Prostitution: Morally Wrong Not Criminal

Outline

Thesis Statement: There is the need to legalize prostitution that occurs between consenting adults because it is a victimless crime and should be decriminalized and regulated.

Prostitution is a victimless crime
1. Prostitutes do not commit harmful acts
2. Parties involved in prostitution participate voluntarily after consenting
Prostitution reduces sexual violence such as rape
1. Rape cases could reduce if commercial sex is made available for individuals in need of these services
Prostitution will always exist and its illegalization will not entirely eliminate the act
1. Illegalization of prostitution draws from Victorianism and religious beliefs, aspects that are not universal to humankind.
Prostitution is more about control than about sex; therefore, illegalization is not the most effective way of eliminating the act
1. Legislative efforts cannot tackle the issue effectively
Female prostitutes are the victims of stricter laws, yet male consumers are rarely punished
1. Female prostitutes form the largest majority of the participants who are arrested for committing prostitution
2. The government should stop focusing on making laws that are ineffective concentrate on mitigating dangerous crimes
By decriminalizing prostitution, the state passively contributes to the demand for prostitutes
1. Illegalizing prostitution implies that demand for commercial sex will increase; thereby aggravating prostitution instead of curbing the perceived vice.
The government should legalize prostitution is that it is an “old profession.”
1. There is no need to make laws that deprive the basic freedoms promised by their constitution
Making prostitution legal reduces other crime rates
1. States that have legalized prostitution have fewer crime rates than states that have criminalized commercial sex.
2. Making prostitution illegal implies that victimized prostitutes cannot report crimes committed against them
Legalizing prostitution will reduce the burden on the police force
Prostitution is a personal decision undertaken after a significant consideration; therefore decriminalization of prostitution serves to hurt their personal feelings
1. The government should not judge what is moral, but should leave the prostitutes to decide
Prostitution should be legal because it might considerably boost the economy
1. The total revenue from the sex industry approximately ranges between 7 to 9 billion dollars annually
2. legalizing prostitution is likely to create job opportunities such as prostitution to balance the jobs being lost the present economic recession
Health and safety issues regarding prostitution are two fundamental issues that demand the decriminalization of prostitution
Proper and obligatory health care offered by the government also lessens the risk of sexually transmitted diseases
Prostitution is morally wrong and should be between concerned people and God
1. The government should only channel its efforts in ensuring that the parties are safe
Conclusion

Introduction

With regard to decriminalization or legalization prostitution, some individuals strongly accept that it dignifies prostitute women. In addition, legalizing prostitution as other forms of work typically graces the alleged sex industry and all male consumers of the service (Flowers, 2011). Many concerned parties in the decriminalization of prostitution appear not to have reviewed the costs of authorizing prostitutes as genuine prostitution entrepreneurs (Ditmore, 2010). Persistent research programs and legislative analysis on the role of male consumers of prostitution are underway. According to various governments, United Nations Agencies and its reports, and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), the demand for prostitution by men for sexual abuse seems not to be the primary component of prostitution (Flowers, 2011). According to Lemisio (2008), these parties, further, refute the claim that prostitution entrenchment is because of the nature of men. Extremely little research on the relationship between prostitution and trafficking has focused on men consumers as the primary contributing factor to trafficking and sexual exploitation (Malarek, 2011). There are insufficient legislative measures that punish male customers. Lemisio (2008) points out that the right of men to purchase young children and women for prostitution remains unquestioned because of these legislative loopholes. This infers that with proper regulation of prostitution activities, issues such as trafficking and child abuse might significantly decline in numbers and incidences (Flowers, 2011). This study strongly supports the legalization of prostitution by reviewing the advantages associated to it. The study also attempts to censure the negative claims made by the supporters of the legalization of prostitution.

The first reason for decriminalizing prostitution is that it is a victimless crime (Lemisio, 2008). In fact, prostitution is not a crime. Flowers (2011) affirms that prostitutes do not inherently commit harmful act. Despite the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and other dangers due to prostitution, criminalization only accelerates instead of reducing these effects (Malarek, 2011). This is similar to the scenario that arose during the illegalization of alcohol in the United States. Raymond (2004) asserts that prostitution is a victimless crime in that nobody is injured or harmed from the actions related to it. Additionally, only complying and consenting adults are involved in it. The involved parties are responsible for their own actions, including the decisions they make about their relationship (Malarek, 2011). It should not be the government’s role to analyze everything that people’s actions, including prostitution. Granting the government the authority to illegalize consensual actions allows government officials to enact laws that they wish on citizens. Lemisio (2008) points out that the parties involved in prostitution voluntarily participate in it; hence, the government should only try to regulate but not get deeply involved. It is possible for the society to get rid of violent crimes by little intrusion on people’s liberty.

