Why should Sex Tourism and Prostitution be Legalized in the Philippines

Mark Gabriel Wagan Aguilar

doi:10.47992/ijmts.2581.6012.0093

Abstract

Several laws linked to Prostitution have been enforced in the Philippines and in countries where it is not permitted over the years, however, evidences show that it has unceasingly developed, in fact, has been coined already as the “oldest profession” and has already become a multi-billion-dollar Industry. As laws in the Philippines continuously fail to solve the problem, this study suggested legalization as a better option to minimize its negative implications, if it does not totally become a solution. Results show that legalizing sex work would cause more positive implications to the society than to criminalize it. Legalization has been determined to decrease incidents of physical and sexual violence against women and cases of Sexual Transmitted Deceases. Criminalization on the other hand has been found to lack of the ability to stop or even slow down the growth of the commercial sex Industry and proven to expose sex workers to physical and sexual assault and harassment not just from their clients but also from law enforcers. In the Philippines where sex work is illegal, financial need was identified as the primary reason why people choose to work as prostitutes, unfortunately, it was discovered that they are treated badly; there are times that they are not being paid, they experience being forced to do things they don’t want to do, and they are harassed by hotel employees and law enforcers. Furthermore, though the Hospitality Industry may not be in support of prostitution, it seems like it is as hotels are used as the primary venue for the service. The Philippine Government if will stick to having sex work as a crime should therefore look into Hotels and conceptualize ways to make sure that people who are checking In are not there for commercial sex.

Highlights

Prostitution has been identified as a problem, Caporaletti (2006)
It has been proven that the rate of violence against women is higher in countries where prostitution is illegal
It has been determined that Sex workers who have experienced repressive policing like arrest are three times more likely to experience physical violence from clients, partners, and other people, Platt et al (2018), according to one of the authors of the study, fear of police gives sex workers little time to negotiate services and forces them to work in isolated areas, increases their vulnerability to theft and violence, Bacchi (2018)

Summary

Introduction

Prostitution has been identified as a problem, Caporaletti (2006). It is a problem linked to existing social and political structures, Brown et al (2013), and is deemed a major one in most countries around the world with little to no consensus on how to address it, Benoit et al (2019). Justice (2019) argues that across the globe, the destructive repercussions of prostitution are similar whether it is legal, tolerated, or illegal; it contributes to the objectification of women, it normalizes violence, and it creates a futile effect. This concept of work is a form of male violence against women, it is a system and an industry that contribute to gender inequality, to an unequal and negative representation of sexuality for young people, and to reduced choices in sexuality, Pape (2018). Violence against women has been seen as evidence that prostitution is really a major problem of the society, Rodriguez (2015), Pennsylvania Coalition

Methods

Results

Conclusion