Among the many commonalities shared by those who purchase sex is one striking, yet remediable characteristic: ignorance. The misperception that buying sex is not a moral wrong is held by those who do and do not purchase sex. Sixty percent of Americans believe sex buyers should face no punishment for their actions. In turn, a majority of those who actually purchase sex do not believe their conduct is harmful. According to a Department of Justice (DOJ) study on the effectiveness of education programs administered to sex buyers, many sex buyers view their behavior as non-harmful. This lack of education, this ignorance, leads to grave and devastating consequences.
The truth could not be farther than the one falsely invented by sex buyers, the one bred by ignorance. Over 90 percent of prostituted women want to “leave the life.” According to the American Journal of Epidemiology, when compared to the next most dangerous occupation for females—working in a liquor store—prostituted persons face a “workplace homicide rate” 51 times greater. The perils, horrors, and brutal realties of prostituted persons often ignored and overlooked by those who purchase sex. According to The Organization for Prostitution Survivors (OPS), 75 to 95 percent of prostituted persons were sexually abused as children and 72 percent of prostituted persons are currently or at one time have been homeless. The DOJ study corroborates this truth, noting, “Some of the men really think they’re doing women a favor by providing them with an income and they don’t think there is harm involved. A lot of the men comment on being surprised to learn that prostitution is not a victimless crime.” While far from the only factor that contributes to the crime of buying sex, ignorance plays a significant role in enabling sex buyers to self-justify their criminal acts and take advantage of prostituted persons. Fortunately, there is an effective weapon to combat this ignorance – education.
Some cities, such as San Francisco, are diminishing the demand for sex through the imposition of mandatory educational programs for those charged with purchasing sex. These programs are focused on teaching sex buyers about the circumstances that prostituted persons face and showing the negative impact that the men’s actions have on these persons. According to Michael Shively, a lead author of a Justice Department study on the effectiveness of education programs administered to sex buyers, men who participated in these educational programs were less likely to repeat their offenses. Data supports this conclusion: as the DOJ researchers noted, men who completed the program were 30 percent less likely to purchase sex again. In San Francisco, the recidivism rate for purchasing sex was reduced by three percent. These facts indicate two truths: (1) education is a critical factor in reducing the demand for sex and (2) although education can reduce the demand, ignorance is far from the only factor that contributes to buying sex, and there is not a simple, one-pronged solution to commercial sexual exploitation of persons.
You do not have to create an educational program in order to combat the ignorance that contributes to this issue. One of the best ways to support efforts advocating for prostituted persons is to find and connect with local organizations across the country that provide housing, psychological support, and financial aid support, among other services. Whether you contribute through volunteering with these organizations or by making financial donations, any assistance enables these support networks to expand their works and services. For those in the Villanova community looking to commit even the smallest amount of free time or financial resources toward making a difference, the CSE Institute itself offers opportunities to make an impact.
Regardless of your ability to commit time or financial support, you have the power to commit yourself to education. It is essential for the public to arm itself with education, to research and learn – and then share the true impacts and realities of commercial sexual exploitation with others. Every day presents an opportunity to inform others and prevent the sale of sex before it occurs.
All views expressed herein are personal to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law or of Villanova University.
Ryan Kelly is currently a first-year law student at the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. Ryan is from Springfield, Pennsylvania and received a Bachelor of Arts in Public Affairs from The Ohio State University. After graduation, Ryan hopes to become either a corporate attorney specializing in either litigation or transactional law.