Saturday, February 05, 2011

Sex Trafficking Law

Chelsea E. Shambley

Blog #3

5 February 2011

11:24 pm

Sex trafficking is now noted as the world’s second largest crime, tied with the illegal sale of guns and arms, under the drug trade. Human beings are trafficked into different countries and cities daily for sexual purposes, and not one country is immune. In 2008, a bill known as The Prohibition of the Use of Paid Sexual Services Law was drafted but it has not yet been approved. The law calls for “criminalizing the clients of the sex industry, with punishment consisting of six months’ imprisonment—or an education program for first-time offenders.” This law is based on the “Nordic model” which targets the demand paid for sex and is enforced throughout Sweden, Norway, and Iceland. This law has a ten-year success record, and since it has been passed in those countries, the demand has dropped by forty-five percent. Right now, activists are pushing for the law to be passed in Israel, where the trafficking industry is worth $500 million.
I learned of the “Nordic model,” also known as the “Swedish Example,” and its results through previous research. I am so glad that activists are pushing for this law to be passed in Israel and I hope America and other countries are soon to follow. In many cases where forced prostitutes escape or are freed, they are scared to contact law enforcement for help, fearing they will be placed in prison for illegal prostitution. With this Swedish law, the selling of sex is not criminalized but buying sex is illegal. This way, forced prostitutes can call on the law for help without fear of imprisonment. Forced prostitutes are victims, not criminals; they have been enslaved and dehumanized, they should not receive further punishment in jail. I definitely believe the law should be passed, not only in Israel, but also in the rest of the world.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marcia-g-yerman/sexual-trafficking-in-isr_b_807751.html?ir=Religion

1 comment:

Jordan Rolph said...

I agree with the Chelsea on this. Human trafficking is sickening and it's sad to know something like this goes on around the world. These women for many of reasons get involved in prostitution and it is hard and terrifying to try to get out of the situation. I hope this law gets passed by all countries around the world and we can start to protect anyone who is involved in human trafficking and put away the people who are the cause of it. It will also lessen the spread of diseases.