According to Sen & Ahuja (2009), legal prostitution reduces sexual violence such as rape. Various reports affirm that legalizing prostitution in the United States will significantly reduce the rate of rape by approximately 25 per cent (U.S Department of State Bureau of State Public Affairs, 2002). This reflects a reduction of approximately 25000 incidences annually. The report agrees with the hypothesis that the rate of rape could reduce if prostitution becomes readily available to individuals who need these services. Another study performed in Queensland indicated an approximated 150 per cent rise in the rape rate because of the closure of legal brothels in 1959 (Raymond, 2004). Other offenses against prostitutes by male consumers rose by 49 per cent. This study shows the dangers that might arise if the government fails to legalize prostitution. A significant step in averting rape is to decriminalize prostitution in brothels or by call girls (Malarek, 2011). However, the government needs to ensure that the involved parties are adults who voluntarily decided to participate in the trade.

Prostitution will always exist in some form and illegalization will never get the society or the entire world rid of it (Raymond, 2004). The outlawing of prostitution has its basis from Victorianism (Raymond, 2004). In this context, Victorianism refers to the attitudes, culture and art of the late 19^th century. The society viewed prostitution as action that was morally unjustified in the light of religious beliefs. However, the same society perceived prostitution as an essential evil to keep the uncontrollable desires of men from being taken out on reputable women (Sen & Ahuja, 2009). As such, prostitutes seemed to be in their own class from other women. Some researchers further justify that the society did not even include prostitutes in the class of women at all (Moses, 2006). This attitude still exists in the modern society and it is evident that it is creeping into the next generation (Weitzer, 2011). This justifies that commercial sex in any form, not only prostitution will always prevail in some form. The opponents of the legalization of prostitution strongly reject this attitude. Governments and their agencies continue spending large sums of money annually by arresting and imprisoning prostitutes and male consumers instead of funding education, housing and counseling programs (Sullivan, 2005).

According Flowers (2011), prostitution is frequently more about control than about sex. It is possible for one to wonder whether illegalization of prostitution eliminates it. The capability of a man to buy a woman’s body gives them the authority they have in the current society (Lemisio, 2008). Despite some men being powerful by being CEOs, judges and politicians, buying a woman for sex attracts many of them (Malarek, 2011). Prostitutes are vulnerable to various dangers but they cannot quit. Commercial sex workers, particularly those on the streets are the most raped than any other category of women. Clients, police officers and pimps are the regular rapists as affirmed by studies on street prostitution. In addition, male consumers of prostitution hold the power to pay or not pay for the sex services of a prostitute (Sen & Ahuja, 2009). Pimps have the power to threaten while appearing to care and pamper prostitutes. Such power held by the involved parties in the society hinders the eradication of prostitution through legislative mechanisms (U.S Department of State Bureau of State Public Affairs, 2002). Female prostitutes continue indulging in this morally wrong activity and on the other hand, men continue exercising their power over them. As such legislative efforts seem not be adequate to effectively eliminate prostitution.

The society appears to be reacting to the futile anti-prostitution laws by making stricter penalties, which are typically for the female prostitutes (Raymond, 2004). For example, in 2001, Texas past three strikes law, resulting in almost a third sentences of prostitution an offense (Flowers, 2011). Practically, many states across the world have enacted laws that punish both prostitutes and male consumers, but courts and police officers barely enforce these laws uniformly (Weitzer, 2011). According various researches, female prostitutes form the largest majority of the participants who are arrested for committing prostitution (Ditmore, 2010). On the other hand, the male counterparts are frequently given citations (Malarek, 2011). The same researches point out that majority of the arrested male consumers has less chances of proceeding to conviction. These male counterparts, when arrested, have higher chances of being fined by the criminal justice system rather than being imprisoned. The government needs to focus on rehabilitating current prostitutes as a way of regulating this behaviour if eradicating prostitution was its primary objective (Sen & Ahuja, 2009). The government, through the legislatures, appears not to have the desire to stop the number of women indulging in prostitution (U.S Department of State Bureau of State Public Affairs, 2002). Men seem to be capitalizing on the government’s weakness and continue benefiting from this supply of desperation. As such, the government should stop focusing on making laws that are ineffective concentrate on mitigating dangerous crimes.

