LEGALIZING PROSTITUTION WON'T SOLVE ANY PROBLEMS

The Editor,

Re: "Prostitution isn't the problem, prohibition is," the Now letters, Feb. 7.

I have no idea what kind of "consenting" behaviour Kirk Tousaw engages in
but I fail to see how a young drug-addicted girl selling sexual services to
a man, likely married with children at home, can be constituted as
consensual. In effect, it is really the continued victimization of someone
who is already at a disadvantage and puts family at risk for contagious
disease (without being given a choice).

Legalization of prostitution has not proven to be effective. Where is has
been implemented there has been an increase in street level prostitution.
Why? A legal business must abide by health guidelines and where do you
think the infected streetworker goes when she is fired for testing
positive? Back to the street and the only life she knows.

The social problem here is not the prohibition of consensual activity
between adults but rather the condoning of the degradation of women, not
only the one standing on the street corner but the one waiting at home for
her partner.

I wonder how consensual Mr. Tousaw thinks the recent hammer attack of a
Vancouver prostitute was?

Civil Liberties is defined in Webster's as "rights of thinking, speaking
and acting as one likes without interference or restraint except in the
interests of the public welfare." "Welfare ... is a condition of health,
happiness and comfort." I do not think that drug addiction, assaults,
herpes, AIDS, etc., go hand in hand with happiness and comfort - they do go
hand in hand with prostitution and that will not change with legalization.
Perhaps Mr. Tousaw should have an operation called "Get Real."

B. Claire

Surrey