BBM. A general opinion because we are having a serious, multi-faceted, problem in the society.
I, too, have met- probably less than you, but many - women in sex trade, ranging from bona fide escort ladies to sugar babies to prostitutes who, introduced to hardcore drugs by their pimps, were 100% exploited.
My opinion is - and I attempted to help the last group - that it is hard to sway them because, sadly, money, drugs or drug-related debt, diminish any choices.
And all these women run a huge risk, either of being killed, or of health hazards associated with the lifestyle, to name a few. The real world is not glamorous, but it keeps women in its claws because of the money involved.
Why am I commenting on your post? I agree, we have to raise girls in better understanding of the fact that any such arrangements are not healthy, but if we overdo it, those who step over that boundary, may never return because of guilt and shame.
The problem is, once they step over that line - be it sex trade or drugs or often, both - they, in a way, become invisible and often, unrecoverable. And the true reason being, both activities are heavily criminalized. This is what makes their world secretive and deceptive.
Nothing will change unless both sex trade and drugs are decriminalized. Unless it is done, we are living in the world of war, of prohibition-like measures, and they have been shown to be hazardous a century ago.
Shall we have fewer problems if we decriminalize both activities? Will fewer people be lured into them? Probably, not, initially. However, decreasing secrecy and minimizing fear of punishment and ostracism will ultimately lead to openness, and that, in turn, will provide better protection, help and counseling. And recovery.
About drugs - I have my idea what measures would help. About sex trade I know less, but I hope that removing guilt and shame will help people turn back without fear of that black spot on their resumes.
ML was simply unlucky kid who ran into a monster. But I am thinking that he viewed her as disposable because he assumed our community would feel the same.
Luckily, not so. And in general I am against DP, but if the state of Utah keeps it on the table in this case, i’ll applaud them because it will send a very powerful message to the world.
ETA. In no way I imply drugs involved here. It is just that I consider any form of prohibition damaging to the society, and today it mostly involves drugs and sex trade.
