Oh PG, WTF?

So someone over in Prince George's County thinks it is a great idea to live-tweet a prostitution sting. I don't know how to begin this except, when the police think something using social media is a good idea, the best thing the department can do is back away slowly.

Yesterday morning, PGPD announced they will be live-tweeting a prostitution sting next week, but don't worry they aren't going to announce where or when. Someone tell me you read the press release? The police said, "From the ads to the arrest, we'll show you how the PGPD is battling the oldest profession. Suspect photos and information will be tweeted. We're using this progressive, and what we believe unprecedented, social media tactic to warn any potential participants that this type of criminal behavior is not welcome in Prince George's County."

Try to resist throwing something. SO THE POLICE ARE GOING TO SHARE PHOTOS AND INFORMATION OF SUSPECTS. *slow clap* We can all agree regardless of your stance on sex work that releasing the identities of people working in what can be described as a vulnerable career is a bad idea.

Naturally, the PGPD decided to change their tune when the Internet said, hey dumb-ass shut that shit down. The police released another statement, "Out Vice Unit will target those who choose to solicit a prostitute, not prostitutes themselves. The intent all along has been to put on notice and/or arrest the very people who exploit women and even young girls in our community."

Not any better PGPD. First the way PGPD is framing the issue in both versions above is flawed. All women who participate in sex work are not being exploited. Some are and non-stigmatizing help should be offered, but police and arrests are not the way. And who actually things the women are going to get a pass? Because I'm pretty sure the women will be arrested too. Finally, the PGPD is framing this completely in a gender binary where women are exploited by men…there are not other gender presentations in PG I guess. GOD SAVE THE WOMEN! I absolutely hate this. Just so much hate.

The PGPD are going to use the hashtag #PGPDVice when they are conducting and documenting the sting.

Yes, I think I'll continue to carry condoms DC.

This is just crazy with AIDS out of control in DC.  DC is enforcing a "practice" that if you are caught carrying more than two condoms in your purse you could be arrested for prostitution.  Aside from the gender based profiling here; the articles all seem to be pointing to female sex workers, let's address that most sexually active women carry more than three condoms when they are "going out."  However, most women won't be busted for prostitution because this is all part of DC's "Prostitution Free Zones."

But for a minute maybe DC should think of the sex worker, who now has a reason not to practice safe sex.  Congratulations DC, you have successfully made a dangerous job even more dangerous. I'm going to start carrying three condoms around all the time now.  Work, class, bars, wherever.  Maybe I'll flaunt them, tape them to my purse or something.   

Prostitute? Rehab or Jail

Dallas Texas is offering prostitutes picked up at truck stops the option of rehab or jail.  These sex workers are rounded up offered immediate medical treatment, interviewed about illicit activities of pimps such as trafficking of underage girls, and then off to mobile court.  Here if the sex worker is sincere about turning his/her life around then he/she can enter into rehab. 

So far the program has rounded up 375 women, and only half have picked the rehab option.  21 women have left sex work.

I have a few issues with this.  The first being this option "jail or rehab" appears only to be offered to women.  Second it makes the assumption that sex workers are victims.  This is not always the case, and while I would like to make sex work safer and provide sex workers with anti-drug programs making the option "jail or rehab" is not the way to go about it.  But assuming like the article suggests all sex workers are victims why is the alternative to rehab jail?  By refusing rehab does one lose his/her victim status?

This feels very much like pushing the perception that sex workers need to be saved.

Everyone Else is Doing It

Yep, it is that special time of year to buy things for loved one, like a teen's virginity. Ok, so the girl pulled the offer before the auction closed so she wasn't legally liable for anything. 

 

This teenage girl in Hong Kong attempted to auction her virginity to the highest bidder, which coincidentally was $7,800.  The girl never disclosed her age on the site, but gave all the other necessary information such as weight and height.  One hundred people responded to the ad.  The police are naturally investigating and replaced the ad with a warning not "to sell your body for money."  The ad went on to say, "One should value morals highly and respect self-esteem."

 

Recently in Hong Kong there is an increase of teenage girls going on "compensated"  dates with old men.  Some of these dates include sex for money.  The article attributes this to the 22 year old US woman who auctioned off her virginity to pay for her college education; her offer received bids up to $3.7 million. 

 

I go back and forth on this; naturally prostitution is not an easy subject.  The auctioning off of the virginity of minor is wrong, note the value judgement.  Because minors lack legal rights and protections.  However, the selling of sex isn't wrong, which is the value judgement placed on it by the police "investigating."  I also, enjoyed the footnote about the US woman; I have my issues with her as well.  This article doesn't note that the woman was studying prostitution, and equated her experience with other prostitutes...because it is exactly the same.  Selling sex for education is the same as selling sex for survival.   Please note sarcasm.  

