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CTV News | Your Say for Wednesday Oct. 7: Should prostitution be legalized?

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Home : Canada AM : Your Say for Wednesday Oct. 7: Should prostitution be legalized?

Your Say for Wednesday Oct. 7: Should prostitution be legalized?

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Date: Wednesday Oct. 7, 2009 6:58 AM ET

 Should prostitution be legalized? ADD YOUR COMMENTS BELOW

  • Tuesday's poll result: Do you have a bad habit?
  • Yes: 82%
  • No: 18%

Comments are now closed for this story

Greg in Cambridge
said

When the law now allows two males or two females to legally marry each other, what's wrong with a man and a woman having sex in private, even if one of them pays for it? Nothing as far as I can see.

scott nova scotia
said

It has worked in other countries when legalizing prostitution. If it makes it safer for those involved, why not? They are going to do it anyway.


Ray, N.B.
said

Nothing about prostitution is right even if it is popular or common. It is wrong and downgrades our social fabric and should not be legalized. It will increase other kinds of crime and is an assault on women. Present laws should be more strongly enforced .


Tom in London
said

Leagalize it and then we can collect more income tax. A lot of lost revenue exists here.


Jane
said

We have to work to eliminate the shame that is associated with sex in this country. Legalizing prostitution would be a great step.


Anne White
said

Just watched the lady from the Catholic organization arguing against the legalization of prostitution. She should be spending her time weeding out all the priests who are abusing children, instead of telling adults what they can and cannot do sexually! Until the church can solve their own problem, they have no right to preach morality to anyone else.


Sherry in NL.
said

Yes, prostitution should be legalized. The safety of the women will be increased as they will have a more "controlled" environment.


christine
said

Legalizing prostitution could give women a safe place to practise their trade and also access to medical care. Rather than having prostitutes on street corners, they could be in a safe location allowing clients to be screened for violence and the women to be screened for diseases. Let's get rid of the pimps . Isnt that where the violence against the women starts?

Christine, Ottawa


Kate
said

I think that no matter what we do, prostitution is going to be around anyway. So we might as well make it legal so that it can be regulated and the safety of those involved is a priority.


Pat
said

Our laws are archaic and just plain stupid....other countries have shown it can be organized and controlled. License them, pass medicals including drug tests.... get them off the streets and into buildings.

Once they are registered the homes can and should be monitored. The problem with monitoring is our gov't has an abysmal record and must be compelled to do their jobs.


Aven
said

Like it or not society actually benefits from prostitutes. Men need sex and I'm afraid if they can't get it consensually, paid or not, they may end up taking it by force.

It's basic biology - hormones can be a very powerful persuasion. Just look at what they can make you do (affairs, priests/pedophiles, teenage sex, etc).


Tracy
said

Prostitution is the oldest profession in the world. Trying to stop it is like trying to force a dog not to bark. Women, whether they chose this profession or not, should be protected...and so should the people who choose to use their services. Sex, and all of its components is a natural instinct for all living beings. Having a safe outlet for those who need it, and those who provide it is something we as a compassionate country should have.

Patricia
said

Prostitution has always and will always be around. If it is legalized, it can be regulated. This means protection for those involved. Screening of clients for prevention of STIs or AIDS and prevention of abuse are some benefits.

Another advantage could be a workers union protecting their rights and maybe even providing insurance and assistance with any problems that may have gotten them into this profession in the first place. What people choose to do with their bodies is for them to decide. Why not keep them safe too?


Beth Rollins
said

Just because something is going to happen anyways doesn't mean it should be legalized. Grow-ops happen, hate crimes happen; the same argument and claims being made to legalize prostituion can be used to legalize them. To minimize morals because you don't have them is just as bad as a hate crime.


Joe Krmpotich
said

There are many benefits to legalized prostitution. The benefits include allowing law enforcement agencies to respond to more important crimes, freeing justice systems from nuisance cases, helping women who are trapped by prostitution, and preventing teens from being ensnared into prostitution.

Joe - Sault Ste. Marie


herb
said

It should be legallized, a monthly health card so the buyer can check for health of provider. And taxes could be collected. As self employed people they would also be required to pay into the CPP. There are a multitude of other things that can be done to make the oldest profession.."Fit in" and be a part of society..

Herb, Ontario


June McDougald
said

I just finished reading "The Johns" by Victor Malarek and that confirms my belief that it is the johns who should be criminalized.

It is their demand for paid sex that is creating all the problems. They are the ones who cruise around vulnerable neighbourhoods and countries looking to rent womens' and little girls' bodies. Why should we allow them to slink away into the night like a bunch of slimy slugs?

