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Legalization of Prostitution

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ABSTRACT The legal right to be free from torture and cruel and inhuman or degrading treatment is recognized by most nations and is internationally guaranteed. Women and children working in the sex industry are repeatedly subject to rape, violence, and sexually transmitted diseases. The current system of prosecuting and jailing these women has been ineffective in reducing the illegal activities. These issues can be addressed by legalizing and regulating the prostitution industry. By using Nevada where brothels are legal as a model for the rest of the country enforcing strict regulations can better protect those victimized by the industry.

Legalization of Prostitution
Prostitution is often referred to as the world’s oldest profession. According to a survey conducted by ABC News Prime time 15% of all American men have paid for sex and 30% of single men over the age of 30 have paid for sex ("POLL: American Sex Survey - ABC News", 2004). The sex industry is one that affects many American citizens. The National Task Force on Prostitution suggests that over one million people in the US have worked as prostitutes in the United States, or about 1% of American women" (Prostitution in The United States - The Statistics, 2007). Currently prostitution is illegal by Federal law Title 18 Part I Ch.117 Sec. 2422 under “Coercion and Enticement” and can carry up to a 20 year prison sentence ("Title 18 United States Code Crimes and Criminal Procedure", n.d.). There are several arguments as to why prostitution should remain illegal. The three most prominent being that sex work increases violence and crime, spreads communicable diseases like STDs and AIDs, and that sex for money is immoral. However, by legalizing and regulating this taboo industry it can ultimately help the women involved in it.
The most common reason for opposition to sex work is that it increases violence and

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