By decriminalizing prostitution, the state passively contributes to the demand for prostitutes (Malarek, 2011). The more governments control prostitution and acquire tax from it, the more they increase the demand for female prostitutes. The demand for prostitutes is the primary driving force behind trafficking, implying that it is beneficial to analyze the laws and policies of destination countries (Sullivan, 2005). In this context, destination countries are the final countries where victims of human trafficking are taken. However, in many destination countries or cities, officials do not comfortably take responsibility for the problem of sex and prostitution trafficking (Sen & Ahuja, 2009). These officials do not also want to admit the accountability for creating demand. From this perspective, the wealthier destination regions have an upper hand on the debate on addressing trafficking and prostitution issues. According to Sen & Ahuja (2009), many victims of the prostitution or sex trafficking are usually from less powerful or poor nations that are vulnerable to influence by corrupt officials. These nations lack the political power to stop prostitution or sex trafficking (Sen & Ahuja, 2009). The only way to regulate sex trafficking by such poorer nations is through legalization. This enables the poor nations to evaluate the laws and policies of the influential nations that demand women for prostitution.

According to Ditmore (2010), another reason why the government should legalize prostitution is that it is an “old profession.” Prostitution has been in existence for many years, implying that laws criminalizing the selling of human body might also be the world’s oldest ways through which the government engaged in private matters (Malarek, 2011). The present governments all over the world should not make laws that deprive the basic freedoms promised by their constitution (Sen & Ahuja, 2009). According to historical and political studies about Greece, prostitution has not frequently been such a faux-pas, which is a violation of accepted social norms (Sullivan, 2005). In ancient Rome, Greece and Egypt, prostitution remained legal and acceptable (Malarek, 2011). These ancient cultures recognized prostitutes for offering necessary services to the community in which they existed. Prostitutes still need to be recognized, just like any other class of women, as during the ancient times (Malarek, 2011). The persistence of the government on fining and incarcerating prostitutes and male consumers forces people to resolve to take radical measures to acquire the service. This, in turn, escalates the crime level, particularly in circumstances where it is possible to avoid crime (Malarek, 2011).

Sen & Ahuja (2009) suggest that making prostitution legal reduces other crime rates. Based on various research carried out, it is apparently clear that nations that have legalized prostitution have fewer violent crimes as compared to those that have illegalized it (Raymond, 2004). In many countries, including United States, where prostitution is still illegal, prostitutes are usually beaten up, raped or abused (Sen & Ahuja, 2009). This is because these prostitutes do not have any organization to solve such issues. The victimized prostitutes cannot report such abuses and violations to the authorities since they will not get assistance (U.S Department of State Bureau of State Public Affairs, 2002). The authorities fail to investigate such matters due to the nature of a prostitute’s job (Moses, 2006). Moreover, criminals target both prostitutes and their male counterparts since they recognize that the authorities will not provide investigative services. For prostitutes to report such violations, they also need to report that they have been indulging in other unconstitutional activities (U.S Department of State Bureau of State Public Affairs, 2002). This further scares them to report abuses and rape to the authorities. Legalizing prostitution would significantly reduce these crimes since the victims will report and investigations might identify criminals. With regard to crime rates, the general benefit that will arise from legalizing prostitution is that there would be a radical decrease in the incidences of rape and violence (U.S Department of State Bureau of State Public Affairs, 2002).

According to the U.S Department of State Bureau of State Public Affairs (2002), legalizing prostitution will reduce the burden on the police force. Another problem that is overwhelmingly becoming extremely difficult to handle is the very few numbers of police officers available to avert serious crimes. Many police officers are busy trying to avert prostitution giving an opportunity to criminals to commit serious crimes (U.S Department of State Bureau of State Public Affairs, 2002). Some research point out that one in every ten police officers is engaged in vice-related cases. In addition, almost half of the incarcerated females are prostitutes. More shocking is the amount of cash used in try to avert prostitution. For instance, in Los Angeles alone, approximately 100 billion dollars finances the operations for combating prostitution (U.S Department of State Bureau of State Public Affairs, 2002). This amount of money is frighteningly high. Legalizing prostitution will significantly reduce this cost. Legalization will also lessen the burden on the police force enabling the government to save by employing fewer police officers. The saved amounts of cash can be channeled towards combating serious crimes such as terrorism, finding real criminals (Raymond, 2004). Presently, United States desperately requires more efforts added in combating serious crimes (U.S Department of State Bureau of State Public Affairs, 2002). The legalization of prostitution would protect the entire public and make the police department to be productive.

