Love and desire Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Love and desire - Article Example This is a topic of legislative debate across many countries, and it is unlikely that the contest will end soon. In Canada, there are groups calling for the striking off segments of the Criminal Code, mainly sections 210 to 213, which criminalize prostitution and related activities in order to protect sex workers and their clients (Betteridge, 2005, p. 11). On the other hand, there are others who are against the decriminalization of prostitution as this will only expose the prostitutes and the general public to greater risks. This weighty matter has left lawmakers and other stakeholders at crossroads. The main aim of this paper is to contribute to the debate on whether or not these activities should be decriminalized in Canada by arguing against the decriminalization. Decimalization of prostitution poses a major threat to the life and security of women, promotes sex trafficking, increases child prostitution and helps to expand the sex industry. Decriminalizing of prostitution will thu s prove costly in the long run. Why Prostitution should not be decriminalization In order to protect the lives and safety of the general public, it is important for prostitution to be viewed and treated as a form of sexual exploitation rather than as an occupation and a source of income. Decriminalizing prostitution has a number of consequences. First, decriminalization will lead to an increase in sex trafficking cases, both at local and international levels. As noted in the report by The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (2010), it is likely that third party business persons will want to profit from such activities by acting as middlemen or entrepreneurs. These people will be involved in the ‘marketing’ and ‘selling’ of women for sex. In the event that these middlemen lack adequate women to satisfy the market demand for sex, it is certain that they will engage in trafficking of women for sex. This will put the entire country at risk. This will lead to an in crease in kidnap cases across the country and neighboring countries as well. Decriminalizing prostitution is one way of indirectly involving non-prostitutes in these activities since every man or woman will be seen as a potential client by these middlemen. This affects people’s daily activities and movements due to the fear of being kidnapped. In addition, this will paint a negative image of the country to the outside world, and thus affecting Canada’s relations with other countries. Secondly, decriminalization will only help to expand the sex industry in the country. This will mean that at all times, women of different races and ages will be put on display for sale, and this may involve foreigners trafficked from other countries (Raymond, 2003, p. 318). Prostitution will be converted into a quick profit earning business. This will significantly contribute to the expansion of the sex industry since people will start to engage in different forms of sexual exploitation i ncluding phone sex, table dancing and peep shows in order to satisfy their desires. In addition, decriminalization will further increase the access and consumption of pornographic material in the country. The major disadvantage is that when the sex industry is expanded, a majority of the population may be drawn into these activities, either voluntarily