Harsh Realities of Prostitution Not Reported On

Doctors for Life International has noted the continual reports in some of the media that the decriminalization of prostitution may, should or is going to happen. Do they realize that they may be leading innocent young people into a life of slavery and drug addiction by publishing these suggestions?

It is irresponsible for these media to keep on suggesting that the decriminalization of prostitution is an option. It will most probably cause young girls from the rural areas to flock to the cities thinking that they are going to make easy money. Inevitably most of these young girls will end up under the often brutal control of a pimp and become drug addicted victims of human trafficking that will be subjected to all kinds of abuse.

A poll undertaken by African Response in three major cities ahead of the 2010 Soccer World Cup, shows that 79% of South Africans oppose the decriminalization of prostitution. Furthermore, the international trend is to clamp down on prostitution because of the many problems linked to it such as the sexual abuse of minors, human trafficking and organized crime. Examples include the UK, Norway, Netherlands (Amsterdam) and Sweden.

Doctors for Life, urges the media to consider the extremely negative consequences of prostitution to the prostitute and to society as a whole. People usually make the choice to engage in prostitution out of desperation and within a very limited range of options and alternatives. Experience and research has shown that if given a proper opportunity, that at least 80% of prostitutes would quit the lifestyle.

Instead of promoting prostitution by decriminalizing or legalizing it, society should help the victims caught up in it through rehabilitation and skills training programs, in conjunction with diversion programs through the justice system.

Doctors for Life International, represents more than 1600 medical doctors and is involved in helping people exit prostitution through a fulltime centre in the Point area, Durban.

Doctors For Life has commented extensively on these issues and has also made submissions to the South African Constitutional Court and Law Reform Commission regarding them. For more information visit www.dfl.org.za