Criminology & Criminal Justice: Psychological Impact of Prostitution

This essay delves into the complex psychological impact of prostitution, examining it through a criminology lens. It explores the influence of evolutionary psychology on human sexuality and the use of sex to fulfill psychological needs. The essay highlights the psychological distress, violence, and trauma experienced by sex workers, including the effects of psychological and physical abuse, and the potential for substance abuse. It also discusses the role of legal frameworks and societal attitudes towards prostitution, including arguments for and against its regulation or legalization. The analysis covers the impact of sexual violence, identity issues, and relational problems on sex workers, concluding with the need to consider the rights and safety of sex workers within the community. The essay provides a comprehensive overview of the psychological and social challenges associated with the sex industry, emphasizing the need for further research and appropriate interventions.

Criminology & Criminal Justice

Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................2
Main context...............................................................................................................................2
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................4
References..................................................................................................................................5
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Introduction
The criminal code of Canada does not criminalize consensual sexual activity between people
above 14 years of age unless that happens in a relationship of trust or dependency. If sexual
act takes place between persons who are above 14 years of age but below 18 years, in a
relation of trust or dependency such act will be considered as an offense notwithstanding their
consent. The maximum punishment is for a term of five years (Campagna, 2015). If the
accused is under 16 years of age and less than two years older than the complainant then the
consensual act will not amount to the offense if the other person is under 14 years of age but
above 12 years of age. Unmarried persons under 18 years of age cannot give consent to anal
intercourse. By rising the consenting age from 14 to 16 years the government has curtailed
the sexual freedom of young persons.
Main context
Psychological needs
All human beings have certain psychological needs. Non-fulfillment of psychological needs
brings sufferings. Psychological needs need to be fulfilled to remain mentally healthy and
stable. To meet our Psychological needs sex is used as a strategy and sex is not a need in
itself. It has been argued that non-fulfillment of psychological needs may cause neuroses and
addiction. Smoking and alcoholism are not as harmful as social isolation (Chauhan, 2015).
Social isolation causes depression and stress among people. The concept that sex is used as a
strategy to meet Psychological needs may be weird for many but like eating and sleeping sex
is also a Psychological drive. Human beings have evolved to use sex to meet our
Psychological needs and not our physical need. Traditionally men and women have pursued
sex to fulfill different psychological needs. Psychological explanation of prostitution has
argued there are a number of social and psychological factors that cause women to go into
prostitution (Eisenman, 2019). The push factors such as poverty, unemployment, and other
environmental influences push a woman towards prostitution. Casual sexual relationships are
still considered detrimental to the psychological well being of youth. One night stand among
women's causes psychological distress and increases both alcohol and drug addiction. Casual
sexual relationships do not affect the psychological well being of the boys'. The
psychological results are mainly investigated among college students. Research had
suggested that sex workers face a high risk of diseases like HIV and AIDS.
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Psychological violence
In the area of human sexuality evolutionary psychology has been helpful. Violence unveils
male power manifested by psychological and physical violence. The world health
organization has defined psychological harm as caused by coercion, and sexual aggression.
The clients of women prostitutes do abuse them mentally, physically and psychologically.
The prostitute faces assault on psychological integrity. The psychological and social violence
leaves invisible marks on the victims. Evolutionary psychology had its contribution in six
areas (Kurbatova & Valova, 2015). They are sexual intercourse and masturbation, people
prefer sexual intercourse over masturbation. Culture looks down masturbation as something
disturbing and undesirable act engaged by disturbed people. Evolutionary
psychology answers the question that sexual intercourse can send our genes to future
generation while masturbation cannot. Sexual intercourse is a natural desire to continue
future generation. Aged males prefer younger females can be understood in terms of sexual
fantasy. The old man is of the belief that their genes may not be as good as younger males so
they prefer younger females as their partner so that healthy genes can be passed on to the
younger generation (Lee, 2011). A younger female can have excellent genetic potential as
compared to older females. Ovulation has a powerful impact on female sexual behavior.
During the ovulation period, women more commonly forget taking their birth control pills.
That is a natural instinct on part of the female to pass on the genes to the future generations.
That is an unconscious desire among females to get pregnant and pass on their genes to future
generations. Females are receptive of sexual intercourse throughout their menstrual cycle but
their sexual desire increases at the time of ovulation. It has been noticed that males are more
interested in sexual intercourse than females (Moreira & Monteiro, 2012). They are much
more permissive and liberal as compared to females when it comes to sex. Males are more
jealous of their partners when they get physically intimate with others but females are much
liberal in this aspect. Smell plays a great role in female attraction towards males. The males
having opposite MHC gene have a higher probability of getting attracted by females.
Psychological impact on prostitutes
The psychological harm faced by prostitute remains in ignorance on a large scale. Along with
psychological distress, prostitutes have many violent events. A large number of prostitutes
depend highly on drugs. Emotionally disturbed and vulnerable women are more likely to
enter prostitution. Prostitute suffers psychological distress because of the profession
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(Emmers-Sommer, 2017). Using alcohol among women in prostitution is due to the
