Dallas police have changed their approach to busting prostitutes, and are now treating them as sex crime victims. According to TBO.com, the "victims" can avoid jail time by choosing a 45 day inpatient rehab.
The program's advocates acknowledge its success has been limited - about half of the 375 women have chosen rehab, and just 21 have turned their lives around. But authorities say they're gaining the women's trust and have gotten leads on unsolved crimes.
So it's barely effective... And who's footing the bill for the 45 day inpatient rehab? And since when do we force "victims" of anything into rehab? And (as Riehl points out), "If it leads to johns being listed somewhere as sex offenders, I don't know that that's such a good idea."
I have a better idea. Just decriminalize prostitution. (Ah, yes... it's my inner libertarian speaking up again...) Seriously. Make it legal.
Yes, I believe it's a victimless crime. Yes, I believe grown adults should be able to do what they like with their own bodies. No, I don't think it would allow for the exploitation of children because that's a crime on its own and should remain so. No, I don't think it poses a threat to marriage. (News flash, ladies... If your husband is willing to pay for it, he'll take any freebies he's offered as well. The problem would be your man, not prostitution.)
From Dallas police Sgt. Louis Felini (the man dreamed up the "Prostitution Diversion Initiative") comes the hard truth about these prostitutes:
"They are trading sex for survival needs: food, a place to sleep."
And you're arresting them for it. What a prince.
More:
Arresting prostitutes accomplished little. Many considered going to jail part of the cost of doing business and were back at the truck stops within 48 hours, Felini said.
So the police acknowledge these women are only doing what they need to do to survive... but they'll arrest them anyway - for the "crime" of being a "victim" - and bargain them into rehab at taxpayer expense. Ooooooookay...
Ridiculous. Just change the law.
1 comment:
Yes, I believe it's a victimless crime. Yes, I believe grown adults should be able to do what they like with their own bodies. No, I don't think it would allow for the exploitation of children because that's a crime on its own and should remain so. No, I don't think it poses a threat to marriage. (News flash, ladies... If your husband is willing to pay for it, he'll take any freebies he's offered as well. The problem would be your man, not prostitution.).
That is just all kinds of right. Couldn't agree with this more.
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