THE EDITOR, Sir:IN THE December 17, 2004 edition of The Gleaner, Dr. Figueroa is reported to have suggested the decriminalisation of prostitution, supposedly to aid in the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The benefits of this, he argues, are as follows: education of sex workers about the deadly disease; access to health services; protection from rape and police harassment.
I respectfully assert that this suggestion is unfortunately simplistic, bordering
on the ridiculous. As far as I know, the current HIV/AIDS education thrust is not targeted at any specific group nor does it ignore particular groups, but is targeted at the society in general, of which the prostitutes and others are a part. Education does not coerce, choice, rather, it informs choice.
Therefore, if the education about HIV/AIDS is effective and pervasive, it follows that the prostitutes will be informed. I therefore cannot see the nexus between decriminalisation of prostitution and HIV/AIDS education.
As regards access to health services, when a prostitute seeks medical attention from any health facility she is not doing so in the capacity of a prostitute. Further, no law would be broken were a known prostitute to get treated at any health
facility and I do not imagine police posted at these facilities to ferret out prostitutes. How therefore does the decriminalisation of prostitution give prostitutes greater access to health services?
Further, it is erroneous to label the action of the police in carrying out their duties, harassment. If the police act outside of the scope of their authority, there is some recourse as for any other aggrieved citizen. The greatest barrier to the prostitutes is not the law but prejudice, born out of a hypocritical moral system. This cannot be eliminated nor attenuated by legislation, as it is deeply embedded in the psyche of the people. The issue of HIV/AIDS is not just about sex; it's a complex assortment of elements. We should therefore be careful we do not treat this pandemic by applying the band aide of generalisation or simplicity.
I am, etc.,
E. ELPEDIO ROBINSON
elpedioart@anngel.com.jm
12 Laurel Drive
Kingston 10