Obviously More Women Should be Prostitutes...

Authors Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner, Freakonomics, are putting out a new book entitled Superfreakonomics.  This new book takes an look at prostitution but in the excerpt available thus far profiles two women.  The first works the street in Chicago's South Side making $350 per week.  The second works 15 hours a week in a pretty bedroom for $500 an hour.  This second woman is credited with developing entrepreneurial skills.  These gentlemen never mention race, but this could be interpreted as a story of race and class.  They provide physical descriptions of both women:  "straightened hair" vs. blonde.  The first woman doesn't get much of a background, but the second grew up in a middle class dysfunction family.  

The authors ignore the differences in the backgrounds of the women.  They claim that there is nothing to be concerned about in the "kind" of prostitution practiced by the second woman, but they have cited her dysfunctional family without further discussion, but using the information we know about sex workers most have severely troublesome upbringings.  I am pretty concerned about this book.

Jezebel and The Times Online both looked at this book.

Minneapolis Publishes Johns Pictures

It is about time someone worked to prevent people from soliciting others. Women and girls were being solicited on their way to school or while waiting for the bus. In order to combat these men looking to buy sex the police are going to post the pictures of men who have been caught trying to buy sex on a billboard. The digital billboard was donated by Clear Channel for the next six months. This genius idea combats prostitution by targeting the men paying for sex...sound familiar?

The city of Minneapolis are also seeking stronger penalties for johns including first time offenders.

Pimp.net

I sincerely hope that isn't a real website, but I didn't check because I don't want to know. A friend sent me this article today and unfortunately it wasn't anything new or that we haven't discussed before. Apparently, pimps have figured out how to get online and exploit women at the same time. I mentioned this in a previous posting, Paradox of Prostitution.

According to Wider Blog Network's article, "Pimps Go Online to Lure Kids into Prostitution," pimps are using myspace to target at risk kids and talk them into prostitution. The article also mentions Craigslist as a way for these pimps to advertise their girls...I mean girls, not a euphemism for women. The article mentions two specific pimps (one from Oh..I.O. we're so proud), and the way they targeted their victims. We knew this was going to happen; as technology advances so are criminals. The article mentions what the police and law enforcement organizations are doing to fight sex trafficking, but it doesn't change the fact that these perverts are always going to be one step ahead. As a result we, the opposition to the exploitation of persons, need to fight for stronger punishments for the trafficking and exploitation of people.

The Children of "Born into Brothels"

I read today that the children in the film Born into Brothels all didn't get happy endings. One of the girls in particular who went to the Oscars four years ago has been pulled into the sex trade. It is as if the documentary made no difference expect giving her hope only to have it pulled away.

Preeti Mukherjee works the red light district where the documentary was filmed. She began working one year after experiencing the Oscars. Other children in the documentary were delivered from this lifestyle, but Preeti's mother insisted she stay with her. Preeti now supports her mother by prostituting herself.

I get angry with the mother and the industry which would profit from these children, but not do enough to help them.

Part of D.C. Prostitution Free!

No seriously all you have to do is post a sign, and prostitution will end. I don't know which aspect of this angers me more. That the signs are being posted in specific areas of D.C., that they have an expiration date, or that prostitution is only a problem during the Inauguration.

I'll see your "prostitution free zone" and raise you are violence against women free zone. And my doesn't expire. This is frustrating on so many levels. As many of you who have read this before know my mixed feelings on prostitution and the likes. Seeing that it is not just a labor issue but a women's issue and violence against women's issue.

Paradox of Prostitution

I am the first to admit there are two sides to prostitution. Some women look at it as an opportunity and it is everything they thought it would be, but most aren't that lucky. CNN.com has an article, My Real Life as a Call Girl by Maya Dollarhide, portrays both sides of this issue. The first story is about a girl who got everything she ever wanted with the exception of a brief prison sentence. The second story is far darker and depicts the situation as one which no one should find themselves in. I believe this is both a workers' rights issue and a women's issue. In a perfect world women would be treated with respect in these positions, and they would not be raped, trafficked, or abused. Unfortunately, this is a women's issue because all of those things happen regularly. Reuters also posted an article today about the sex trade. Craigslist is going to start cracking down on ads in which prostitutes solicit online. This is in conjunction with a pact they struck with 40 states.