Legalizing Prostitution

5 Pages 1252 Words

Legalizing Prostitution page 2
The legalization of prostitution, the world’s oldest profession, is an extremely controversial topic. National Public Radio’s Justice Talking held a live debate on March 4, 2002 between two women with different opinions on the subject of legalizing prostitution. Christine Stark, a survivor of prostitution and porn, a current feminist activist, co-founder of both PISSED Women and Escape (both are educational organizations working to end prostitution and pornography), writer and producer of a video documentary entitled Voices from the Underground: Survivors of Prostitution Speak Out, is currently working toward her MFA in Writing, and teaches art to prostituted, and battered women. Carol Leigh, a prostitute, activist, and artist for the past twenty years has written and performed political satire as 'Scarlot Harlot,' a woman who describes her experiences in massage parlors. She has also received awards for her documentaries, music videos, narratives and her public access television show. This webmistress of the Prostitutes’ Education Network has created a street project offering health information to prostitutes on the streets.
In Christine’s opinion, prostitution is “organized rape for profit.” She also expresses that she believes the vast majority of prostitutes want to leave the business, but are coerced into it. Christine believes they are victims, and are hurt when they are bought. In opposition, Carol doesn’t find it is problematic to be sexual with a lot of people if you so choose to. She believes it should be a legal business and follow OSHA regulations, and fair labor and business codes. Christine argues that “Prostitution is NOT work. It is violence against women and children”

Legalizing Prostitution page 3
The women disagree with the kind of men that buy prostitutes as well. According to Christine Stark, men who buy prostitutes are “absolute pigs,” a...