An inconclusive conclusion...

I am utterly speechless! And I thought I had made a beautiful discovery by describing to you Sweden's amazing achievement to wipe out prostitution! Once more, it has been proven that there is never one side to the coin. Soon Lee, in his comment below, very cleverly directed me to this link: http://www.thelocal.se/19102/20090427/

This article discusses how Sweden comes first in Europe in the number of reported cases of rape! I am shocked! 

So, that is why states are so indecisive on the issue of the legalisation of prostitution: to legalise prostitution and encourage people to pay for sex, hence encouraging sex trafficking as well (see Netherlands, Thailand, etc, etc, etc) or to criminalise prostitution resulting in a decrease in sex trafficking and increase in rape cases (e.g. Sweden)? Or does rape have nothing to do with the legalisation of prostitution? Are they simply two problems that need to be tackled separately without assuming that as one decreases the other increases?

It seems like this discussion could go on forever. All arguments seem to have a counter-argument, and they are all valid! The problem with this issue is that prostitution has its passionate supporters due to its nature, but also its hateful critics. My research has shown me that the best way to slowly extinguish this "tumour" of society, its main victims being the vulnerable, is through welfare strategies that will ensure that the potential victims will never have to resort to prostitution or be sold and forced to succumb. This has been one of the main concerns in the work of UNICEF. Talking in 2000, the executive director of the organisation, Carol Bellamy, outlined the problem and acknowledged the efforts done by certain countries to fight against this problem. For a very interesting brief on her speech and more specific examples, please log onto http://www.unicef.org/newsline/00pr05.htm. The governments around the world should make education and elimination of poverty their priorities. Close inspections to poor forgotten areas, educating children – not only little boys, but also the girls – and providing families with the necessary tools to lead a better life HAVE to go to the top of the list. Corruption and blind eyes are no longer an option in certain parts of the world, but those in power do not seem to recognise this…

I was really hoping to get to the root of this problem, but it just does not seem possible! This issue could be a whole dissertation and it requires getting to the root of the problems of every individual nation. I do wish I could provide valid answers to all our questions, but, as always, the conclusion cannot be one-sided. Please do provide your comments, with any further points that I haven’t made or with any ideas!

Take care x