The effects of prostituition
...ion (Stone 121). The problem is much bigger than that though. The number of arrest is not a good way to measure how big the problem is because a lot of times participants of prostitution are not arrested. Another difficulty in making an accurate count of prostitutes is that people have found many different ways to sell sexual services for money. Forms of prostitution are now disguised as legitimate businesses and some criminals run secret houses called brothels, which is a house where prostitutes work. These forms of prostitution are hidden from the police, so no reliable statistics can be gathered on how many people are involved. Runaways from home make up a huge majority of the women that work the street also. Each year in the U.S. it is estimated between 1.2 million and 2 million teenagers hit the streets (Thompson 13). Half of them turn to prostitution to survive. Runaways often become victims of further abuse and exploitation once they are living on the street. Rape and assault are constant dangers. The difficulties of street life also mean that they are exposing their bodies to major health issues as well. Since they are having sex on an everyday basis, they are in danger of getting sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV, which leads to AIDS. Many prostitutes also abuse drugs and alcohol. They abuse these items because it makes their life easier to bear, but they quickly become addicted which is also a major physical and mental health issue. They have no legal means of getting money for food and shelter so they become trapped in this lifestyle. Many of the women on the streets have suffered significant abuse and just need someone to make them feel loved. So they hook with a man that is known as a pimp, or the person who finds customers for them. Pimps also reel the young women into the street life and then live off of the money that the women make. Pimps recognize that the women have come from a background of abuse and neglect, so they act like they care about the women and show them affection. In exchange for some attention and a sense of belonging, they are willing to accept the treatment they receive from the pimp. Pimps are known to rape and beat the prostitutes so that they will always be loyal to them and continue to sell themselves on the streets to support them. Instead of love, the lives of prostitutes are filled with even more abuse and exploitation before the event that sent them to the streets. As the abuse continues, hope for something better gradually fades away. Women who are exploited lose many of the opportunities that they need to become healthy, self-confident adults. They have no self-respect and their self-esteem is very low. These women have entered into prostitution for a number of reasons. Prostitutes have many emotional problems that have caused them to turn to the street such as: being molested or raped by family members or friends, physical violence, rejection, hostility, and emotional abuse. Many prostitutes come from homes where there was little parental supervision (Thompson 22). In today’s society there are several different programs that can help make a difference in their lives. Social workers are realizing the best way to curb prostitution is to help the abused woman before they run away from home and become committed to life on the street. They are working to identify troubled families and provide support. Helping parents can prevent them from neglecting and abusing their children, which is the family background reported by almost all prostitutes. Prostitution can also be prevented if parents recognize changes in their child’s attitude and communicate with them often. Parents need to set boundaries according to their child’s age and needs. If the child is given lots of support and feels valued at home, they will also be less likely to turn to the streets. Today there is several state and federally funded programs that aid in the fight against prostitution, which can help, keep a lot of women off of the streets. In 1974 the federal government established the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) as part of the Department of Justice. This agency provides national leadership to prevent child victimization and provides treatment programs for juvenile offenders such as prostitutes. The Office for ...