A couple of days ago, BON reported on police in Dongguan, southeast Guangdong province parading prostitutes in public. Later, the Ministry of Public Security banned these so called shame parades. But the campaign against prostitution that began May continues, and have even expanded nationwide. According to Chinese media, at least 26 cities have been subject to this crackdown, which has resulted in the closure of hundreds of entertainment venues.
Although it's known as the oldest profession, prostitution has become a point of moral and legal contention in even the most liberal societies.
China has deemed the trade illegal. But, nevertheless, since the reform and opening up 30 years ago, prostitution has become more prevalent, reaching high-end hotels, karaoke bars, and dark parks. It fulfills the desires of lonely migrant workers and the high-powered elites.
Taiwan and Hong Kong have made moves to legalize the trade, allowing sex workers to work out of their homes- one per aprtment building.
But on the Mainland, it remains an area of vice equivalent to crime, gambling and drug trafficking. In a crackdown at the end of last year, China's Ministry of Security found more than half of the 650 entertainment businesses it visited were providing prostitution or obscene performances.
Threatened with health risks and abuse, is the solution to legalize prostitution or try to eradicate it all together? Katie Fischer's guests debate the motion:
Now as Kelda mentioned in her report from reportedly not existing in the 1960s prostitution in China has grown to the point where evidence can be seen in most towns and cities across the country.
So just what do Chinese people think of this massive change in social culture? And does it affect them? Well we went out on the streets and asked them. Here’s what they had to say…
Earlier this month women suspected of prostitution in the city of Dongguan in Southern China were handcuffed by local police and forced to parade barefoot in the street. Around the same time - police in Hubei province posted private details of local prostitutes online.
This shaming of female sex workers provoked a public outcry. It even prompted China’s Ministry of Health to intervene order the country’s police to stop the use of humiliation against criminal suspects. This- despite recent government initiatives to seriously crack down on prostitution.
But behind all the hoopla lies broader issues. Kelda Yuen has more on who these women are and what brings so many of them to China’s big cities to lead a life as a sex worker.
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