"Pandering and the Criminalization of Sex Work"

"Pandering and the Criminalization of Sex Work" examines how laws that criminalize sex work often frame prostitutes as victims needing rescue, rather than as adults making consensual choices. "Pandering" refers to efforts that promote or encourage sex work, sometimes for profit, which can be legally scrutinized. These criminal laws can lead to the arrest and harassment of sex workers, increasing their vulnerability to violence and exploitation. Critics argue that such policies undermine rights, hinder safety, and perpetuate stigma, instead of addressing issues like exploitation through supportive and decriminalized approaches that prioritize health and safety.