Thank you for this well thought out and reasoned view.

However, I would liek to mention that Petra Östergren's research has been contested in many areas. There is no evidence of the discussions she claims to have had with the alleged "20 sex workers", no sample declarations and no mentioning of the questiosn they were asked.

Legalized prostitution is possible, at least in fiction. SEE: "Naked in Death", by J.D. Robb. Set in the year 2058, it follows the adventures of Lt. Eve Dallas, New York Police and Security Dept., who is investigating a series of brutally murdered "Licensed Companions" (legalized prostitutes). The issue of prostitution, legalized and non-, is thoroughly debated and investigated.

Petra’s research is putting forward the views of the prostitutes caught in the crossfire of the legislation, which unfortunately, some will suffer yes. As the transition happens, this is inevitable. She does not specify what help there is for sex workers to find another means of income, and indeed, some will find it almost impossible if they are using drugs, or have an alcohol problem. Many prostitutes do not start out having these problems, but they end up abusing substances to cope with the work, and then they have to carry on in sex work in order to feed a habit, because normal work is not possible, thereby creating the trap of a downward spiralling loop. Therefore, the ones who are in the system, dependent on sex work to survive, will say that they don’t agree with the new laws. There is a saying, “you can’t see the cage until you are free”.

I would be interested in knowing exactly what help is available to these women. I sounds harsh, but just because some, already caught in a system that is harmful, find it difficult in the short-term, does not mean to say that the system is right. This legislation is sending out a message for the longer term, and many countries will be looking to see the results.

An example of looking at the bigger picture. When it was found that smoking was harmful, and the people who had to breathe other’s smoke finally put their foot down, and legislation was introduced to ban smoking in public places, of course, in the short-term, many people who smoked, suffered. (No, not the suffering of a prostitute already marginalized, and being further marginalized – this is for comparison). But the legislation sent out the message that, yes, it’s tough giving up, and yes, it will take a long time to change something so established, but the message was clear – it had to change.

From what I have read, the longer-term benefits for society, indeed, eventually if the world looks to the Swedish model and the Scottish studies, that the buying of a woman’s body, particularly one who is strung-out on drugs, and/or is financially vulnerable, will be illegal for a man to abuse that woman’s vulnerability, and this is the right message to send out. Chase the men, make them think about the harm they are doing, change the system and support women in a positive way, so that women don’t have to feel they need to sell sex to cope, and send out that message that men have no right to buy into the mind-set of entitlement to a woman’s body for money . If the men really want to help the prostitutes, they can put the money they would have spent on her body into a fund for getting them out of such a soul-destroying world.

Men need to change their thinking and if this legislation is what it takes to change a very established way of thinking, then so be it.

Another comparison -Legalizing drugs will not be the right way to go in the long-term, just because in the short-term some say that illegality forces people to do more illegal things. The bigger picture is that society in general functions better when people are not focused on getting high, nor being high. Drug culture mentality is also endemic, and needs to change too, but that’s another essay. Idealism is so easy to talk about, much harder to apply.

There seems to be much more evidence on the side of making the johns the criminals, rather than the prostitute, and much more evidence that legalizing prostitution just makes men abuse women even further

I think you've all missed the issue, prostitution isn't just a women's issue. It's an issue that affects men, women and children and it's primarily a problem of poverty and lack of resources. I dont agree that we should be able legislate the actions of any consenting adults. A man or woman of age should be 'free' to make any choice they feel is valid for their happiness even if they are wrong. I do, believe, however that societies should do more to give people (women especially) alternative avenues to achieve success. Judging by the previous posts, it sounds like the subject takes on a different light if we speak of middle-class women who simply desire nicer clothes and cars (more ideal) rather than poor downtrodden women who are abuse by pimps and johns. The legalization (creates more whatever) argument is often used against those who oppose marijuana, abortion and gay marriage. Freedom either exists or it doesn't.

personally, I think prostitution is a get rich quick scheme. I also think those same people just love having sex (sex addicts)and make good money in the process is just icing on the cake. Think about it. We've all seen porn movies, those women and men are happy, why because they get to do what they love and get paid in great abundance for it. The only difference is that those prostitutes dont or did not have the opportunity to make it to a playboy, hot network, etc... it is what it is, there are sex addicts in the world, a great deal of them. Those same sex addicts just want to have there cake and eat it to. What do I say about it... there is nothing one can do. Whether they stand in a corner to get p/u or do it more privately, through emails, letters, or phone call, its going to happen. Its out of the laws hands. Its like cigarettes, Alcohol, and guns, as long as its entering or being made in the Country, its going to be sold and bought.

Sorry
gil