Another factor that strongly supports the legalization of prostitution is the prostitute’s feelings (Flowers, 2011). Frequent cases of trafficking and prostitution revolve around grown women as victims. These prostitutes usually have made the decision after an intensive consideration. Researches affirm that majority of the prostitutes enjoy their business and often refer to prostitution as a career. The same researches propose that some prostitutes are highly educated but prefer joining the sex industry as prostitutes. The enjoyment derived from prostitution is not only the sexual pleasure but also the better pay prostitutes earn from their job (Weitzer, 2011). It is only through legalization that prostitutes will continue experiencing such benefits and have their workers’ rights. The government should not judge what is moral, but should leave the prostitutes to decide (Flowers, 2011). From this perception, the government should reduce its engagement in matters involving illegalization. In fact, it is the government’s role to protect prostitutes and ensure they benefit from what prostitutes regard as a career (Raymond, 2004).

Another reason why prostitution should be legal is that it might considerably boost the economy (Lemisio, 2008). In the few past years, the economy was under recession, which implies that the countries’ economy has been declining. The total revenue from the sex industry approximately ranges between 7 to 9 billion dollars annually (Lemisio, 2008). Presently the government gets no share from this multi-billion dollar industry since it is illegal. Malarek (2011) affirms that the United States government needs to capitalize on such opportunities to boost the economy through legalization of prostitution. Moreover, legalizing prostitution is likely to create job opportunities such as prostitution to balance the jobs being lost the present economic recession (Sen & Ahuja, 2009). This, in turn, will stabilize the economy as a whole. The money earned by prostitutes helps in raising the living standards of prostitutes (Flowers, 2011). According to various reports on incomes of prostitutes, they earn approximately 200 dollars per hour, extremely higher than other occupations. Criminalizing prostitution will deny prostitutes and their families such income and drive them to poverty or committing theft crimes to survive (Sullivan, 2005).

Sen & Ahuja (2009) suggest that health and safety issues regarding prostitution are two fundamental issues that demand the decriminalization of prostitution. In this context, health and safety refers to the proper birth and health care regulation for prostitutes. They also include non-violent and safe working environment. The opponents argue that decriminalization of prostitution might increase the taxes on incomes since money will be required to finance health care and provide safety to prostitutes (Lemisio, 2008). This group of individuals also claims that legalizing prostitution is most likely to increase violence surrounding this ancient profession. However, decriminalization, along with proper regulation, will substantially reduce the figure of prostitutes with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (Weitzer, 2011). In addition, regulating prostitution will reduce the spread of such disease since prostitutes will be provided with a good health care.

According to Sen & Ahuja (2009), proper and obligatory health care offered by the government also lessens the risk of sexually transmitted diseases. For instance, prostitutes will have to undergo mandatory testing of STIs, including HIV/Aids, after a specified period. As such, prostitutes will remain free of these infectious diseases and cannot infect the primary consumers of the sexual services (Lemisio, 2008). On the other hand, proper birth control measures reduce the chances of pregnancy among prostitutes. The proponents of decriminalization affirm that health effects and exploitation are purely an outcome of the bad behaviour of pimps and consumers (Weitzer, 2011). Many people have also affirmed that regulating the power of the pimps will reduce the harms associated with illegal prostitution. However, some individuals feel that pimps should be banned to ensure higher levels of safety at work places (Malarek, 2011). For example, pimps frequently abuse, beat or even murder prostitutes. The state of Nevada took the first step by allowing each county to decide whether to decriminalize prostitution (Malarek, 2011). Churchill County voted in favor of legalization of brothels that were located far from main streets, churches and schools. Prostitutes in such brothels have identification cards that have fingerprints (U.S Department of State Bureau of State Public Affairs, 2002).

