The proposed ban on prostitution

THE ARGUMENTS FOR:

Prostitution demeans and degrades both those who practise it and their clients. No decent society should tolerate it.

It leads to the trafficking and exploitation of women and even children from Eastern Europe and Third World countries. Many are treated little better than sex slaves.

Profits made by the entrepreneurs of what is called the 'sex trade' are recycled into other criminal activities. The links with the drugs trade and protection rackets are well known.

The most effective way to outlaw prostitution is to make it a criminal offence to pay for sex. Punish the client, not the prostitute or rent boy. Cut off the demand and the supply will dry up.

It is hypocritical to preach morality and tolerate prostitution.

THE ARGUMENTS AGAINST:

We live in a market economy. Sex is a commodity to be sold like any other.

Prostitution has existed throughout history. That's why it is known as 'the oldest profession'. A ban goes against the grain of human nature.

While 'sex trafficking' is deplorable, many prostitutes (both male and female) choose that way of life willingly. They are not forced into the trade, but see it as a way of making use of their assets.

Any ban would prove every bit as ineffective as the war on drugs has proved to be. It would serve merely to drive prostitution underground or into dark corners.

An unworkable ban would make the condition of prostitutes worse and more dangerous. It would also lead to corruption of the police. If both prostitute and client denied that there had been a cash transaction, cases would never come to court.