By Ainsley Daniels
The sex workers' advocacy group Sweat is seeking an interdict against what it says are illegal arrests of prostitutes.
IOL asked readers: "Should prostitution be legalised?"
Of the 647 people who voted in the poll, 51 percent (331 votes) said "Yes"; 38 percent (248 votes) said "No"; and 11 percent (68 votes) said "Who cares?"
Some reader comments:
Don: As far as I'm aware prostitution is illegal, so how can arresting a person for prostitution be violating their rights? As for legalising Prostitution, that's a definite no, no. We're already sitting with horrendous AIDS numbers & now they want us to make it even easier & legal to spread it even more! We'll also promote the illegal "import" of people for the "trade"..
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Duncan: If - and it's a big if - it can be regulated properly (at least on balance) then it should be legalised. Prostitutes and their clients are going to do it whether it's legal or not. By legalising prostitution hopefully it makes prostitutes less vulnerable to attack from clients, pimps and rogue elements of the police.
Lejane: Not an easy one this, but at the same time, prostitutes are being arrested whilst the men who seek them out get away with it more often than not, so there does seem to be some imbalance in the law. All in all, a victimless crime, really, so I don't see any major reason for not looking at the possibility of legalising it.
Graham F: They say that prostitution is the oldest profession in the world (except politicians who are similar ) and it will not be stopped. Legal brothels should be set up , controlled and checked for health & cleanliness and the workers paid. They would need to conform to all laws that other businesses do.
Polar Bear: Prostitution should be legalised. Then health matters should be easier to monitor, prices stabilised and with any luck maybe we'd get the odd January sales too.
Rob: It didn't work in Amsterdam where they are closing brothels down. Why would it work here where we have only a fraction of their control capacity. Target the demand side which is driving prostitution and trafficking
Lou Anne: Whether it is legalised or not, it will continue. I do not understand why these people cannot hold down regular jobs and study towards a career. As far as I'm concerned, my tax money should not be used to finance this industry. According to a recent article these women earn in excess of R10 000pm. This means that they can afford to pay for medical care and fines . They know the risks and should be solely responsible for ALL the consequences.Our tax money is better put to use to improve housing, education and healthcare for people honestly cannot afford it. [ Edited by IOL ]
Read more comments here.
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