Professor Young correctly calls for the legalization and protection of prostitutes

In Canada soliciting for the purpose of prostitution in a public place is illegal. Prostitution is not illegal. The Robert Pickton trial has focused new light on this issue. Professor Young correctly calls for legalizing prostitution as the best way to protect sex-trade workers.

Professor Young says the crime of soliciting should be scrapped

 A publication ban restricts our ability to report on the trial and the victims at this time. However, we can state that prostitutes have been victimized by predators for years. The Green River killer murdered dozens of women before being arrested. In Britain, prostitutes have also been killed in the past the police were criticized for being slow to investigate.

Many prostitutes come from troubled homes. They run away and often become victims of pimps and other predators. They are also often addicted to narcotics. Many are minors in need of protection.

The criminal offence of soliciting is a minor nuisance type of offence. Residential communities do not want prostitutes soliciting on their streets. They want them out. The police have been effective in Toronto in keeping the streets free of female prostitutes. The male prostitues along Bay Street and Women's hospital have received less attention. High rise buildings have become "brothels in the sky".

Massage parlours also offer "extra services".  "Blowjobs" and "hand jobs" are common services that only cost $60 to $100. A confidential police source states that they are controlled by organized crime groups and each massage parlour generates in excess of $300,000 in annual profits. None of this revenue is taxed. The police regularly report of extortion, intimidation and other illegal activities at these establisments. In Markham three sex workers were murdered in a contract killing last year. Asian cirme groups control York Region. The GTA is larlegely controlled by traditional crime groups with the Russians and new ethnic groups taking a cut of the proceeds.

Sex-trade workers operate in the underground economy without any legal regulation. They do not pay taxes and health care is very poor. Much better to legalize the industry.

Prostition is the oldest profession in the world. It has existed for 1000s of years. It will not go away. Better to regulate it; tax the trade; and impose strict health standards to minimize the spread of Aids and other sexual transmitted deseases. The sex-trade workers should also be protected and offered a way out with drug rehab and training.

The prostitutes should also be protected from harm. Society should make sure they are treated fairly and not abused. In return they must pay taxes and agree to government regulation.