The Myths and Realities of Prostitution

Myths

Realities

• Prostitution is a safe and victimless crime.

• Women in prostitution are routinely physically and sexually assulted.

• Women choose prostitution.

• Prostitution is the result of lack of choices.

• Prostitution is evitable.

• Prostitution is the result of child molestation, sexism, racism, and poverty.

• Prostitution is a career, a job.

• Prostitution is sexual violence and exploitation of women, girls, and boys.

• Only adults are in prostitution.

• The national average age of entry into prostitution for young women is 14.

• Prostitution is glamorous

• Prostitution is demeaning, degrading, and very dangerous.

• Prostitution is only about sex

• People in prostitution are not sex addicts, nor is it experienced as a sexual behavior.

• Prostitutes don't have children

• Prostitution victimizes prostitutes, their children, and their families

• You can't abuse or rape a prostitute

• People working in prostitution are often raped

• Prostitution is a fair trade - money for sex

• Most people in prostitution don't have money. Most of the money goes to the pimp

• It's okay for men to buy sex because it's like any other commodity. If you have the money it's o.k.

• The person who buys the sex has the power

• Once a whore, always a whore (if she's already doing it, why not me?)

• It is not always easy to get out of prostitution. Most prostitutes are owned by a pimp