By Julie Bindel
Saturday May 15, 2004
The Guardian, UK

In the debate about prostitution, there are those, like the Dutch, who advocate legalising it, and those, like the Swedes, who want to get women off the streets by cracking down on customers and pimps. Julie Bindel investigates the current debate in the U.K.

From a special issue of the Journal Violence Against Women, October, 2004. Articles written by Esohe Aghatise, Gunilla Ekberg, Melissa Farley, and Janice Raymond.

Introduction
by Janice Raymond 2004

Trafficking for Prostitution in Italy: Possible Effects of Government Proposals for Legalization of Brothels
by Esohe Aghatise 2004

The Swedish Law that Prohibits the Purchase of Sexual Services: Best Practices for Prevention of Prostitution and Trafficking in Human Beings
by Gunilla Ekberg 2004

'Bad for the Body, Bad for the Heart': Prostitution Harms Women Even if Legalized or Decriminalized
by Melissa Farley 2004

Prostitution on Demand: Legalizing the Buyers as Sexual Consumers
by Janice Raymond 2004

* This law is a brilliant example of how a truly progressive society addresses prostitution: the law decriminalizes the prostitute but criminalizes customers, pimps, and traffickers. The Swedish government's logic is articulated in this brief article.

(Catharine MacKinnon)
"The gap between the promise of civil rights and the real lives of prostitutes is an abyss which swallows up prostituted women." This article discusses the lack of civil rights among those prostituted, and discusses some legal remedies.

(Janice Raymond)
Discussion of ways that legalized or decriminalized prostitution promotes trafficking expands both legal and illegal prostitution, and fails to promote women's health or make them any safer.