The decriminalization of prostitution can substantially improve or contribute positively to the society (Malarek, 2011). However, the opponents of legalization of prostitution feel that the process will provide room for violent behaviours. Some citizens have also expressed their concerns claiming that prostitutes earn a lot of money that is not taxed by the government (Malarek, 2011). As a result, prostitutes are most likely to become well off than those paying taxes. The supporters of legalization have disputed these arguments claiming that it reduces violent and sexual crimes against women by offering an outlet for individuals seeking the services of prostitutes (Flowers, 2011). A general and accepted notion is that the handling of a murder case of a prostitute is quite different from the handling of a murder case of a doctor, teacher or politicians (Sen & Ahuja, 2009). This is because prostitutes are not regarded under the same constitutional laws though they are part of the public. It is through legalization that these laws as other citizens of the public can cover them.

Prostitution is morally wrong and should be between concerned people and God (Malarek, 2011). The government should only channel its efforts in ensuring that the parties are safe (U.S Department of State Bureau of State Public Affairs, 2002). To Christians, prostitution might be an abuse for the purpose of sex. Christianity views prostitution as a nasty cheapening and misuse of the marvelous gift from God, whether voluntarily or involuntarily (Lemisio, 2008). Biblically, all who sin sexually, sin against their own bodies. The body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. This implies that people should flee away from sexual immorality. Many prostitutes are well aware of the biblical standpoint on prostitution, but they voluntarily choose to practice it. The government’s efforts in averting prostitution might not yield results since the parties involved have defied religious belief (U.S Department of State Bureau of State Public Affairs, 2002). It seems the government has no powers to rid the society of prostitution. The government can only control and leave the parties involved evaluate religious beliefs. Prostitutes and the consumers have the power to decide whether to live biblically or defy Christian. The government needs to realize its position in matters pertaining prostitution and stop wasting its time trying to legalize it (U.S Department of State Bureau of State Public Affairs, 2002).

In conclusion, prostitution should be legalized for the public to enjoy the above mentioned benefits. The benefits of legalizing prostitution include economic, health and social benefits. Legalizing prostitution reduces sexual violence such as rape. Prostitution will always exist in some form and legalization will never get the society or the entire world rid of it. The government is required to regulate prostitution and protect the rights of prostitutes and male consumers. The decriminalization of prostitution can substantially improve or contribute positively to the society. The proper and obligatory health care offered by the government also lessens the risk of sexually transmitted diseases. Legislative efforts by the government seem not be adequate to eliminate prostitution. By decriminalizing prostitution, the state passively contributes to the demand for prostitutes. The more governments control prostitution and acquire tax from it, the more they control the demand for female prostitutes. In many countries, including United States, where prostitution is still illegal, prostitutes are usually beaten up, raped or abused. From the aforementioned benefits, the government should embark on legalizing prostitution.

Annotated Bibliography

Ditmore, M. ( 2010). Prostitution and Sex Work. New York: ABC-CLIO.

Ditmore’s work is a scholarly review of the prostitution and sex work. This book has some relevance to the research. The author expresses his concerns regarding the legalization of prostitution. Ditmore analyses the various advantages related to the decriminalization of prostitution. However, his prime reason why prostitution should be legal is that the concerned parties are adults who must have analyzed the consequences of their actions. Ditmore argues that the government should not interfere with what prostitutes consider as rightful. The involved parties should be responsible for their actions; hence, the government needs to devote its time in solving issues that affecting the nation.

Flowers, R. (2011). Prostitution in the Digital Age: Selling Sex from the Suite to the Street. New York: ABC-CLIO.

R Barri has written various literary works on criminology. As such, his work, Prostitution in the Digital: Selling Sex from Suite to the Street used, as a reference in this research is relevant to the subject of study. Barri frequently referred to prostitution as the world’s oldest profession that still exists in the present world. In his work, Barri observes the need for government’s control on matters pertaining prostitution. This is relevant to the study since he suggests that it can be a source of revenue for cushioning the nation against economic recession. From Barri’s perspective, the government should control but it should not criminalize. This is because; by criminalizing, the government will fail to seize such opportunities.

Lemisio, M. (2008). Should prostitution be decriminalized in the pacific? Pros and cons. Journal of South Pacific Law, 101-104.

The author of this journal reviews certain advantages and disadvantages of decriminalizing prostitution in the pacific region. The relevance of this journal in this research can be seen from the perspective that it favors legalization of prostitution. Lemisio suggests that legalizing prostitution might significantly boost the economy and create job opportunities. The author supports his claim by affirming that prostitution is a victimless crime; hence, the government needs to capitalize by earning revenue.

