Prostitution Problem in Los Angeles the Problem

Prostitution Problem in Los Angeles

The problem of prostitution is one of the very old and difficult one to tackle. If left unattended this amoral practice will lead to a total social breakdown. Today the United States is being plagued badly by the menace of prostitution. Los Angeles in particular is affected the most and prostitution has assumed grave proportions. The various initiatives and new laws implemented by the government have not succeeded in improving the problem. Let us analyze the problem in a little detail so that we can have a better perspective of the issue and propose effective measures to eliminate this evil from the society.

The situation

In the United States the problem of prostitution is on the rise despite the strict laws that were passed in many of the states to rule prostitution as an illegal profession. It is virtually impossible to figure out the actual number of prostitutes engaged in the business because the whole profession is secretive and the only rough estimate that we have is from the number of people who are arrested. The facts based on the 1997 records

Reveals an alarming and bleak scenario for Los Angeles. In fact Los Angeles tops the list with around 20,909 prostitution-related cases. [Advocacy Committee for Women's Concerns]

The Problem

The growth of Prostitution is a deplorable one as it is the direct reason for the spread of AIDS and other forms of sexually transmitted diseases. Prostitution undermines the structure of the society and wreaks havoc in the family life. What is more alarming is the number of cases of forced prostitution. There are more than 5000 immigrants (Chinese) who are virtually forced into prostitution in the streets of Los Angeles. [CAST] Given the ever increasing number women and children engaging in prostitution unless we take some immediate measures to curb this evil it will surely invade into the vitals of our society. To solve any problem we need to understand the root cause for the issue. Economic stability is one of the major cause for women (since women constitute the majority) to enter into prostitution. In fact the survey taken by UNICEF (1997) indicates that more than 5000 outcast children active in the sexual market in Los Angeles. So we understand the main reason for prostitution alongside the economic considerations is the lack of proper social structure and education. (Especially in orphaned children). [Advocacy Committee for Women's Concerns]

The Present Scenario

The government of Los Angeles bans prostitution as an illegal profession and has recently passed many laws to eradicate it. In spite of all this the prostitution ring continues to surge. It makes no sense to spend all the money and time in tacking down prostitutes when it does not yield good results. Invariably prostitutes are arrested dozens of times and still continue on with their profession. The recently passed law known as the "Three strikes and you take the bus" law is a novel method of handling roadside soliciting. This law allows the cops to seize the cars of men who seek for prostitutes alongside the roads and keep it with them for 30 days for the first time and 60 days in case the same person is caught the second time. If he is caught for the third time the car is permanently seized. Los Angeles City Councilman, Tom LaBonge says this law would be an effective way of curbing roadside soliciting of prostitutes. He says that "If you talk to people who live in these neighborhoods... multiple times during the night people park in front of their houses and engage in illegal activities, then leave their trash on the street for children and residents to find," This a radical method of fighting prostitution and in itself indicates the graveness of the situation. (prostitutes have virtually invaded all the important places of the city). [Gina Keating]

Many other States have a totally different approach to this problem. In Florida for example law enforcement officials have a novel program wherein the prostitutes are provided with 'spending money' and a free bus ticket to leave the city. (5 years banishment). While this kind of approach may work out to some degree of success it does not address the root of the problem and this approach only leads to the shifting or relocating the problem to another location, (Usually Prostitutes end up in Washington). [Author not Available]

The Solution

Community involvement and reformative procedures)