Georgian citizens are urged to sign a petition for Georgia's lawmakers to:
"hold the adult entertainment industry accountable by passing a $5 per patron surcharge on those who frequent adult entertainment establishments to help children trafficked for sex in the surrounding community."The $5 surcharge, in effect, will potentially help to curb commercial sex patronage in the area while raising much-needed funds (and awareness) for child victims of sex trafficking. One thing is clear, especially as I read more of a book on sex trafficking called "The Natashas:" trafficking and commercial sex outlets like strip clubs and "massage parlors" are very closely linked. Obviously not every strip club and prostitution ring involve trafficked girls and women, but unfortunately, many do--often without patrons even realizing it.
Personally, I think this surchage is a fantastic idea. But, admittedly, I just heard about it and haven't had a chance to give it too much thought or research. What do you think? Are there any "cons" to this suggested legislature to consider? Would this have any unintended negative consequences or in any way harm women or children trafficked into the sex trade--or is it one of the brightest and most practical ideas we've heard in awhile? As of now, I'm standing full-fledged behind the petition and surcharge unless convinced otherwise.
If you're a Georgia resident, seriously consider putting your name and county on this petition: "We Urge You." And for everybody else--feel free to leave your opinion in the comments.
A Heart of Money. Photo by Wisforworlddomination.
Update: Or maybe, in addition to requiring a working phone number, Craigslist could put a $5 surcharge on its erotic services section....
Update #2: Okay, according to this CNN article, Craigslist is in fact already charging a fee to place ads in its erotic services section. But police say it's not that effective because people using the site for prostitution purposes often use fraudulent credit cards or just move the ads to the free section. Sigh...
6 comments:
I recognize the intention here, and I applaud ANY local government who's trying to think of new ways to help push against the ugliness of this issue. BUT, my initial reaction was very much a "isn't this putting the cart before the horse, a bit?"
Meaning, I'd much rather a local government enforce surcharges in some way that aided in prevention. I certainly get that ALL sides of the issue--prevention, victims' services, aftercare, etc., are exceptionally important, but the only reason this way of funding aftercare rubs me at least a little in the wrong way, is that it sounds like it's saying it's OK to continue for patrons to drive the industry along, as long as they're paying a fee.
Again, I recognize the intent, and my hat's off to Georgia for trying to do ANYthing to help. This is a REALLY interesting question. I'm actually going to pose it to the two women who run Polaris Project out here in Colorado and get their opinions on it.
Thanks for doing what you do, and keeping the dialogue open.
Brandi, I think you have a really good point. In some ways I think this legislation, if it passes, could eventually become a way to justify continuing to patronize the industry--almost akin to a carbon tax of "buying" your way to justify a hurtful action. At the same time, I appreciate YOUR appreciation for Georgia's attempts to do something positive around the situation. I'll keep my eyes out for any updates around the petition and if new legislation results from it, and I look forward to continuing this discussion with you.
Alrighty...as promised, I talked to my peeps over at Polaris, and this is the gist of what one of them pointed out:
She brought up the question, "What if passing this legislation creates this incredible pool for caring for survivors? Will we ever want to do away with strip clubs?" That pool of money would serve as a tremendous asset, and if ever taken away, could be incredibly detrimental to survivors, and its existence won't ever really encourage anyone to want to shut down one--or all--of the strip clubs in the area.
Thought she made a good point...
Hi Brandi,
Thanks for asking around and getting even more insight from Polaris. They raise an interesting point and I was thinking about it a lot this weekend. What it brings to my mind is similar to something like a cigarette tax--e.g., if we taxed cigarette sales $5 to pay for resulting healthcare costs like emphysema. I think the hope would be that the raised price would deter people from paying for the cigarettes in the first place; that it would force them to think about the potential resulting effects of purchasing the cigarettes; and would put a structure in place to help with the harmful effects of cigarette smoking, while it continues to be a legal activity in our country. But I don't think, even if it provided excellent hospital/health care for lung disease and the host of other terrible health problems that accompany smoking, that people would argue against doing away with cigarettes simply because the resulting care money was too good. That's sort of what I was wrestling around in my mind this weekend. But it's an interesting point and something that I'll have to keep thinking about. Thanks for the insight and additional food for thought!
So, I woke up this morning to an email newsletter from Not For Sale, asking advocates to call the Georgia governor and sign the petition for this. Interesting that Not For Sale is wanting to advocate for it.
Good thought on the cigarette issue, for sure! My only thought is that cigarettes are scientifically proven to be bad for you, so I don't think anyone (at least in this point of time in history) would argue that they're bad for you physically. They might, however, argue that they have a *right* to smoke them and do to their bodies what they will. But, the sex industry's never going to have a scientific backing against it...it's a moral issue when it comes down to it.
But, you definitely have a point. Curious, though...is the legislation going to require that strip clubs let the patrons know that this is why they're all the sudden charging? I think that would definitely be a good form of awareness, and might make them think about what's going on behind the scenes. Otherwise, I'm thinking people who aren't "regulars" of strip clubs, might not even think it strange that they're being charged, and won't even ask. I'm guessing you have better insight there...knowing what will surround the legislation, in terms of strip clubs putting up signs, or informing the individuals who come in...
Again, all very interesting. I'll definitely be watching to see what happens! Thanks to YOU for creating dialogue. I'm hoping to read The Natashas soon... :)
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