3 August 2001
Prostitution Legislation - Sound Scientific Evidence Disregarded.
Doctors for Life (DFL) would like to express in the strongest possible terms their dismay that sound scientific evidence against the legalisation/decriminalisation of prostitution has been disregarded by the Pretoria High Court in their ruling on 2 August.
DFL has done considerable research into prostitution, and the health and
social effects of various levels of its decriminalisation or legalisation.
They have found that legal recognition/decriminalisation of prostitution
does not solve the problems caused by prostitution, but rather exacerbates
them. These problems include an increase in the number of prostitutes as a direct result of normalising it as a profession, with many prostitutes not working within the legal guidelines. There is a resultant increase in sexually transmitted diseases including AIDS, family breakdown and psychological trauma in those involved with prostitution.
Violence suffered by prostitutes has not been shown to be decreased by any
laws regarding prostitution. In fact, assault and rape of prostitutes is
a well documented. As well as the increase in AIDS already mentioned, prostitution is strongly associated with illicit drug use and dealing.
DFL urges the authorities to re-examine the evidence and reverse their decision
before they have to admit, as Sweden and Thailand already have, that they
have made a serious mistake in decriminalising prostitution. Both Sweden
and Thailand, have tried legal recognition of prostitution. As a result
of the problems caused, they have reversed their decision. 
DFL is an organisation of about 800 doctors, specialists and professors
of medicine from different medical faculties across South Africa and stands
for sound science in the medical profession. For more information contact:
Dr. Anne Hyams at: +27 (0)31 7640443
mail@dfl.org.za
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