Unveiling the Negative Health Impact of Prostitution

Psychological affects

Prostitution often involves a lot of psychological problems such as guilt, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and fear. Feelings of guilt can cause a person to feel ashamed and embarrassed or even withdrawn and isolated. Depression often results from feeling degraded, humiliated, and helpless in the face of their circumstances.

A recent study found that women who reported experiencing a postgraduate level of mental distress had higher odds of becoming involved in prostitution or sex work. Additionally, abused women tend to suffer higher levels of psychological distress that can be perpetuated in prostitution, resulting in trauma-bonding and creating further psychological issues for the victim. This suggests a correlation of the intensity of the psychological problems and engaging in prostitution.

In addition to depression, women involved in prostitution also can experience post- traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is also an emotional consequence that can further lead to physical problems. One study conducted in India on health problems of Female Sex Workers found that they had a higher prevalence of mental health problems including anxiety and depression.

Physical affects

Physical health problems associated with prostitution are oftentimes overlooked. Women involved in prostitution are at a higher risk of becoming ill due to their sexual activities as well as from the occupational hazards that come with such a job. For example, Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and HIV/AIDS are some of the most obvious physical health risks associated with prostitution.

A survey of Female Sex Workers from Thailand reported that a staggering 65.6% tested HIV positive and 64.7% tested positive for other STDs. This data is extremely concerning and suggests that prevention and education of diseases needs to be consistently put into place in order to reduce these concerning statistics.

Apart from STDs and HIV/AIDS, prostitution can also be associated with other physical health issues such as reproductive health problems, drug addiction, and physical abuse caused by partners. Drug addiction is also an alarming issue for Female Sex Workers, as it can further lead to HIV and AIDS if they use injections.

Social Impact

Prostitution is a major cause of social stigma and can contribute to ostracization and marginalization. Many individuals, communities, and countries are unaccepting of this profession, resulting in sex workers facing emotional and physical abuse. Prostitution also creates divisions within the society, leading to those involved in sex work feeling isolated and stigmatized by their peers.

Sex workers often feel unable to tell friends or family members about their occupations, which can leave them feeling even more isolated. The majority of life realities associated with sex work remain stigmatized and are not accepted by the general public. This lack of acceptance can further create feelings of loneliness and fear and can even affect religious beliefs for some individuals.

Human Rights Abuse

Prostitution can also be seen as a violation of human rights. In many societies, it is not uncommon to see women in prostitution treated as objects or commodities. Many countries “legalize” or “regulate” prostitution to control and manage it, yet this will never erase its basic violation of human rights.

For example, research conducted in India on regulating prostitution showed that many women continued to be victims of trafficking, as reported by NGO’s. These women were kept away from the public, in isolated spaces, and were put under immense physical and psychological pressure, often underpaid and sexually abused. It is well known that in India there is a large number of victims of prostitution and human trafficking, which shows the urgent need for governments to provide assistance and take action.  

Political Discrimination

Prostitution can be seen as an affront to political beliefs. In many Western countries, especially Europe, prostitution is commonly seen as a commercial form of public relations, which gives governments the sense of owning the female body. This form of economic control over women is often seen as an affront to liberal human rights policies, and an infringement on the right to personal autonomy and bodily integrity.

In addition, many countries believe that  prostitution  is immoral and goes against the values and morals of the nation. This type of attitude has led to the marginalization of sex workers who are struggling to provide for their families in a society where their profession is not accepted. As a result, the society is denouncing an activity which is not necessarily harmful to their morals or their political beliefs, but which is instead a victim of its stigma.

Economic Discrimination

One effect of prostitution is that it has created financial incentives for those involved in the act itself. This is to say that women often sell their bodies to make quick money to get out of poverty, and men contribute to this financial incentive by being willing to pay for sex.

Prostitution further divides the rich and the poor, creating an even bigger economic gap in society. This has led to a sense of inequality that can eventually lead to class wars. Researchers have found that women in the sex industry tend to make far less money than their male counterparts, creating a gender gap where women feel more and more dependent on the economic benefits of prostitution.

Cultural Impact

The cultural perception of prostitution can shape how individuals view themselves and their peers. In many negative cultural perceptions, prostitutes are seen as objects or commodities to be bought and sold. This can lead to feelings of shame and guilt which can impact an individual's expectations of themselves in the future.

Moreover, prostitution is often linked to criminal activities, such as human trafficking, drug abuse, and organized crime. This further expands the negative effects of prostitution as it leads to people feeling unsafe and vulnerable. Therefore, it is important to recognize that prostitution is a major problem that needs to be addressed in order to create a safer and more peaceful society.

Education and Prevention

Education and prevention are key components of reducing the negative health impacts of prostitution. A large part of the responsibility falls on governments to provide assistance and take proactive action against prostitution. Governments should recognize prostitution as a form of sexual exploitation and work towards reducing, if not eliminating, it entirely.

Educational projects and campaigns should be put in place to educate citizens on the risks and dangers of prostitution. People should be made more aware of the psychological, physical, and social consequences that come with selling one's body. This would help to reduce the stigma that comes with prostitution, allowing more individuals to be employed in other ways to help improve their daily lives.

In addition, governments should create and implement services and policies that would provide support and assistance to prostitutes. These services and policies should address physical and mental health issues, as well as social and economic issues. Governments should also provide assistance in getting these individuals out of the sex industry and into other, more safe, employment alternatives.

Institutional Care

Prostitution often goes hand-in-hand with substance abuse, which is why providing institutional care for those who are addicted is important. Institutions should provide medical and psychological support to those in need. This could include drug and alcohol recovery programs, addiction counseling, and vocational training.

These types of programs could help to reduce relapse and provide hope for those attempting to leave the industry and build a future that does not involve prostitution. This would also help to provide more job opportunities for those attempting to get out of the sex industry.

In addition, there should be more laws and regulations in place that protect sex workers from exploitation and abuse. These laws should address the power imbalance between buyers and sellers, provide safety measures, and consider research-based policies that are proven to be effective in eliminating prostitution. This would help to reduce violence against sex workers, create better working conditions for those involved in prostitution, and ultimately reduce the negative health impacts associated with it.

Policy Implications

Prostitution is an activity with numerous health impacts, and governments should take action to reduce or eliminate it altogether. Companies should take up corporate social responsibility initiatives to combat exploitation and abuse in the sex industry. This should include creating policies and advocating for better working conditions, reducing recruitment and supply chains of sex workers, and offering opportunities for those attempting to exit the industry.

These initiatives should be tailored to the unique needs and circumstances of each country, aiming to provide social and economic alternatives to those in need. Governments should also implement policies that provide support for victims to reintegrate into society and access necessary resources to assist in their rehabilitation and reintegration.

Lastly, governments must also put policies in place that protect those engaging in prostitution and the victims of trafficking. This should include laws that ensure understanding of the laws and rights of those involving in prostitution, protecting them from exploitation and abuse. Governments should also take up initiatives to ensure access to health services for those in prostitution, as well as creating programs to increase awareness of the physical, psychological, and social implications of prostitution.