Op-Ed Contributors

Debate: Prostitution

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-05-31 07:50

China's sex industry may not have expanded or contracted in recent years, but it certainly has developed some new features brought about by changing social patterns. First, it has become more "international" with an increasing number of prostitutes moving across national borders. Second, it is becoming city-centric. And though more middle-aged and/or low-income men are visiting prostitutes, the "rates" have more or less remained unchanged.

Moreover, the sex network has been expanding, with drugs and "ice" bringing in new risks. In some areas, prostitution has become like a family business. The services offered by prostitutes have diversified, and male prostitutes and even bisexuals have entered the flesh trade. But despite all this, prostitutes have to face more violence.

Prostitutes are a major target group of AIDS-prevention work. And the government's AIDS-prevention policies and regulations, such as the one promoting the use of condoms, have indeed helped them become more aware about the threat of HIV/AIDS. But they are still a disadvantaged and marginalized group because society not only discriminates against them, but also treats them like criminals.

Very few prostitutes can get help from police or the judiciary even after being beaten up brutally by their bosses or clients. Intensive AIDS-prevention work cannot be carried out among them because they are marginalized in society. And as brothels become more and more secretive - with the help of corrupt officials and gangs - because of stricter government measures against prostitution and pornography, it is becoming increasingly difficult to prevent the spread of venereal diseases among them.

There are roughly three ways in which country laws treats the sex industry: illegal, legal or non-criminal, with the third becoming a highly debated topic in recent years. As some countries' experiences show, despite political and moral factors, cooperation between prostitutes' organizations and governments can better help prevent the spread of and treatment of HIV/AIDS. In the absence of such cooperation, it will be very difficult to protect them against HIV/AIDS, violence and torture.

The author is a scholar at the Institute of Research on Sexuality and Gender, affiliated to Renmin University of China.