EMBARGO: Immediate Release
Enquiries: Debbie Toughey*
Date: 25 April 2007
Mobile: +27 76 600 6986

Doctors for Life (DFL) International applauds Canada for their life-rewarding decision not to decriminalise prostitution. DFL supports the view of the Canadian government that prostitution is “degrading and dehumanising” and that it is “often committed and controlled by coercive individuals against those who are frequently powerless to protect themselves from abuse and exploitation.”

The Canadian government stated that it would lead to the exploitation of women and it is, therefore, off the table for the current government. “This government condemns any conduct that results in exploitation or abuse and, accordingly, does not support any reforms, such as decriminalisation, that would facilitate such exploitation,” Justice Minister Rob Nicholson wrote the House of Commons justice committee. “For these reasons, this government continues to address prostitution by focusing on reducing its prevalence.”

This decision comes at the very time when there is an effort from some pressure groups to force the South African government to review it’s laws despite a Constitutional Court ruling in 2003 that criminalised the act of prostitution. Following the appalling comment by the National Police Commissioner, Jackie Selebi, to legalise prostitution for the duration of the upcoming 2010 Soccer World Cup, the question is raised whether South Africa can afford such a step. A major increase in human trafficking, drug trafficking and organised crime could result in economical, moral and social disaster for South Africa following the SWC.

While certain interest parties try to dignify the trade by supporting the legalisation of prostitution, a blind eye is being turned to the trauma, wickedness and demoralisation that are a daily reality for prostitutes, together with the fear and terror experienced by those who are victims of trafficking. These facts are totally disregarded by those driving the “moral degeneration” of South Africa and this while women and children will be exploited, sexually abused, devalued and dehumanised, turning South Africa into a tourist attraction… providing a doubtful source of government revenue.

Research from “Prostitution in Five Countries: Violence and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder” by Melissa Farley, has shown that improving the circumstances under which the prostitute works does not reduce the harm being done. In South Africa, the cry for help in this regard was echoed in a recent survey carried out among 475 sex workers. When asked, “What do you need?” 89% replied, “To leave prostitution”. 75% of the responders wanted job training that would enable them to get out of the trade.

South Africa faces a pandemic of AIDS, “boasting” the second highest infection rates in the world. As it is the vision of DFL to protect and enhance “life” in its broader context, we have been intensively involved in formulating strategies that would prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. Prostitution is one of the major contributing factors to the spread of HIV/AIDS and therefore one of DFL’s biggest concerns. The likelihood of contracting HIV/AIDS or any other Sexually Transmitted Infection is proportional to the number of sexual partners a person has. The overall HIV prevalence amongst people in prostitution in South Africa has been reported to be as high as 56%, almost twice as high as the general population. Will we be able to put the rest of the world at risk, with a clear conscience?

DFL calls on the SA government to take immediate action to prevent the sexual exploitation of women and children during the 2010 Soccer World Cup to take precautionary measures to curb the further spread of HIV/AIDS and to find other suitable ways to attract revenue.

*Debbie Toughey has personally been involved in prostitution and has firsthand experience with regards to human trafficking. DFL is a non-profit organisation of more than 1300 doctors and professors and continually provide assistance, support and counselling to women and children wishing to escape prostitution.

For more information, go to: www.doctorsforlifeinternational.com