The Tragic Ipswich Serial Murders: Do you think attitudes to prostitution have changed?

Question

The media and the Police seem to be handling the occupation of the victims without stereotyped, negative judgements about them as individuals. This is a change from how Peter Sutcliffe's victims were viewed in the 70's - do you think that society has become more accepting of prostitution, or at least the reasons behind it?

Answer 1

I think society is more accepting of prostitution, but I don't link it to a moral decline. I think people in general are less judgemental and more accepting of differences in a variety of areas, whether it's race, sexuality, disability, whatever. Their has always been prostitution and to some extent there always wil be, so if you understand that you learn to live with it.
I think whast this case has shown, is that these are all young woman, most of them seemed to be living 'normal lives' with families, they became drug addicts, and selling their bodies is how they make enough money. And that put them at risk, and unfortunately they were killed by a psychopath. The fact that they are prostitutes is really secondary to the fact that they are drug addicts.
I think society used to perceive prostitutes as taking things away from families, as loose women who wanted to sidetrack honest men. In fact, that's neever been the case.
From a media perspective, the Police need to present these women as victims etc in order to try and get as much public help as possible, so you could argue they're doing that for their own ends. But, I think because the Police work with these girls, they have a better picture than most of us of the tragic nature of their lives.

Answer 2

I rather think that there are some who are extremely concerned about prostitution, and the guy carrying out these murders is one of them! Perhaps his mind was conditioned by social attitudes which are quite negative to the business of prostitution, but I think that there are far more people who are really not concerned about this issue if only they are not bothered by it, such as having to walk past many practitioners offering their services, or being approached by would be customers.

I hope that this more tolerant attitude is going to take off, but even so, the police have been targetting the girls, and driving them undercover, or at least into dark corners where they may be assaulted, or worse.

Then there are the "sting" girls: policewomen who dress in the manner of prostitutes, and wait for an approach by an unsuspecting man who is then immediately arrested.

Then there are the surveillance cameras which oick out the numbers of cars that appear to be "kerb rawling" so that drives the girls and their potential clients into the dark places, again.

All in all: the authorities seem to make it both tough and dangerous for this industry and the people who practice it. Needs a bit of reconsideration, so that everyone can be protected by the law, regardless of their calling.

Answer 3

Yeah, I think we are becoming more tolerant. In all honesty if the women want to do that as a profession, and aren't forced into it, and if the men are single and they have safe sex, I don't really see an issue with it. But the only way to make this possible is by legalising it, and I just can't see that happening.

I think the reasons why it's more acceptable is due to the general decline in the UK at the moment. Without causing any offence, drugs are more prevalent, weapons are more prevalent, there is higher numbers of illegal immigration and younger people have no respect these days. Prostitution has been round forever and I think people have got worse things to scorn these days.

Answer 4

I think that the attitude towards prostitution has changed much in the same way as attitudes have changed to drug abuse. This change I would not condemn as 'lowering of morals' or negative in any way...I regard it as enlightened, as there seems to be an emphasis on the positive. Prostitutes, male or female, are part of the entertainment industry. They trade sex for money and providing this is done in an environment with high standards of personal hygeine, I cannot see the harm in it. Once all aspects of the exercise are legalised and the taboo is removed, the whole thing of sex for cash can be made safe for workers and customers alike, as security and medical considerations can be of primary concern. Earnings can also be taxed.

Answer 5

Yes I believe we as a society have become much more tolerant of prostitution. I am of the firm belief of live and let live. As long as they are practicing safe sex what is the real harm. Prostitutes provide a service. It's the norm in Amsterdam.

I believe that the men and women who visit prostitutes have a need to do so. They are not causing hurt to anyone so get on with it. As said before it's the oldest profession in the world.

Answer 6

I have been reading many different articles on the Ipswich murders, and was pleasantly surprised how the police are handling it. In one article, it mentioned that the police were "body-guarding" the prostitutes in the red light district and have also issued safe places for them to stay.

If prostitution is done with consent from both parties and is done in a safe manner (protection), I don't see a problem with it.

Answer 7

I believe police and public attitudes have changed for the better. The "body-guarding" by police is a good point because these women are prostituting themselves to support their own or their partner's drug habit and discouraging robbery or burglary in the local community.
As long as "johns" are willing to pay prostitutes, their own families and businesses are in less danger of losing their property or being physically threatened.

Answer 8

some prostitutes will take note of the trdgedy that has unfolded in suffolk but others will still be out there trying to feed theyre heroin addiction....not all prostitutes go out on the street for the same reasons but a majority are on drugs...not just suffolk but all over the country & the world !!
it is a tradgedy what has happened and lets hope the police get this lunatic before he or she kills more

Answer 9

Regardless of what these people do for a living they are real people, with thoughts feelings and emotions, they have rights to. Society often forces people into these dangerous roles, and ironically a lot of these people that pass judgment actually help contribute directly to there situation. Whether or not we accept prostituition is irrelevant, the fact remains that these women did not deserve to die or be treated this way no human has the right to take anothers life, hurt another or make them feel uncomfortable in any way shape or form.

Answer 10

Yes as I think that the way these women have conducted their lives should have no influence on the way the case is dealt with - its a tragedy and a great loss to the families of these girls- they were young girls whom had their lives taken away from them by a maniac and its disgusting if anyone things that this condones or lessens the impact of these murders!!!!

No one has the right to take anyones lives and the quicker this b****d is caught the better- god rest their souls!