I am aware that that the possibility of decriminalizing prostitution is a highly emotive issue for you and your congregants as you deem it a manifestation of sexual perversion that ought not have legal recognition. Understandably, you have been at the forefront of the campaign against any decriminalization or legalization attempts. Granted that these measures would seemingly be contrary to your religion, I urge you to consider this matter from an objective standpoint divorced from any religious influence. Prostitution thrives unabated regardless of its present illicit status and constant opposition to its acknowledgment as a potential contributor to the economy. It is an indisputable fact that ours is a secular nation and, therefore, Christianity, Islam, or any other devout outfit cannot be determinative of what is legal or illicit. Devoid of spirituality and hypocrisy, the legalization of prostitution is prudent because it will enhance the health, safety, security, and welfare of those involved, broaden the nation’s tax base, and mitigate wanton bribery and corruption.
Legalizing prostitution will extend appropriate recognition to sex workers that will facilitate the elimination of discrimination and prejudice that relegates them to second-class citizens. It is a Christian belief that everyone is equal before God, but the present illegitimate status accorded to them means that prostitutes do not get equal treatment in society. Consequently, for example, they lack access to critical amenities such as sexual and reproductive health services and counseling because of the stigma associated with their trade (Dourado et al.). Similarly, they are often susceptible to harassment, extortion, physical and sexual violence, and even homicide because of their second-class status. Therefore, legalization is an important avenue for their recognition and emancipation, because legal recognition will facilitate the elimination of stigma, discrimination, and prejudice against them. Consequently, they will enjoy greater access to healthcare services that will improve their wellbeing. It would also improve their safety and security because they will no longer fear law enforcement. Therefore, legalizing prostitution is a way to ensure that those engaged in the trade receive equal access to critical amenities and services and enjoy the equal protection of the law as other citizens.
Legalizing prostitution would also formalize the sector and acknowledge its immense contribution to the country’s economy as well as the potential for greater revenues through a broadened tax base. Whether you like it or not, prostitution is a thriving business that generates billions of dollars. According to recent estimates, prostitution generates revenues amounting to at least 14 billion dollars annually, placing the US among the top five (Havoscope). However, owing to the trade’s illicit status, none of these revenues are subject to direct taxation with the consequence that the exchequer loses millions of dollars in tax revenues. It necessarily follows that legalization is a prudent measure because it will necessitate the establishment of a regulatory and oversight framework that can collaborate with the Internal Revenue Service to harness the broadened tax base presented by this sector. For perspective, the German city of Dortmund raises around 750000 Euros annually from taxing prostitution (Wighton). The revenues generated from the trade can improve the country’s healthcare services, particularly sexual and reproductive health for the sex workers in addition to other welfare initiatives.
Legalization is also a potential means of addressing the problems of bribery and corruption within the governance and law enforcement fraternities. The fact that prostitution in the US continues to thrive and generates billions of dollars is because the entities mandated with enforcing the law have become tolerant of it and are unwitting participants in the trade. The failure to enforce the law is usually primarily because it presents an opportunity for either financial or other benefits for them. Additionally, participants are often susceptible to blackmail and extortion for ‘protection’ by rogue officers. Therefore, according legal recognition to sex workers eliminates their vulnerability in this regard, as they will no longer be vulnerable to extortion because the law will have permitted them through licensing. Hence, legalization would eliminate the need for bribery for protection or to enable them conduct business.
In sum, I urge you, other members of the clergy, and your congregants to reconsider your stand on the debate on the legalization of prostitution because, first, it continues to flourish regardless of being illegal and vehement opposition by various religious entities. Second, it is my contention that the benefits of legalization far outweigh the detriments. First, legalization would extent equal treatment to sex workers and be instrumental in the elimination of stigmatization, discriminatory, and prejudicial tendencies against them, which would improve their overall safety, security, and wellbeing. Second, the legislative measure would translate to the addition of another tax base that can benefit the treasury with billions of dollars in tax revenues. It is indisputable that the country’s welfare system is struggling and the extra monies would alleviate the situation. Finally, the thriving business regardless of its illegal status means that bribery and corruption are rampant, thus, legalization would be a viable means to mitigate these vices.
References
Dourado, Inês et al. “Sex Work Stigma and Non-Disclosure to Health Care Providers: Data from a Large RDS Study Among FSW in Brazil.”BMC International Health and Human Rights, vol. 19, no. 1, 2019. Web.
Havocscope. “Prostitution Revenue by Country.”Havocscope.Com, 2021. Web.
Wighton, Daniel. “Prostitution, Dogs and Loneliness: A Look at Germany’s Weirdest Taxes.”Thelocal.De, 2019. Web.