Desperate times

Published on 12/11/2012 00:57

I RECENTLY found myself in the highly unusual position of agreeing with Richard Lucas.

In his letter (9 November), on the subject of saunas, he wrote: “Prostitution is illegal because it is ultimately damaging to all parties involved (despite their consent), and their families (who do not consent), and to the relational ethos of wider society.”

A lot of people never tire of saying that prostitution, which has always been with us, will 
always be with us. But that doesn’t make it all right.

Instead of arguing over 
whether or not to legalise it, we should be addressing the issue of why people – suppliers and users – are drawn to it. You can argue that many women enter the industry of their own accord but they are usually vulnerable and desperate by this point.

There is one useful rule of thumb if men are confused by the morality of their actions: would they feel comfortable if their daughter was taking part in such a practice?

ANGELA INNES

Dundas Street

Edinburgh