of the new legislation, the sexworkers say it is now harder for them to assess the clients. The clients are more stressed and scared and negotiation outdoors must be done in a more rapid manner. The likelihood of ending up with a dangerous client is thereby greater.

Do we support their calls for legalisation?

Reclaim the Night marches and rallies have traditionally been organised by collectives of unpaid women who have worked together in their communities to organise peaceful protests against sexual violence towards women and children, and to promote women's strength and survival. Reclaim the Night represents a claim for women's basic human right to live in freedom from discrimination and fear of violence.

The first rally took place in Rome in 1976, as a reaction to reported rapes reaching 'Astronomical' figures (16000 per annum). Around 10,000 women and children marched through the centre of the city.

Marches followed in 1977 in West Germany. Women there demanded, "the right to move freely in their communities at day and night without harassment and sexual assault"

Reclaim the Night marches were initiated in England on 23 November 1977 by women in Leeds in response to the 'Ripper Murders'. They had read of the demonstrations by feminists in Germany. Angry at advice to stay indoors since the last "Ripper" killing, they marched with torches through the town and challenged men in the street, asking them where they were at the time the "Ripper" killed Jacqueline Hill? On this occasion hundreds of women sang protest songs in the city square. Marches occurred simultaneously in 11 towns, from Manchester to Soho.

'Take Back the Night' marches in the USA were first held in 1978. In San Francisco over 5000 women from 30 states marched through the pornography district. These organised protests developed into campaigns such as Women Against Violence Against Women.

"Take Back the Night is a symbolic statement of our commitment to stopping the tide of violence against women in all arenas and our demand that perpetrators of such violence be held responsible for their actions and be made to change."

Women from Ireland, India, Canada, Germany and Holland have also marched through their cities to Reclaim the Night.

In Australia, Reclaim the Night marches were first held in 1978.

"The campaigns here have become large and explicitly political campaigns, focussing on the need for social and legal reform, on the need for more Government resources to assist victims, and on the effects of assault and loss of freedom on women's lives....

On another level, Reclaim the Night represents a challenge to the curfew mentality that is imposed on 51% of the population. It symbolises a rejection of existing beliefs that "women shouldn't walk alone at night" and "that women should be careful of what they wear and who they speak to". Such warnings deflect the onus and responsibility of male violence from men onto women, and endorse a kind of gender apartheid on the streets.

By taking part in this protest we are able to unite in a joyful celebration of our collective strength and solidarity, demanding not only safety on the streets but at home and in the workplace. We march to reclaim our public space and demand that which has been denied us, paradoxically, the right to walk alone."

Lismore was one of the first rural areas in NSW to take part. Women have been holding marches there since 1988.

"To even know that it goes beyond your community that it is statewide, nationwide, an international event is a very strengthening experience for women."

theres a suggestion of Reclaim The Night marches in ipswich/throughout the UK, in solidarity with women in Ipswich.

yeh, all of them.

assuming the right demands are made