Victim or Perpetrator?

Last updated on: September 17, 2012 at 12:20 pm by Lia Scholl

Victim or Perpetrator? 2012-09-17T12:20:57-06:00 Lia Scholl

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Go to google right now. Search for “prostitution arrest” and select “images.” Or even better yet, don’t do that. Take my word for it. That google search will give you page after page of mug shots of women and men who have been arrested on solicitation charges.

If sex workers are victims, as the anti-trafficking movement would tell you, then wouldn’t putting their picture on the Internet be much like posting the pictures of sexual assault survivors? Or naming rape survivors in newspapers?

You can’t have it both ways. And the anti-trafficking movement conflates sex work with slavery.

Either people who trade sex for something they need are perpetrators or they are victims. Which is it? Make up your mind.

And while you’re at it, make sure that the way you treat them is aligned with whether you consider them perpetrators or victims.

If they are victims, then don’t:

Put their picture in the newspaper
Make them walk a “Perp” walk
Make their work less safe
Arrest them

If they are perpetrators, then don’t:

Call them victims
Accuse them of something they’re not doing
Ignore rehabilitation efforts

And then, one other thing. Let’s stop using “titillating” images of sex workers and arrests. Every news alert regarding sex work does not need to be a sexy photo.

Previous Post

September 14, 2012

Trafficking: Misunderstood Scourge

Next Post

September 24, 2012 Contempt or Critique

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Agency Being Human Church Community Exegesis God Harm Reduction I Heart Sex Workers Love Poverty Relationships Sermon Sex Work Uncategorized Vocation Women Writing

Select a Month June 2013 May 2013 December 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does "Apocalypse" mean in Greek?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Victory Destruction Revelation Judgment