London Olympic officials bracing for potential prostitution boom
With all the concerns involving security, housing, venues and more that surround hosting the Olympic Games, one potential problem has a tendency to slip through the cracks: prostitution.
According to the BBC, former Minister for the Olympics Tessa Jowell told the Metro Police Authority back in January of 2010 that she would not stand for women being trafficked to London in search of business.
“Major sporting events can be a magnet for the global sex and trafficking industry; this is wholly unacceptable,” Jowell said. “I am determined that traffickers will not exploit London 2012.”
During the Athens Olympics in 2004, it is believed that the number of known human trafficking victims almost doubled. Those numbers have been widely disputed, but that event certainly raised awareness about the potential problems events of a similar scale could face with regard to prostitution. Studies have found that prostitution is a significant issue during the World Cup as well.
Based on what he claims he saw at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, world famous Moonlite Bunny Ranch owner Dennis Hof said he fully expects a large amount of women to be shipped to London by gangs and other illegal organizations.
“(I expect) 1,000 girls to be trafficked in by South East Asian, Albanian and African gangs, violent gangs involved in crime and drugs,” Hof said.
Conservative London Assembly Member Andrew Boff says raids on brothels have increased as the Olympics approach, and that 80 have been closed in the Olympic borough of Newham in the past 20 months. Police deny that there has been any increased “crackdown” on brothels in the Olympic boroughs.
Reported cases of prostitution at actual sporting events is low. At the Rugby World Cup, it certainly sounds like it was a real thing. For the most part, speculation about women being trafficked into a country is the driving force behind the preparations and precautions. The media have been accused of sensationalizing the issue, but obviously officials in London feel strongly enough about it that they are taking steps to address it.
Photo credit: Infrogmation of New Orleans
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73 Comments:
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..And the sale of Cialis, Viagra, and Levitra are skyrocketing all over England!
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No hookers at the Olympics? The US Secret Service will be so disappointed!
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ditto that
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Too bad for the Secret Service.......good news to see our tax money not going for another gubmint boondoggle.
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ROFL! So sad for them ...!
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Beat me to it.
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As with marijuana, is trafficking a result of legal prostitution, or keeping it illegal. If it were legal and regulated with inspections, etc, would there really be an ability to keep these girls locked away?
I happen to believe in the freedom to do as you please as long as you don't impinge very deeply on someone else's liberty, etc, but things like prostitution can have pretty broad effects on things like families, which we see as a benefit to society as a whole. If a man or woman can simply pay for sex outside of a marriage, that does have the potential to break down intimacy and cause long term erosion of a relationship, etc. I do understand that adultery when it's illegal does the same thing.
Finally, as opposed to the idea that legal prostitution "exploits" women, it's worth considering that there are pretty powerful forced aligned against it because it would actually empower women. They do, in fact, control the product, and in a nominally free society like the US where women have relatively equal rights and free speech etc, it would give them an awful lot of control over a male population and power structure that hasn't historically been very good at controlling its libido. -
intimacy in the marriage is broken down by the individual "choosing" to go outside the marriage and participate in prostitution or whatever.
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I understand. My point is that legalized prostitution would make that easier.
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In regards to the last comment, I feel like the people the women work for would be more empowered than the women themselves. Who is more empowered, the prostitute or the pimp
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But again, part of the reason the pimp has power is because in an illegal industry, strength, intimidation and ruthlessness are the characteristics that prevail. Women can't do this on their own. But in a legal industry, women *could*, if they chose, take control since they own the only product. I know that historically they haven't, as in the porn industry, but keeping them from taking on such a powerful role in society could be one facet of why the existing power structure pushes back against legalizing it.
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That is a good point and it is something to think about, but I always thought the need for pimps wasn’t necessarily just because prostitution was illegal. Whether legal or illegal selling sex will attract some bad apples and thus the women will always need protection (the role of the pimp). Therefore a prostitute whether legal or illegal will always be second to the protection, without it she would be put in defenseless situations. I also doubt the public would be willing to pass a law that allowed tax dollars to be put toward prostitution protection. Not to mention legalization of prostitution is vary strongly correlated with huge increases in sex trafficking (not the kind by choice).
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Agreed, except for sometime there's sex slaves, now that's what the police should be consentrating on instead.
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It's not a big deal for consenting adults, but the majority of women involved with these gangs, being "trafficed" it is against their will. So many of them have been abducted and kidnapped and forced to do these things. Not a matter of exploitation. I can also guarrantee that there will be a large number of children among that group brought in for prostitution as well.
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I want to respond to your question in good faith that you truly want an answer to the question "what's the big deal?"
