Violence Against Prostitute Women: Social and Legal Dilemmas

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Abstract
Violence against prostitute women is both prevalent and hidden. It may take the form of assault by a client or stranger, or psychological coercion to provide sex on the part of law enforcement personnel. The social organisation of prostitution into dominant modes such as streetwalking, brothel or massage parlour prostitution increases the likelihood that female prostitutes will be physically and sexually abused. Further, current police practices in regulating prostitution within some Australian states create optimum conditions for the abuse of prostitutes. However, this victimisation should be interpreted within the context of social structural factors. For example, the legal response to prostitution favoured within each state is important. This paper examines the various legal approaches to prostitution and assesses the impact of these approaches upon prostitutes' lives. It is argued that the law plays a critical role in determining the physical vulnerability of prostitute women. Within Victoria, for example, the politicisation of prostitution and the resulting legislative reform have effectively reduced the visibility of prostitution and altered the social control of the industry. Women working outside the new legal structures are particularly at risk of abuse and are accorded harsher penalties under the law.

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