June M.


suz
said

What is the difference between being a prostitute and marrying for money? That is the "oldest profession" and ultimate meal ticket -- isn't it time for this country to end its hypocrisy?


Stacie
said

It would be quite interesting to see someone collecting Employment Insurance for lack of work available, or quit because of unfit working conditions or would it be listed as seasonal employment as it's too cold to stand on corners in the winter? How about later in life when its pension time- collecting a pension from your CAREER as a prostitute. Legalized prostitution would just lead to more problems with the youth of today - Its hard enough to raise your children with values and integerity now as it with all that is going wrong with this world.


Andrea in Winnipeg
said

Nothing will ever make prostitution go away, it's human nature. What we can do is protect the workers and their customers by legalizing and regulating prostitution, making sure that the workers are of legal age, tested regularly for STI's and protected from abuse.


Ken Texmo
said

Prostitution should be legalized to make the trade safer and cleaner for the public. There is always going to be "street-walkers" because some have no choice, but it certainly will help with the problem of aids. It will be just like the booze trade. Prohibition made drinking legal, but there are still "Bootleggers" selling booze from their house, taxi, or whereever because the still is a "need" for them. It will just the same with legalized prostitution--there will be activity outside the law.


Murray
said

All our laws are based on the bible and by going against them have overwhelming consequences. People think today's divorce rate is high, legalize prostitution and see what happens at that time. I say no.


Chris in Toronto
said

Prostitution does not make our society a better place. The legal framework is abolitionist. Canada should maintain this course. The issue is not about personal freedoms to the access of "services" or make immoral acts "safer", it is about what our society strives to be.

Prostitution (gain for sex) is legal as an act between two consenting people in privacy. What is illegal is the promotion, enlargement, and franchising of prostitution. You cannot treat it as a business or service and help it grow. Keep it this way.

Donna Mulherin
said

Morally we, as a society have an obligation and should be compelled to protect the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

Over 90% of these women/men come from sexually abusive backgrounds and are treated with less compassion and respect than we would allot an animal. Regulation could address safety, health and drug addiction issues. Canada have girls disappearing and being spirited into this trade, never to be heard from again (could be your daughter or son) and introduced into a life of rape, drugs, severe health risks and literally are enslaved by highly proficient crime organizations.

Germany has enormously lowered its nations incidents of rape; controls the spread of venereal diseases; eliminates physical abuse and addresses the psychological needs of these HUMAN beings. Also, by removing the pimps, illicit drugs and their use in a community; which may eventually affect a member of your family, allowing more police involvement. Morality or Judgement, really what is the issue here? This industry will never go away so, as with any issue, we need to work with those that are at risk and simply ask..How can we help?


Fred - Brandon MB
said

Prostitution is simply a demeaning exploitation of women. Maybe some women are fine with that, but I'm not. If you think legalization will eliminate the explotation of women prostitutes, then you are sadly misguided. It will just make things worse. And I don't like the prospect of Canada becoming a sex tourism destination. You can't fight crime by making it legal.


Evan
said

Legalizing Prostitution will deny money to organized crime, will allow us to tax and regulate the trade and will stop hookers ending up in the morgue.


Florina, Kingston
said

Yes, it should be legalized! It is unrealistic to believe that we can eradicate the oldest “profession” in the world by punishing those who practice it…The only thing that this frame of mind did, was to push it underground from were the abuses and atrocities are harder to be seen. The people working and living in this world should be treated with dignity and have the right to be protected.


Rob
said

It has not worked in other countries. These other countries have regretted it with their prostitution districts degrading into slums. When prostitution and drugs are legalized it does not stop street trade, the cheaper prostitutes and drug dealers remain on the streets - problem not solved.There is absolutely nothing good for our society in prostitution.

It is bad for women, bad for men, bad for marriages and bad for singles. There is nothing redeemable about it to make it worthy of legalization or acceptance. You can't make a law based on a few exceptions of strong, healthy women choosing to be in the profession; the vast majority have been abused and coerced into it; legalizing it wouldn't help.

Robert Ramsay, Granby QC
said

While I don´t like the idea of prostitution, as it degrades the dignity of the persons involved, I do think that legalizing it will do something to protect the prostitutes. Although, there should be parameters.

First, anyone wanting to be a prostitute should be required to get a licence: that is, they should go to City Hall or wherever and declare publically their intention.

Second, they should be required to be checked regularly by a physician to make sure that they have not picked up, nor passed on any diseases.

Third, they should be limited as to where they can practice their chosen trade. Work within the parameters that are laid down and they receive full proctection of the law. Violate any of the parameters and they get the full force of the law thrown at them.


