prostitution

Prostitution is the exchange of sexual services for money or goods. It is practiced in diverse settings, including street prostitution, brothels, escort services, and online platforms. The term "sex work" is sometimes used by labor-rights groups to emphasize voluntary and non-coercive participation.

Legal status varies widely. Some countries criminalize many aspects of prostitution (buying or selling sex, or operating a brothel). Others have legalized and regulated prostitution, licensing workers and venues. New Zealand decriminalized prostitution in 2003, aiming to improve health and safety. The Netherlands regulates legal prostitution in licensed venues. Australia uses state-level laws with varying degrees of regulation. Sweden and other Nordic countries criminalize the purchase of sex but not the sale, aiming to deter demand. In the United States, prostitution is illegal in most jurisdictions; Nevada allows regulated prostitution in some rural counties. The legal framework shapes how sex workers access health services, report violence, and exercise labor rights.

Health and safety: Sex workers may face stigma, violence, and discrimination; access to confidential health services, STI testing and prevention, and occupational safety measures are key concerns. Advocates call for labor rights, decriminalization, and enforcement against trafficking, exploitation, and violence, while critics worry about normalization and trafficking risk. Research on policy outcomes is mixed; some evidence links decriminalization or regulation to improved health outcomes and reporting of violence, while others caution about potential unintended consequences.