Prostitution is not just a problem with trafficked/kidnapped women and children. There are plenty of prostitutes that have chosen their line of work

Question

Local law enforcement allocates some resources to the problem, but it isn't usually a very high priority other than a periodic crackdown due to public requests. Law enforcement arrests and charges both the prostitute and her client. Law enforcement considers both parties as equally responsible for the crime. However, similar to the problem with those forced into prostitution, some prostitutes suffer serious violence at the hands of clients who don't feel the prostitute will report it. These perpetrators of the violent felonies are of more concern to law enforcement than the act of prostitution that usually doesn't result in extra work for the street officers. Prostitutes have historically been easy targets for serial killers as well. Prostitutes may not report crimes due to the fear of being charged with prostitution, or worse yet, they may face retaliation from their pimp or handler of the organized crime ring they work for. What should law enforcement do to encourage prostitutes to seek help and/or report aggravated assaults and sexual assaults?

Answer 1

Although most sexual encounters do not involve violence, most street prostitutes report having been assaulted at least once by clients. A small percentage of clients are likely responsible for most of the violence committed against prostitutes. The pattern of violence in pimp-prostitute relationships is similar to that of domestic violence. Prostitutes do not report most assaults to the police because they either fear retaliation by pimps or believe the police will not take the matter seriously, or will charge them for soliciting. Both prostitutes and those who assault them may believe prostitutes are not entitled to the criminal justice system's normal protections. Due to the similarity between domestic violence victims and prostitutes, perhaps working with the prostitutes in a similar way would bring similar success.

Strategies seeking to reduce the harms caused by and experienced by prostitutes are more likely to work than those seeking to eliminate prostitution altogether. Strategies focused exclusively on arresting prostitutes are unlikely to be effective. At a minimum, both prostitutes' and clients' conduct should be addressed. An effective strategy not only must force prostitutes off the streets and get them to stop their offensive behavior, but also must give them viable alternatives: either to get out of prostitution altogether, or to operate in less-offensive locations, times, or ways. This usually requires greater cooperation between the police and various service organizations. The most effective responses to the problem of street prostitution rely heavily on social services for prostitutes to encourage their permanent exit from the street. Police must work closely with service providers to ensure that the various enforcement- and treatment-based responses are well-coordinated. The transient nature of street prostitution and the fact that some responses may lead to displacement mean that jurisdictions must share information to make a significant regional impact on the problem.

Enforcement strategies will not be successful without an array of social services to help prostitutes leave the streets. It is particularly important to break the connection between drug use and sex work. Moving toward and finally leaving the street is a long and complex process, and services must be provided at the right time and in the proper sequence. For example, meeting the basic needs of child care, housing, public benefits, and drug treatment should come before intensive job training or employment programs. Services should be easy for women to access and should have flexible appointment times, reasonable wait times, extended hours of operation, and record-keeping practices that are sensitive to many prostitutes' concerns for confidentiality. They should also be specifically designed to address the women's needs in the context of their work as street prostitutes.