Victimless Crime?

I am not arguing for legalizing prostitution, but I think there is something wrong with this NYT Op Ed claiming that it isn't a victimless crime.

Whose theory is it that prostitution is victimless? It’s the men who buy prostitutes who spew the myths that women choose prostitution, that they get rich, that it’s glamorous and that it turns women on.

But most women in prostitution, including those working for escort services, have been sexually abused as children, studies show. Incest sets young women up for prostitution — by letting them know what they’re worth and what’s expected of them. Other forces that channel women into escort prostitution are economic hardship and racism.


OK, a lot of that seems plausible, at least for some sex workers. Usually though, there is an addiction connection. Most importantly, who is it that gets punished by anti-prostitution laws? Mainly it is the sex workers themselves.

The authors, Melissa Farley and Victor Malarek don't discuss exactly how they plan to deal with that complication.

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