A Destiny of a Lady of the Night

"You have to understand, for these women in poor countries, prostitution is their only way to earn money. At least they have a way to get some income."

I've heard that from so many people. I searched through the internet to see if I could find anything on the effects of prostitution. I came across this studies, Freedom and Justice Center by Ruth Parriott.

1- Injuries

Research conducted with 68 women in Minneapolis/St.Paul who had been prostituted for at least six months found that half the women had been physically assaulted by their purchasers, and a third of these experienced purchaser assaults at least several times a year. 23% of those assaulted were beaten severely enough to have suffered broken bones. Two experienced violence so vicious that they were beaten into a coma. Furthermore, 90% of the women in this study had experienced violence in their personal relationships resulting in miscarriage, stabbing, loss of consciousness, and head injuries.

2- Sexually Transmitted Diseases

General gynecological problems such as Chronic Pelvic Pain, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), HIV/AIDS, hlamydia, Gonorrhea, Herpes, Human Papilloma Virus and Syphilis.

15% of the women had never contracted one of the STD's, 31% of the women interviewed had experienced at least one episode of PID and among these women there was a high incidence of positive pap-smears, several times higher than the Department of Health's cervical cancer screening program for low or middle income women. More STD's episodes can increase the risk of cervical cancer.

3- Unwanted Pregnancy and Miscarriage

Over two-thirds of the women in the Minneapolis/St. Paul study had an average of three pregnancies during their time in prostitution, which they attempted to bring to term. Other health effects include irritable bowel syndrome, as well as partial and permanent disability.

4- Emotional

The emotional health consequences of prostitution include severe trauma, stress, depression, anxiety, self-medication through alcohol and drug abuse; and eating disorders. Almost all the women in the Minneapolis/ St. Paul study categorized themselves as chemically-addicted. Crack cocaine and alcohol were used most frequently. Ultimately, women in prostitution are also at special risk for self-mutilation, suicide and homicide. 46% of the women in the Minneapolis/St. Paul study had attempted suicide, and 19% had tried to harm themselves physically in other ways.

5- Suicide and Homicide

Women in prostitution are also at a greater risk for self mutilation, suicide and homicide. 46% of the women interviewed in the above study had attempted suicide and 19% had tried to harm themselves physically in other ways.

So, prostitution is the only option for these women and therefore we should let the violence continue?