Malarek, V. (2011). The Johns: Sex for Sale and the Men Who Buy It. New York: Skyhorse Publishing Inc.

The author of this work provides an insightful read on a very disconcerting matter in our society. This literary work is extremely relevant to this study. Malarek educates individuals on the various dangers of prostitution. However, he argues that this dangers can only be gotten rid of by legalizing prostitution. As such, the author argues for the legalization of prostitution to change the society. Malarek feels that there will be no equality between men and women since men feel they have the authority to buy sex from a woman. It is from, this argument that author criticizes governments trying to illegalize prostitution since it is beyond their own reach.

Moses, M. (2006). Understanding and Applying Research on Prostitution. National Institutte of Justice Journal, 23-27.

The journal offers an insightful perception of prostitution from a criminologist’s point of view. However, it is difficult to determine the author’s position on matters regarding legalization of prostitution. Moses critically analyses both the advantages and disadvantages of legalizing prostitution but fails to make a strong conclusion. The advantages of legalizing prostitution offered by the journal are some key relevant information used in the study. The author views prostitution as a victimless crime in which no one is injured. He also reviews other benefits such as control of STIs and economic boost that might arise from legalization of prostitution.

Raymond, J. (2004). Prostitution on demand: legalizing the buyers as sexual consumers. Violance Against Women, 98-101.

This journal contributes substantially to this research by providing relevant information about the legalization of prostitution. The author grounds his arguments on the benefits associated with legalization of prostitution as other jobs. Raymond feels that prostitution is morally wrong and the issue should be between prostitutes and God. However, he concurs with Lemisio, by claiming that Prostitution can result in economic benefits by creating job opportunities. Raymond asserts that prostitution is a victimless crime in that nobody is injured or harmed from the actions related to it. According to the author’s opinion, just like any other business, the government needs to decriminalize both prostitutes and consumers of sexual services as legal buyers and sellers.

Sen, S., & Ahuja, J. (2009). Trafficking in Women and Children: Myths and Realities. London: Concept Publishing Company.

The authors review the links between the trafficking of women and prostitution. One of the main outcomes of prostitution is trafficking. This reveals how relevant this piece of work is to the research. There is little research about trafficking and prostitution. As a result, Sen and Ahuja feel this gap by providing a shrewd literature. The research points out that men are the key contributors to prostitution yet legislations always favor them. According to Sen & Ahuja, many victims of the prostitution or sex trafficking are usually from less powerful or poor nations that are vulnerable to influence by corrupt officials. In his opinion, these nations lack the political power to stop prostitution or sex trafficking.

Sullivan, M. (2005). What happens when prostitution becomes work? Coalition Against Trafficking in Women, 1-9.

Sullivan reviews the benefits that might arise from the legalization of prostitution. However, the author also grounds his arguments on preventing women trafficking. Sullivan asserts that the demand for prostitutes is the primary driving force behind trafficking, implying that it is beneficial to analyze the laws and policies of destination countries. However, the author strongly proposes that governments should legalize and control prostitution. Sullivan relates the current prostitution to the old times of Greece. He concludes that prostitution will always exist; therefore, legalizition might be beyond government’s reach. This is extremely relevant to the study by suppporting the legalization of prostitution.

U.S Department of State Bureau of State Public Affairs. (2002). The link between prostitution and sex trafficking. Journal of Global Affairs, 30-90.

The United States Department of State Bureau of State Public Affairs also contributes considerably to the legalization of prostitution by reviewing the connection between sex and prostitution trafficking. The department claims that legalization of prostitution will radically reduce sexual violence resulting from trafficking. The government appears not to have the desire to stop the number of women indulging in prostitution. The victimized prostitutes during trafficking cannot report such abuses and violations to the authorities since they will not get assistance. The department also points out that many police officers are busy trying to avert prostitution giving an opportunity to criminals to commit serious crimes.

Weitzer, R. (2011). Legalizing Prostitution: From Illicit Vice to Lawful Business. New York: NYU Press.

Weitzer is a criminologist by profession and through his work. He provides a scholarly review of sex industry. The author traces the history of legalization of prostitution by relating his work to the state of Nevada. Weitzer affirms that some regions of Nevada have legalized brothels where consumers can acquire the services lawfully. He reviews the benefits from the legalization of prostitution in the state of Nevada and feels that other parts of the world should trail in the steps of Nevada.

References