psychological trauma associated with the profession. Prostitutes have symptoms of
depression associated with high risk of HIV. Prostitutes face anxiety, depression, hostility,
and psychoticism. There is a direct relationship between psychological stress and violence
associated with prostitution. Prostitutes who are a victim of violence experience
psychological stress. A large number of prostitutes face depression. Psychological alterations
in prostitutes have brought certain behavioral changes in them. Most of them face sleeping
disorder, irritation, and anxiety. Sexual violence in prostitutes causes post-traumatic stress.
The greater the intensity of violence sever is the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Along with psychological stress the prostitutes face identity problems and relational
problems. The relationship has been found between sexual trauma and experiencing adult
rape. The post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety disorder increases in the prostitutes those
who use narcotic substances.
Prostitution is considered to be the oldest profession in the world like any other. The
government authorities have tried to impose restrictions on sex trades in many nations. In the
internet age, prostitution is increasing and it is the time to face the reality that the sex workers
have also some rights within the community. If the government should treat the industry just
like other service industry in order to assist the sex workers to come out from the shadows
(Moreira, Rolo & Cardoso, 2018). On the other hand, arguments are there that prostitution is
considered to be morally wrong. In some cases, it has affected normal relationships such as
marriage and family members. The main objective of keeping prostitution illegal is to
safeguard the basic values of society. However, it is being stated that regulating and
legalizing prostitution can make the life of sex workers safer and assists to break the
trafficking gangs and pimps who exploit them. The sex business is carried out secretly which
supports the growth of traffickers. The police would be able to determine the criminals who
exploit sex workers. It is being seen that most women are being forced into prostitution by
economic or coercion need (Scoular, 2011). They are being purchased, abused and sold. The
removal of the legal barriers would send a message that women are just sexual commodities.
It is being found that the profession generates huge income and tax is deducted as per the
laws and legislation.
The sex industry can be taxed and generated revenues can provide huge benefits to society. It
is being argued that making the prostitution legal will not make a healthy, pleasant and risk-
free environment for the people in the society. It will encourage men to have multiple
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partners which would result in an increase in STD risks. Men and women have the right to
make their decision and the government can take a step to make legalize (Alvarez, 2015).
Apart from this, law and legislation need to be implemented for the protection of women who
are being forced to involve in the prostitution profession. Forced prostitution is considered to
be illegal that means the law should provide protection to men/women from being solicited
forcibly. Prostitutes should be provided with a safer environment and appropriate measures
need to be taken for controlling them who enter into this business. Sex workers need to be
protected from harmful clients potentially. Most prostitutes consume drugs in order to escape
from their jobs. The increase in the use of drugs among sex workers is considered to be a
major concern for the government. Apart from this, sex workers also suffer due to
psychological impacts (Sun, Zheng & Zheng, 2013). The rules should be implemented to
protect women from pimps and traffickers. The underground activities are considered to be
imposing a significant impact on the people within the community. However, the control of
the body is considered to be the most basic right for a human.
Conclusion
Evolutionary psychology has provided a new theory which has affected psychology and
another related field. The theory has helped bring focus on some neglected areas and was
powerful in the area of human sexuality. This theory is more satisfactory than any other
related theories. Most of the findings by evolutionary psychologists are unconscious in
nature. The legislation implemented by the government should be kept in mind that it is
beneficial for both prostitution and the community.
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References
Alvarez, C. (2015). Liberation Psychology and Prostitution of Women. Retrieved from
https://www.longdom.org/open-access/liberation-psychology-and-prostitution-of-women-
2167-0358-1000128.pdf
Campagna, N. (2015). Defining Sexual Acts. Journal Of The International Network For
Sexual Ethics & Politics, 2(2), 5-17. doi: 10.3224/insep.v2i2.19842
Chauhan, A. (2015). Co-relating the Sexual Behaviour and Abnormal Sexual Orientation
(Psychological Disorder) to Astrology. Journal Of Psychotherapy And Psychological
Disorders, 01(01), 65-115. doi: 10.4172/ijmhp.1000101
Eisenman, R. (2019). Evolutionary Psychology Insights Regarding Human Sexuality.
Retrieved from https://ejop.psychopen.eu/article/view/290/html
Emmers-Sommer, T. (2017). Reasons for Pornography Consumption: Associations with
Gender, Psychological and Physical Sexual Satisfaction, and Attitudinal
Impacts. Sexuality & Culture, 22(1), 48-62. doi: 10.1007/s12119-017-9452-8
Kurbatova, T., & Valova, Y. (2015). Psychological features and teenage sexual
behavior. Psychology And Law, 5(4), 150-160. doi: 10.17759/psylaw.2015050413
Lee, h. (2011). Gender Differences on Social-Psychological Characteristics of Adolescents
with Prostitution Experiences. The Korean Journal Of Woman Psychology, 16(4), 423-
444. doi: 10.18205/kpa.2011.16.4.001
Moreira, I., & Monteiro, l. (2012). The violence in everyday of prostitution of women:
invisibility and ambiguities. Retrieved from http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?
script=sci_arttext&pid=S0104-11692012000500018
Moreira, V., Rolo, A., & Cardoso, J. (2018). Violence in the Context of Prostitution:
Psychological Impact. Retrieved from
https://comum.rcaap.pt/bitstream/10400.26/19440/2/Artigo06_JCardoso_Eng.pdf
Scoular, J. (2011). Regulating Prostitution - Social Inclusion, Responsibilization, and the
Politics of Prostitution Reform. SSRN Electronic Journal, 11(112), 159-260. doi:
10.2139/ssrn.1868126
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Sun, Q., Zheng, L., & Zheng, Y. (2013). Sexual Objectification and Women’s Self-
objectification. Advances In Psychological Science, 21(10), 1794-1802. doi:
10.3724/sp.j.1042.2013.01794
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