Law in action: Local-level prostitution policies and practices and their effects on sex workers

Abstract

This article comparatively analyses city-based prostitution policies and practices and their effects on sex workers in countries that have adopted a partial criminalization model of intervention towards prostitution – Belgium and Italy. The two case studies selected for this research – the cities of Antwerp (Belgium) and Catania (Italy) – were chosen for their adopted local approach towards prostitution in designated red-light districts (RLDs): whereas prostitution has been collaboratively governed in Antwerp, it has simply been tolerated in Catania. By considering the factors that have led to the development of prostitution policies and practices in these two cities, and their characteristics both within and outside the two cities’ RLDs, this article compares and analyses the effects produced on sex workers across city areas. The study revealed a number of similarities between the two local cases considered: local practices towards sex work in both cities have been shaped by urban regeneration in RLDs, and by concerns about nuisance and crime across city areas (irregular immigration and trafficking, in particular); in all instances, they have had similar exclusionary effects on sex workers – and especially on the migrant women among them. The study also identified two key differences in the practices towards prostitution adopted in these two cities: they differed in the level of access to support services offered to sex workers and in the pervasiveness of proactive police control. The article concludes by arguing that all these local practices – including the ones that are seemingly different – ultimately converge in their ethos: they reinforce the socially constructed status of migrant sex workers as either law-breakers or trafficked victims to be subject to control and, in the latter case, also protection.

Criminal Responsibility System Against Online Criminal Acts of Prostitution in Indonesia

“…It is known that prostitution is very close to sexual intercourse outside of marriage, which in Islam can be regarded as adultery. 4 In the Qur'an itself, the act of adultery is classified as an unlawful act. It is stated, among other things, in Surah Al-Isra verse 32: "And do not ever commit adultery.…”

“…The reform of criminal law in terms of criminal liability for users of prostitution services, as stated at least, is aimed at protecting the community and the welfare of the Indonesian people. This is in line with what was conveyed by Erfandi, that: Community protection (social defense) with law enforcement in criminal and criminal reforms carried out with the aim of: (1) protecting the community from anti-social acts that harm and endanger the community, then the purpose of punishment is preventing and tackling crime, (2) protecting the community from the dangerous nature of a person, then the criminal/punishment in criminal law aims to improve the perpetrators of crimes or try to change and influence their behavior so that they return to obey the law and become good and useful citizens of society, (3) protection of the community from abuse of sanctions or reactions from law enforcement and from citizens in general, the purpose of the crime is formulated to prevent arbitrary treatment or actions outside the law, (4) protection of the community from disturbances in the balance or harmony of various interests and consequences If there is a crime, then criminal law enforcement must be able to resolve conflicts caused by criminal acts, be able to restore balance and bring a sense of peace in society (di Ronco, 2022).…”

Increased Vulnerabilities: Considering the Effects of Xeno-Racist Ordering for Romanian Migrant Sex Workers in the United Kingdom

“…The article first documents changes in the nature of immigration control in the United Kingdom. It then reflects on the regulation of sex work and immigration and its exclusionary effects for migrant workers (Di Ronco 2020;Hubbard 2004;Vuolajärvi 2019). Having outlined the methodological procedures, data is presented to illustrate the factors and processes that underpinned participation in sex work among Romanian and Romanian Roma sex workers in the research sample.…”