Legalised brothels good?

[Stuart]

In light of the programme currently on Channel 4 ("A WI Lady's Guide To Brothels"), in which a couple of WI members investigate legalised brothels, I wondered what you think.

I personally think that while I wouldn't necessarily visit one, legalised brothels are a good thing.

My reasons? The protection of the Girls and the customers.

Regardless of whether we view the sale of sex as a good thing or a bad thing, it will happen. Any attempt to regulate it will just push it underground.

The girls at the moment often have little or no protection. If a punter has a disease or gets violent, they could be left seriously injured or dead. Even if they don't, they *could* pass on STIs to other punters.

If the government legalise brothels, they can put in place measures to ensure that the rights and safety of both the girls and the clients are enforced.

I am not saying that legalising brothels will cause the underground sex industry to disappear. I don't think it will. It will ensure that the girls who do work legally are protected though, and it may limit the growth of the underground sex industry.

I personally think that the law in this area is an indication of our rather backward attitude to sex in this country. We seem think that sex is something dirty, and should be buried/forgotton about.

So, what do you guys think? Should we legalise brothels? Please vote yes or no, and state your reasons in the thread.

[Halcyon]

I find it sad that people have to sell their bodies in such a way but I can see that legalised brothels would help to protect the girls working there and also hopefully ensure protection for all against STI's, and the overall safety of all involved.

I'd hope the brothels would be monitored and regularly checked to make sure they conform to the legal requirements.

[punky]

Voted yes, same reasons as you - protection of the clients and protection of the girls.

As George Carlin said: Selling is legal. Sex is legal. So why isn't selling sex legal? How can it be illegal to sell something that's perfectly legal to give away (excepting copyleft issues I suppose).

Some people just can't attract the opposite sex for whatever reason. Why should they be denied it because they can't get women paralytically drunk in bars like others do? Why should anyone have to, come to think of it?

Edit: Not seen the show, but these are my opinions generically.

[eth01]

tbh i found it very interesting. i've never seen how Amsterdam do it

not the pervy way :P

[danielf]

Who voted 'no' then. and why?

[moaningmags]

I voted yes.
If it's made safer and taken off the streets it may not be such an attraction for the junkies and lowlifes.
They'll never stop prostitution.
If brothels were legalised it would mean medical health checks, proper wages and more safety for the girls and guys that do it.

[Russ]

Originally Posted by danielf

Who voted 'no' then. and why?

Me. Most brothels are hygienic enough these days. Making it all legal won't necessarily make women safer, there'll always be an underground market.

[Maggy J]

Maybe Russ but it will make life safer for the majority...

[Russ]

Originally Posted by Maggy J

Maybe Russ but it will make life safer for the majority...

When I used to work for Swansea police their attitude what they knew what was going on in these places but as long as they were clean and looked after the girls they're turn a blind eye.

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by Maggy J

Maybe Russ but it will make life safer for the majority...

That's actually my point. There is no protection for the girls ATM, so even we can offer protection to some (which legalised brothels would), that's better than the current situation, isn't it?

After all, if you are going to apply the some people still won't be safe, so we might as well not bother attitude Russ appears to be displaying, we might as well abandon all the Health and Safety legislation, because people still manage to die even at organisations following the rules.

[Anonymouse]

One more activity for the government to tax? On that basis I'm surprised they haven't done it before now.

But the role this could play in reducing the spread of STIs, to say nothing of protecting the girls from pimps, drugs and the like, can't be argued with. If prostitution became a job like any other, they could quit at any time. Plus there would be age checks - no more underage sex workers. They should go for it.

[Russ]

Originally Posted by Stuart C

After all, if you are going to apply the some people still won't be safe, so we might as well not bother attitude Russ appears to be displaying, we might as well abandon all the Health and Safety legislation, because people still manage to die even at organisations following the rules.

Completely missing my point. Legalising brothels, what would that acheive which doesn't already happen now? Think about it: the police are aware of these places and know how safe and clean they are. The policy seems to be as long as they stay that way they will be tolerated. Making them legal, what will that acheive? Making them safe and clean.

[Xaccers]

Sorry? How do the police know how safe and clean they really are?
Do they sneak in during the night and test all the women?
Do they have regular inspections?

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by Russ B

Completely missing my point. Legalising brothels, what would that acheive which doesn't already happen now? Think about it: the police are aware of these places and know how safe and clean they are. The policy seems to be as long as they stay that way they will be tolerated. Making them legal, what will that acheive? Making them safe and clean.

You are assuming that the police know where all the illegal brothels are. I don't doubt that they know where some of them are, and I don't doubt that those ones are checked.

But, don't forget that someone who is operating an illegal business may not going to be happy having the old bill sniffing round.

Finally, do the police have the power to check that the girls are using Condoms? Do they have the power to ensure that the girls are tested regularly? No? Can they ensure that the girls are adeqiately protected in the event of attack? Sort of. They can recommend installation of Alarms (and indeed, have), but beyond that, the only time they can get involved is if it has already happened.

Legalising brothels would enable the the authorities (probably the local council) to ensure that the Girls are clean and use condoms. It would also be able to ensure that suitable protection is installed (such as alarms). They could introduce a whole load of protections and if the brothel owner does not implement them, they can close the brothel. Same as they currently do with pubs.

[Russ]

Originally Posted by Stuart C

You are assuming that the police know where all the illegal brothels are. I don't doubt that they know where some of them are, and I don't doubt that those ones are checked.

But, don't forget that someone who is operating an illegal business may not going to be happy having the old bill sniffing round.

Finally, do the police have the power to check that the girls are using Condoms? Do they have the power to ensure that the girls are tested regularly? No? Can they ensure that the girls are adeqiately protected in the event of attack? Sort of. They can recommend installation of Alarms (and indeed, have), but beyond that, the only time they can get involved is if it has already happened.

Legalising brothels would enable the the authorities (probably the local council) to ensure that the Girls are clean and use condoms. It would also be able to ensure that suitable protection is installed (such as alarms). They could introduce a whole load of protections and if the brothel owner does not implement them, they can close the brothel. Same as they currently do with pubs.

So if you don't know how the police know if the girls are using condoms how do you think the council will?