EDUCATION FOR CHANGING PUBLIC POLICY: DECRIMINALIZATION OF PROSTITUTION.

摘要

Prostitution has been present in society for centuries; often being referred to as the oldest profession in the world. Throughout its existence there have been recurring efforts expended to understand the implications of these activities, and often, due to the pressures of public opinion, to criminally prosecute those engaging in it. Prostitution activities have been viewed from two diverse and extreme perspectives: One that it is immoral, impure, and contrary to religious beliefs; the other is that it is a victimless process, was at one time tolerated, and that funds which could be put to better use are wasted in attempting to prevent it. These are, however, the extreme attitudes toward prostitution with many attitudinal shades of gray appearing in-between. The purpose of this study is to examine the concept of prostitution as a victimless crime and to overview the methods of enforcement, or lack thereof, that seem to be the most feasible in dealing with the concept.;The second chapter examines the concept of prostitution as a victimless crime, reviewing literature relative to this aspect. The following chapter continues with an examination of the literature on the subject but from the position that prostitution activities victimize on criminal, sociological and psychological levels, resulting in direct as well as indirect victimization of prostitution-related activities. Ancillary crime victims, the criminal victims, are examined as is the sociological/psychological victimization of the area citizenry surrounded by prostitution activities, and the victimization of the prostitute herself.;The fourth chapter details the prostitution problem as it is known to exist in the City of Detroit, reviewing those areas most likely to be affected by prostitution-related activities as well as those activities most likely to occur in certain areas.;The last chapter examines the law enforcement program efforts utilized to control, curtail or eliminate prostitution activities, including an evaluation of those efforts. Those program areas most often fall into three categories: criminal enforcement effort, legalization, and decriminalization. Finally, educational methodology areas are detailed to provide information for law enforcement personnel and the public.;The first chapter of this study overviews the history of prostitution activities and enforcement attitudes, as well as defining prostitution activities by role, type of individual involved and classifications. It also analyzes the extent of the problem as it exists today.