Firstly, while there are a portion of women that choose prostitution as a trade, there is also a significat portion of women and underage GIRlS that have NOT "chosen" this profession. Rather, they are from poverty striken countries who have been tricked into this life by the promise of "nanny-housekeeping-retail-factory-modeling...etc, etc..." jobs. You don't believe it? Check it out for yourself. There are other reasons, but let's just leave it at ONE reason why it's an oversimplification and extreme naivity to believe that paid for sex is harmless.
http://www.victimsofviolence.on.ca/rev2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=330&Itemid=20 -
I must agree with you on the abuse of children. I have 4 grown kids today&would be terribly upset if 1 of them was forced to do anything. On the other hand, consenting adults should be free to charge for it if they dont want to GIVE it away. Its kind of unfair that way too isnt it? "hey, is he paying you for sex? No! Oh, ok..proceed. Just checking. You can do it, but dont charge. Dont pay! If it were the safety alone? I raise my voice with yours. I've been around awhile, unfortunately, those poor girls are merely an excuse, to make sure those dollars go where they are supposed to go. Right back to the Bank!
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Who cares? Does it really matter?
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because it isn't always a choice for the woman. If it is a choice she makes, then fine, but if it is forced upon her, then definitely NOT okay, thus the problem
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This is not about prostitution. This trafficing women, most underage, for sex after plying them with drugs. These women are not there for fun and money because they see neither.
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Then make the law that way! Dont deprive ugly,fat,shy,goofy,lonely,horny, people from paying for it. Nor women for charging...why should the restaurant&the stores get the money¬ her. Its her body. I think a lot of guys would've went&paid a hooker to relieve their tension were it legal; instead of going to get twisted on booze&drugs. Or up in some tower somewhere picking off innocents. And the gold-diggers would be more honest with their intentions,&the state could even get in on it w/health certificates&all..tax it too. Then governors&senators could keep their jobs. And lord knows what we could do w/the revenue. Less jails,crime,DV,dysfunctional relationships&families, addictions,mental illness.More schools,jobs,HONESTY. Its all related to sexual tension.
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That, my friend, is part of the reason why I live in the Great State of Nevada! You can pay for sex, gamble and drink 24 hours a day! it's God's country!
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The BIG deal is that they are talking about HUMAN TRAFFICKING!!! That is not THEIR choice as you put it. And if you have to pay for sex...So sorry for U!!!
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sweido, you are so wrong! It does exploit women. The majority of these women are sex slaves doing this agains their will. They are forced to do this fearing they or their families will be harmed or even worse. It happens, even to the best of women. They get trapped so don't come across the it's their choice. You should read up on sex trafficking before you make comments like this.
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The continued *IGNORANCE* by people continues to astound.
You don't need the "how it exploits (not explots) women speech", Huh?
How about the, "I'm drugged, then raped into submission speech?
It's easy enough to do this to adults, but I wonder if you thought (oh yeah, forgot, YOU DON'T THINK) how easy this is to do to a female (or if your "mind" can get a grip on this one, males/little boys aren't exempt from being "exploited") if he/she is under the age of puberty.
And since gangs & organized crime never use violence or force to keep people in line, I guess it IS their choice!
THINK with the organ above your neck, genius, not below your waist... -
That is incredibly ignorant. The question here is not "prostitution" itself, but the illegal trading of human beings, vulnerable women and girls who are held against their will. In human trafficking, it is NOT a choice.
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If a woman is choosing of her own free will then ok. Trafficing is about woman and children being kidnapped and drugged and then forced to perform against their will. That is DEAD WRONG!!! No one should be forced to endure such a thing. This is sick that grown ass men will pay a thug to have sex with a 4 year old in a corn field....
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The big deal is the young girls and boys brought in from poor areas of the world to be used like trash for the pleasure of sick men and women that don't give a damn about human choice.
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I think the commenter only read the headline not the entire story...
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I think the main issue here is that many of these women (especially from Asian countries) are being used against their will for prostitution. These aren't women who freely go into it.
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A choice? It is not a choice it usally out of desperation--drugs (yea, that is a choice). But run aways, women who have no where else to turn for money. The Hip and Rich girls--prob. way beyond your little income--maybe they had a choice. But the ones at the bottom and middle, and some at the top did not. idiot.
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It is a big deal when they traffic dozens to hundreds of girls against their will, drug them, and enslave them until they are "used up", which is mostly what this article was referring to.
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Are you serious?? Whats the big deal? “(I expect) 1,000 girls to be trafficked in by South East Asian, Albanian and African gangs, violent gangs involved in crime and drugs,” Hof said.