Anne
said

So many argue in favour of legalization. Make it a credible "profession". Tell me, would you want your daughter or sister engaged in this? If not, well, why ever not? It doesn't harm anyone right? If there weren't "johns", there wouldn't be prostitutes. Let's rather address why, in our supposedly advanced society, human beings still spend money to do something so base since without an emotional bond it's no different than acting like monkeys.


Joe in Regina
said

Whether to legalize prostitution or not is a question of values. Do we condone an industry where flesh is marketed or do we find such selling as repugnant in our social fabric? I’m still with keeping sex within the family as sacred and so I would oppose legalization.


violet
said

Yes why not legalize prostitution. It would be much safer for women if we have brothels then there is no need for pimps. We have enough land outside the city limits where a brothel could be open and out of the eyes of our the little ones. If the brothels excited then we would not have young girls on the street hooking because men would not be scared of being arrested they would have a safe place to go and women would have a safe place to work. Look at Nevada.


Brian Seaman
said

Prostitution should be legalized, but regulated, like it is in the Netherlands. Prostitutes should have to register, pay taxes, and submit to regular health check-ups.


Scott in Laval Quebec
said

Absolutely, it's the oldest profession in the world, and will be around long after we're gone. While we're at it we should also legalize all drugs. They did it in Amsterdam, now they rent out their prison space to other counties, because of the low crime rate. I guess their gang members had to get regular jobs.


Ruth in Burlington
said

We need to protect these woman. We can debate all day whether prosititution is right or wrong, but either way, it does exist, it has since the beginning of time, and it will not go away, so let's protect the people in this industry. It is the right thing to do.


kizzy
said

Where have all our moral standards gone? Sadly, people are "so politically correct" now, that all morality has been abandoned. Obviously, we have taken freedom and privilege to mean that we no longer need to abide by common decency.


Beth
said

The money that these women make would be better than having them on Welfare. They would be paying taxes and getting the money for what they did instead of giving it to their pimps and then having us support them, while they are on welfare. It would also be safer for these women. and I think I would prefer a home across from me where the men/women visit, have their fun and then immediately leave instead of a home where there is drugs, loud music and noise all night long.


george in Manitoba
said

It already is! It's euphemistically called Politics.


Rob Low
said

What people don't understand is that you can't just legalize things because they've always been there and always will be, otherwise we would legalize everything from murder to incest to pedophilia to tax evasion.

Of course prostitution and murder aren't the same, but the argument is the same which is why you can't use it. A society legalizes something when the majority of people decide something is good for the society and better off than criminalizing it. A strong, healthy society does not legalize something based on what a few people want or because it's going to happen anyway.This will not lead to health or protection.

There will still be prostitutes on the streets, especially the younger more oppressed ones. There will be even more STDs and pregnancies because more people will engage in the activity because it is no longer illegal and more available. More women will go into it for the money rather than becoming nurses, teachers, lawyers and so on - how does that benefit our society in the long term. This needs to stay illegal in Canada for the common good of us all.


Grace, Ontario
said

Yes, and why not? It is the oldest profession in the world. It's always been a fact of life. As long as the girls are regularily medically checked - I personally see nothing wrong.


Dawn Winnipeg
said

If prostitution is legalized, who do the 'Johns" pay? How would anyone know it is 'REALLY' safe? Would my tax dollar pay for the building of the houses needed for this trade and/or running of these institutions? Would there be a public registry? What would be any age requirements or limitations as for alcohol and cigarettes? Who would be responsible for the unexpected pregnancies and raising of said children?


Jo in Barrie
said

Yes or No? I'm not sure. Would legalization help to protect vulnerable & at-risk women? If so, yes. If legalization would enable further victimization of these women, then no.


Nicola
said

The highest rates of human trafficking are found in those countries where prostitution has been decriminalized, because once the job market opens up, those who live off the proceeds of prostitution need to start recruiting in order to meet the demand. Do we really believe that healthy women voluntarily "choose" prostitution as a career?

NicolaSpruce Grove, AB


Francine Butler
said

This morning I tuned in as I have for almost 40 years. Sometimes things are commented on and I do not always agree with point of view. Today it was reported that the Catholic Church is corrupt. Let me tell you that the Catholic Church is not corrupt but yes some people within its walls are corrupt. I hope you understand the difference between the Institution and its members. My faith has brought me a long way as it has my ancestors. Please be more sensitive to the faithful. Francine Butler


Art In Victoria
said

After thousands of years of prostitution , it's about time to legalize it. Simply licence it , tax it and wait for the politicians' to claim prostitution expenses as a tax deduction.


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