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Argument: The legalization of prostitution will decrease instances of rape

Issue Report: Prostitution

Support

  • Kirby R. Cundiff, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Finance at Northeastern State University. “Prostitution and Sex Crimes”. Independent Institute. Apr. 8, 2004 – “It is estimated that if prostitution were legalized in the United States, the rape rate would decrease by roughly 25% for a decrease of approximately 25,000 rapes per year….
…[T]he analysis seems to support the hypothesis that the rape rate could be lowered if prostitution was more readily available. This would be accomplished in most countries by its legalization.”[1]
  • R.N. Barber’s. “Prostitution and Increasing Number of Convictions for Rape in Queensland”. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology. 1969 (vol. 2 issue 3) – “A study conducted in Queensland… show[ed] a 149% increase in the rate of rape when legal brothels were closed in 1959, while other offenses against the person by males increased only 49%.”[2]
  • Kirby R. Cundiff, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Finance at Northeastern State University. “Prostitution and Sex Crimes”. Apr. 8, 2004 – “It is estimated that if prostitution were legalized in the United States, the rape rate would decrease by roughly 25% for a decrease of approximately 25,000 rapes per year….”[3]