Prostitution policy, morality and the precautionary principle

Drugs and Alcohol Today,Volume 16, Issue 3, September 2016. Purpose Purpose: This paper explores the contemporary regulation of sex work in England and Wales, placing this in the context of debates concerning morality, evidence and the efficacy of policy. Design/methodology/approach This brief paper is based on reflections on the authors ’ research and their contribution to policy debates over the last two decades. Findings This paper presents prostitution policy as morality policy and suggests that it remains overwhelmingly based on the idea that prostitution is immoral and hence must be inherently harmful. Practical implicat ions The paper makes a strong case for evidence-based policy in an area where morality tends to promote a partial and selective reading of evidence. Here, parallels are drawn with policies regulating other pleasurable but ‘sinful’ activities, including the consumption of drugs and alcohol. Ori ginality/value By highlighting the moral dimensions of prostitution policy, the paper shows that the drift towards the criminalization of sex work in England and Wales is not informed by academic evidence.
Source: Drugs and Alcohol Today - Category: Addiction Source Type: research