How many of these "girls" do you think are willing to be apart of this and haven't been kidnapped and forced into it, and how many do you think are over the age of 18?! That's the big deal! If you think these girls aren't being raped and really WANT to be a prostitute, then you are one delusional person. And if you realize that is the case and still don't see the big deal, then you are one sick person. -
Please be informed. Not ALL women have a choice. Do some research on how many, many women are girls are trafficked for this profession. Forced by threat of death and/or regular beatings. TRUST ME when I tell you this is a very REAL problem.
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@ sweido The simple answer is that "illegal" prostitution is impossible to tax, and there is the "rub". In addition, it is claimed that many of these women are "forced" into this trade; therefore "exploited". To legalize prostitution would put an end to the gangs that are said to profit handsomely from this , plus it would add taxes to the various cities and states. Win-Win".
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Their choice??? Are you kidding me? These girls are being smuggled and displaced from everything they know and forced into sex SLAVERY. Every girl out there has a pimp who controls her and forces her to have sex. And there's 2 types of pimps the 'Guerilla Pimps' abduct girls, beat and rape them, and tell that this will keep happening unless she works for him. The 'Finesse Pimp' who will make the girl fall in love with him, buy her things, and then manipulate her into prostitution saying that it will only be temporary and they’ll take the money and be rich soon. They usually turn to 'Guerilla Pimp' tactics. The girls are constantly watched when they are on the track and any money they make is given over to the pimp who spends it. Pimps seek girls on social network sites, malls, high schools and middle schools, on the streets, public transportation stations, group homes and juvenile detention facilities. Pimps are the masters of seduction and they identify vulnerabilities. They put the girls through physical and psychological torture. Oftentimes a pimp will require a girl to come out of a group home or juvenile hall having recruited another girl. This could get you special privileges or make you a “bottom bitch” which is another girl who oversees the girls that are below her. Pimp culture has been glamorized through music and the media when really it's a business that ruins womens' lives and many YOUNG girls. So don't tell me it's a choice girls have.
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I say sweido, I do agree with you. A consenting adult should be able to rent her body to another consenting ADULT. Kids thats a totally different matter. I'm not really sure what the deal is. BUt it is a "deal". My theory is that when you pay the lady, it cuts out the movie, the restaurant, the stores, et. al. Maybe even the hotel if you have a cozy bit of a vehicle going on there. SAFE sex of course, i believe should be legalized. We'd have far much less trouble in the world if it were. BUt then less trouble would trouble some folk if you know what I mean. Such hypocrites I declare.
peace/paz/salam/shalom -
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Dumbass,
For most girls it is not their choice. They are sometimes pressured into this lifestyle because they have nowhere else to go. First of all it is illegal because there is no screening for carriers of diseases. Having this lifestyle illegal slows the spread of said diseases. Another reason is that the girls are beaten if they have a Pimp and don't get to hold onto 100% of their hard-earned money. Don't just type a post to post something. Use your head and try to write something intelligent. -
The story is about human trafficking, not freedom of choice. Girls forced into prostitution by violent gangs, not "Julia Roberts Pretty Woman" entrepreneurs.
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In the kind of prostitution they're worried about, it's NOT the women's choice. Illegal traffickers kidnap women, or lure them in with false pretenses, then force them into prostitution. Generally they do this by getting them hooked on heroin, then withholding their "fix" unless they do as they're told. And if you've never heard what heroin withdrawal is like, well, you've heard of torture, I'm sure.
If it's the woman's choice, that's one thing; but these traffickers play on young girls' dreams to force them into something they would never do in a million years otherwise. -
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Judging from the context of this article it’s about women who may not have a choice, (used by violent gangs to make profit...) making this legal could result in increased demand and therefore increases in kidnapping of underage women, getting them addicted to drugs... Kind of like when slavery was still legal and there was a huge increase in kidnapping people for to sell as slaves
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Really? So slavery is ok? That is the whole point if you actually read the article!They are no worried about the sale of sex, they are worried about human trafficers. They kidnap little girls and boys from the streets and turn them into slaves. It is sad and so many people don't realize it. These girls are the streets are not doing it for themselves, they are doing it for their pimp who enslaves them, and in many cases will kill them when they try to run away or have grown older.
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Pole vault?
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This be deal is many of the women are forced into prostitution through gangs. Also a number of the women are underaged. If there are women of legal age willing to sell their bodies, more power to them, no judgement here.
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These women are brought there against their will. THAT'S why it's illegal! Last I checked slavery wasn't a 'freedom of choice'.
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AMEN!
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Sweido - you really don't understand the exploits women comment you just made...there are those who "choose" as you say to work in business of prostitution, however, there are sssooo many more who are kidnapped, tortured and forced into drugs for the sex trade. And these are not just women, these are little girls beginning as young as 11. As sick as it is, there are people out there who really have that "desire" for younger women. There are men, women, boys and girls...they are taken from all countries and bought and sold just like cattle. You need a little social awareness.
