If men and women were equally involved in prostitution (as prostitutes, not pimps), and there was equal demand from both sexes, and if there were the protections that would then inevitably come from an industry where men were working under the same conditions as women, it would be a completely different matter. The state of the sex industry, as it is, is the problem. As you say, changing that would involve far wider changes in society.
This is pretty much the issue. Though I wonder, if those changes were made, if there would still be the demand.
I don't think anyone said anything about hating the workers, just that prostitution is exploitative, and the prostitutes are the victims. I think you would be hard pressed to find many, if any, feminist critics of prostitution who blame the prostitutes.
It's fresh on my mind because Dallas, in the last week or so, has started taking DNA from prostitutes they arrest because-and this whole thing kills me-so many are raped and murdered without a second thought that having their DNA on file helps with evidence collection. [link]
Ugh, that is awful, DJ! How coldheartedly practical. Can't some of the money be used to help out the women? I understand that the DNA could be used to catch a predator, so I cautiously agree with it, but the implications make me hugely uncomfortable and sad.
The article says that basically it's just swabbing them when arrested and creating a database. I can't imagine that comes anywhere near the cost it would take for some real reforms.
Mostly it's aimed at giving these women and girls a name and a face instead of just random Jane Doe in a morgue.
Are other people who commit crimes swabbed? It seems that would be the way to go, too.
It's more about treating them as victims than people who commit crimes.
It's a pretty good post.
So, my friend got married the other day (ceremony Wed, big reception in August, which I am going to). I sent some flowers for the day. From the Fed Ex delivery receipt, I know that they were delivered when they were at the wedding, and Fed Ex left them there. I haven't heard from my friend about it, should I ask? I know that I hate it when I mean to do something like say thank you and I get prodded.
While I can see how that might reduce crime against prostitutes in the long-term, it also seems to be focused on the woman rather than the person assaulting her. Not sure what the answer to that is, though.
The routine-ness of sexual violence against sex workers is dreadful. In this country more than half of female sex workers have been raped and 75% physically assaulted by clients/pimps. It's horrific.
ETA: Vortex - hmm, tricky. I'm never sure what to do in that situation.
I would give it a bit. It was about a week or so later before I was able to get out thank yous after my wedding.
Yeah, I was thinking that. I'm just concerned because they left the flowers.
Left them at the wedding, or left them at their house during the wedding?
