This leading formulation offers a choice between two modes of criminalisation rather than asking about all possible legal models, and situates the criminalisation of sex workers and their clients as separable when in reality they are not. Here is an indicative but not exhaustive list: if you want to find out more about this issue, do follow up some of the references.
There is some evidence of a reduction in street prostitution but no reliable evidence to confirm that this has not been displaced into indoor markets — in fact there is evidence that this has indeed occurred see Chu and Glass However, this conceals the economic conditions which lead many people to sell sex in order to survive.
Attempts to eradicate the sex industry via the criminal law will only create risk and harm for sex workers, without any reduction in the sale of sex, if the context of poverty and austerity economics remains unaddressed.
In a context of high unemployment, benefit cuts and sanctions, depressed wages and increased homelessness and debt, it is irresponsible to consider any model of sex industry regulation which would make it more difficult for marginalised people to survive. Abel et al The impact of the Prostitution Reform Act on the health and safety practices of sex workers: report to the Prostitution Law Review Committee.
New York: Open Society Foundation. Norwegian Ministry of Justice and Public Security Evaluation of Norwegian legislation criminalising the buying of sexual services English summary. Stockholm: Swedish Institute. World Health Organisation Prevention and treatment of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections for sex workers in low- and middle-income countries: Recommendations for a public health approach.
