Taiwan officials propose legalization of prostitution
- Source: Global Times
- [08:02 June 15 2009]
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By Wang Anna
A proposal to decriminalize prostitution in Taiwan has sparked controversy as sex workers, women’s groups and the public debate the pros and cons of setting up “red-light districts” on the island, according to the Taipei-based Central News Agency.
The “Ministry of the Interior” presented a research report Friday that it had conducted regarding a possible plan to set up zones where sex workers may be licensed to work. The report was presented at a meeting of Taiwan’s legislature.
“Prostitution is a common phenomenon around the world, and it is impossible to get rid of it,” the research report says. “To effectively manage the adult sex trade in the future, we can look at a special-zone plan.”
Inside the special zones, sex workers, pimps and customers wouldn’t be subject to punishment, but prostitution outside of the zone would remain illegal, according to the proposal.
The plan elicited mixed reactions, with sex workers welcoming the news while several women’s groups blasted the plan.
“Sex work is work. We believe that prostitutes, clients and third parties should not be fined,” the Collective of Sex Workers and Supporters, a Taipei-based advocacy group, said in a statement.
Tsai Wan-fen, secretary-general of Taiwan Women’s Link, a women’s rights group, said at a press conference that legalizing the sex industry would not solve the problems of sex exploitation, as sex workers are threatened, beaten and raped regardless of where their services are offered.
Tsai added that the Amsterdam government in the Netherlands was “considering shrinking the size of its red light district” because it had become a center for human trafficking, sex exploitation and money laundering.
Under current regulations, prostitutes on the island can be detained for a maximum of three days or fined up to NT$30,000 ($915) while their customers receive no punishment.
Taiwan is the newest area to consider legalizing the world’s oldest profession.
Legislators in the US state of Rhode Island face opposition as they examine a bill this month to decriminalize prostitution.