Commentary
| Published date | 01 October 1996 |
| Date | 01 October 1996 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1177/0032258X9606900401 |
| Subject Matter | Commentary |
1bePOUCE
JOURNtd.
Professionalizing the Oldest Profession
It
is probable that the call to legalize brothels, made in July by the
Chief Constable of West Yorkshire and supported by the Chief Constable of
Lancashire, caused many archdeacons to choke on their morning cornflakes and
lifelong members of Women's Institutes to take deep, rejuvenating breaths as
they read the Daily Telegraph or Times. Doubtless, the prospect filled a lot of
people with foreboding as they visualized the final tearing-away of the G from
GB.One can understand the feelings of a chief constable who, recognizing the
ineffectiveness of the present state of the law, recommends that drastic changes
be made. Mr Hellawell makes it clear that, morally, he is against prostitution,
but he is firm in his view that if it cannot be stopped from causing offence it
should take place in premises licensed for the purpose.
At first sight, the proposal has many attractions. Young, and not so young,
females would carry outtheir demeaning trade inproperly established buildings
and cease to be exploited, degraded and abused by their pimps. Loitering and
soliciting would no longer create a social nuisance to residents of districts at
present favoured by the ladies of easy virtue, nor would men cause offence by
kerb-crawling in search of a fancied woman. Health problems would be less
likely to occur because of the regular medical inspections made, whilst police
time would be better spent.
The reverse side of the coin, however, presents a much less attractive picture
It is highly unlikely that all prostitutes would favour being controlled by a local
authority and street soliciting would continue to cause offence, with pimps
maintaining their iniquitous hold over the recalcitrant girls. It is not inconceivable
that residents would complain bitterly if an official brothel were to be established
locally, especially if its presence caused the value of their housesto fall. In these
days of sexual equality, with homosexuals clamouring for public recognition,
who would bet against the possibility of brothels being established exclusively
for "gay" men, manned by male prostitutes, and those for lesbians manned by
women of the same ilk? Whilst such a development would doubtless be an
anathema to the large majority of the population, the European Court of Justice -
to whom the final decision could ultimately fall - has a reputation for favouring
the minority view and could well give its approval to such an unwelcome
development.
In the event of licensed brothels being established, with all theconcomitant
responsibilities placed on local authorities with regard to supervision, health
inspections, payment of rates and the setting of house charges, appointment of
superintending "madams", etc, the manning of the premises by suitable women
October 1996 The Police Journal 283
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