Buying sex, are you part of problem?

[gibarian]

A tale of two addictions:

Drugs: drug addicts are generally seen as victims, they have a voracious habit that consumes a huge amount of money. The suppliers are seen as the ultimate problem, the criminals.

Sex industry: the addicts are seen as the criminals, even though they spend huge amounts of money, like any other addiction. The suppliers are seen as victims.

This comparison is inane because drugs are chemically addictive, sex is not. Most self-diagnosed sex addicts would not be deemed as such by a medical professional. Some conflicted clients call themselves addicts to assuage feelings of guilt over infidelity, reckless spending, etc. But at best it's a "soft" addiction, indistinguishable from "addictions" to videogames, designer shoes, fast food, model train sets, browsing reddit, makeup, power tools, or any other number of products/hobbies.

I'm actually not completely opposed to the idea that the makers of products bear some ethical responsibility for their use, but it's idiotic to compare sex workers to drug dealers.

 

[Kracker]

I'm pretty sure the vast majority of the girls I've seen in the past few years, via major agencies, are willing participants in the transaction. Most seem eager to share private contact info and on occasion I've indulged even after they've left the agencies - hard to believe any of that is coerced.

BUT - for sure early on there were a few experiences where the girls were drugged up.

Very, very difficult to walk once you're all set up, very much in the mood and the girl is cute but a little bleary-eyed.

 

[nottyboi]

The legal grey area of sexwork allows this to happen a much more easily. Also seems like her parents were very detached from her and did not work on building confidence and self esteem. Its impossible to know if someone is being trafficked, but if I get a bad vibe I move on.

 

[Fun For All]

One solution would be to take all the money they raise for "rescue" and put it into fighting trafficking (not prostitution). In addition to decriminalization, which is different than legalizing.

[/QUOTE]
I don’t think money alone would do...there is too much money going into the illegal side of it.

 

[Jasmina]

That would be in addition to the funding already put towards trafficking (specifically trafficking, not rescue). It would make a difference. Right now, LE is tapped resource wise, they don't have the people or the technology. There also needs to be a lot more international co-operation. Currently there really isn't much. Interpol does fuck all to stop trafficking.

I don’t think money alone would do...there is too much money going into the illegal side of it.

 

[LTO_3]

Many countries legalized sex work and do just fine. Why can't Canada copy and paste what works so well in countries like Germany and Netherlands?

There will still be illegal part no matter what. It's as old as the profession itself. Strong pray on weak.

Good idea but no political party would do it because that would be the death of that party or whoever introduced legalizing SP work as they have done in Germany. What it would take would be for all parties in Canada to introduce such a bill and the odds of that are not likely. Besides that, there would be contending with those who would think this would be "disgusting" even though it's considered a legal profession.

Even though it may not be perfect, legalizing would be a step in the right direction.

LTO_3

 

[barnacler]

This comparison is inane because drugs are chemically addictive, sex is not. Most self-diagnosed sex addicts would not be deemed as such by a medical professional. Some conflicted clients call themselves addicts to assuage feelings of guilt over infidelity, reckless spending, etc. But at best it's a "soft" addiction, indistinguishable from "addictions" to videogames, designer shoes, fast food, model train sets, browsing reddit, makeup, power tools, or any other number of products/hobbies.

I'm actually not completely opposed to the idea that the makers of products bear some ethical responsibility for their use, but it's idiotic to compare sex workers to drug dealers.

LOL, spare me the hyperbole. Why can -no-one ever calmly discuss another person's opposing point of view without resorting to words like 'crazy", "idiotic" etc?

I am not crazy, I am not an idiot, so cool it and be calm.

I don't think your rational points are idiotic - I disagree with some of them, but I fail to see the attraction of labelling and name calling. It doesn't in any way convince me further of anything, because it is not an argument.

Make a point, don't resort to bluster. Respect your opponent.

This is actually the story of our times - nobody ever is calm.

I will see if I can find the article I read years ago, but it pointed out that addictions to NATURAL drives are often the hardest to eradicate. Because you are fighting something fundamental, 'hard-wired' so to speak.

Hormones drive much of human behaviour, and hormones are chemicals.

So overeating, for instance - we MUST eat, so its not like we can turn our back on it entirely. Imagine if Meth was something that we HAD to take a little of every day. Suppose there was a chemical in Meth that we had to have to live - its just that too much would cause problems. Total abstinence would not be an option. A bit would be pleasurable, but too mcuh - deadly. What a fine line it would be to manage 'enough to satisfy fundamental needs' with 'enough to kill'.

Sex IS natural, and it can be addictive. Very addictive. People spend a TON of money on it. It is a fundamental drive, like eating, drinking. It is enormously pleasurable, and an easy thing to go to at any time one is feeling like there's a need. It keeps coming back.

 

[Samranchoi]

I think in some circumstances, yes a client can be a part of the problem however in many more, a client can be seen as a way for many women to set themselves up for life. The negative stigma of being a sex provider appears to have decreased over the years, IMO. In my experiences dealing predominantly with the larger Asian agencies, the women are older and come to Canada specifically to make money and use that to set themselves up for a better like back home. Some have found a good life here out of the business and in some instances with a partner that they met in the business. Canada has been seen as their opportunity for this. At home, they are not seen as anything special but in Canada, they are “worshipped” by many. And once the border fully opens, this trend will continue again.

 

[Jasmina]

Survival sex work is a real thing. Doesn't make her story any less true or harsh.

I almost fucked this woman when she was in kitchener. Glad I didn't.

There was even evidence of her working after this article was written.

 

[rhuarc29]

Does it make me consider my own actions? No.

But what did was the one and only time I went to see a girl on leolist.
I communicated only with her, and saw only her while I was there, but she seemed in rough shape, and her living conditions were not good.
And I did not go through with it. Because those aren't conditions I want to perpetuate.

Since then I've only seen agency girls, and have absolutely no interest in using leolist again. I have interest in well-known indies too, but many of them require screening I'm uncomfortable with (like real name or work number).
Is there a chance some agency girls or indies got into this industry in a similar way? Yes. But I think most of them are now in a position of autonomy where they can choose to continue of their own volition or get out.

 

[i_am_good]

Does it make me consider my own actions? No.

But what did was the one and only time I went to see a girl on leolist.
I communicated only with her, and saw only her while I was there, but she seemed in rough shape, and her living conditions were not good.
And I did not go through with it. Because those aren't conditions I want to perpetuate.

Since then I've only seen agency girls, and have absolutely no interest in using leolist again. I have interest in well-known indies too, but many of them require screening I'm uncomfortable with (like real name or work number).
Is there a chance some agency girls or indies got into this industry in a similar way? Yes. But I think most of them are now in a position of autonomy where they can choose to continue of their own volition or get out.

What if she was being sex trafficked?

 

[rhuarc29]

What if she was being sex trafficked?

Who? The girl who I saw on leolist and promptly walked away from?
I don't actually know if that's the situation she's in. What I did know was that she appeared to be hard into drugs, and I would have felt uncomfortable going through with it with her in such a compromised position.
If I did have suspicion of trafficking, it would be nice to have the resources to contact without putting myself at risk. Resources I know could help her.

 

[moredale7]

700×396
yes and no.