5 Myths of Prostitution

Click on each myth to reveal more information about it.

Myth 1: Prostitution is a victimless crime.

Prostitution is NEVER a victimless crime. In fact, prostitution facilitates a criminal environment that becomes a commercial enterprise. Anytime a customer uses a juvenile prostitute for the purpose of his or her own sexual gratification, he or she is committing the crime of child sexual abuse. When a pimp coerces a prostitute to submit to sexual demands as a stipulation of employment, it is exploitation, sexual harassment, and rape. [1]

Myth 2: Juveniles make educated decisions to enter prostitution

Pimps coerce and exploit young victims by methodically manipulating, deceiving, abusing, and desensitizing. For many young girls low self esteem, neglect, and limited resources cause them to believe their only option is prostitution. [2] Runaways unable to find shelter or food become easy prey for pimps. Pimps promise friendship, romance, and riches only to exploit and abuse. [1]

Myth 3: Prostitution is a glamorous and exciting lifestyle

Movies, TV, music, print material and pornography often communicate misperceptions about prostitution. In reality juvenile prostitutes suffer pain, humiliation, and degradation at the hands of their pimps and customers. Often these young victims are inflicted with sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies. [1]

Myth 4: Prostitutes are drug addicts working to feed their habit

Due to the view of drugs affecting performance, making girls difficult to control, and cutting into profit pimps rarely allow drug use among their young victims. Prostitutes are often severely beaten if caught taking drugs. [2]

Myth 5: Prostituted individuals are from specific socio-economic groups

Teenage prostitutes come from all socio-economic groups. While other common denominators, such as child abuse exist, there is no causative relationship with socio-economic status. Malls and online social networking websites are favorite recruitment locations. [1]

 

[1] National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. (2002). Female juvenile prostitution: (Problem and response No. Second Edition) Retrieved from http://www.ncmec.org

[2] Phoenix PD VICE Unit

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