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I think they are referring to women who are being forced into prostitution being shipped in...these aren't women who are choosing to do it...that's why it's a big deal...
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Amen. Children are kidnapped around the world for this purpose. I have seen reports on human traffiking where young girls (and boys) are stuffed into dog crates and transported in trunks to be sold into sexual slaver.y. They are starved, abused, and told that if they escape, their families will be killed. Exploiting these kids to make a buck for drug cartels is no one's "right"
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Hey ladies, don't mess with the Olympians or the U.S.Secret Service, they have work to do! However, don't worry, they'll be plenty of men left over to steal from!
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It is not their choice when these women are trafficked in. Many women who are used for this by gangs have been bought/stolen from their families and are held against their will, many of them minors. Now if you have an adult woman working out of her own free will, its her own fault, and who ever is stupid enough to pay her for sex, but when woman are "owned" for this purpose...now that should be stopped
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This seems to be the common response, but aren't problems like these caused by the fact that it's illegal? The reason that gangs are involved is because it's a black market. If it were a legal industry with locations in respectable neighborhoods at reasonable prices with inspections,etc, would this still be the case?
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Yes it would!!! There are very sick people in this world. Men are paying for sex with little girls... A four year old girl was kidnapped, put on display and sold to the highest bidder over and over again. She was rapped 15 times in 24 hours. Her vagina was hamburger meat by the time she was found.... Whether prostitution is legal or not this crap will still happen
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Making prostitution legal wouldn't solve anything. There will still be women and young girls forced into the trade because of the high demand. You could never get enough consenting adults in to quench the greed of sex traffickers... Also, seriously, if you can't get what you need for free in this day and age, you are one sad person... Try craigslist personals.
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I agree, but the reason is simple... You cant have ANY business without paying taxes. There is no way for the govt to track the funds that prostitution brings in. If it were legal, alot of people would choose it as a main source of income and the govt would be screwed (haha)
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Is it? This is the problem with it.
http://www.iast.net/thefacts.htm
I agree if an adult women willfully chooses prostitution as a profession and a man is willing to pay for it what's the big deal but if you have the scum of the world stealing young women and forcing them into prostitution well then. And this does happen even in our backyard. -
Forced prostitution which includes females who are under aged or those forced to participate for whatever reason---nah;those who readily desire this line of work---its their body and choice.But,I would feel like my parenting skills were lacking--if it were my daughter/son,hustling 'round from bed to bed, city to city,etc.in search of horny,power-hungry butts seeking to fulfill a cess pool of fantasies.The smart,enterprising Prostitute is the one that will use his or her know-how to teach unsuspecting wives/husbands how to mimic the bedroom skills of their profession:How to blo$ your man/woman to sleep in one move or Divorce-proof your marriage with secrets of a prostitute,etc.
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It is not for nothing that, it is "The World's Oldest Profession"! If it were freely (NOT "free"!) available, regulated and taxed, then, the "incentive" for the Swine who exploit and kidnap the innocent, would no longer be there BECAUSE there is NOT such a "ravenous" demand, for what is READILY Available! It's the old "CAN'T HAVE-MUST HAVE" Syndrome!! "Supply and DEMAND"!
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SCARCETY makes "Value"! (Look at DIAMONDS!)
ABUNDANCE makes NONCHALANCE! -
I agree. That's why a lot of things are illegal that are. If the government can't regulate prostitution, they will never make it legal, like marijuana. I don't think they should because we would have more disease being spread in the U.S., and you would have to test everyone you decide to sleep with because you unless you saran wrap your whole body, you can't trust a condom alone to protect you.
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Unfortunatly there is a "demand" even if it were legal.....it is a demand for CHILDREN....yes CHILDREN. What kind of sick, twisted human being would force a child to have sex???? Sadly the answere is PLENTY. There are some very SICK twisted men in this world and they are doctors, lawyers, high profile business men. Somebody tell me why they just can't keep it in their pants or have sex with an ADULT!!!!!
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in 1999 the Center For Disease Control registered stats for having sex with prostitutes/shared needle users/anal sex at being over 99% for contracting HIV/AIDS. In 2006 they found 2 new strands of HIV/AIDS that cause the victim to only live for 2 yrs regardless of all medicines and that now they are not sure how many strands of HIV/AIDS are out there because they've only been testing for one strand.
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I know of many women that would LOVE to make it with Olympian Qualified lovers. Unfortunately too few of us meet those qualifications.
So why not an Olympic Bed-Bounce event? -
Prostitution always was and always will be til the day we all die. Get used to it. If you want to try to regulate it make it legal.
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What and miss the US tax dollars at work.
