In a recent New York Times opinion piece, columnist Nicholas Kristof shared the story of Melanie Thompson, a survivor of child sex trafficking, to highlight the potential dangers of legalizing prostitution. Thompson argues that such a move would exacerbate the exploitation of vulnerable individuals, particularly those from marginalized communities.
Kristof recounted Thompson's challenging experiences and her advocacy against what she perceives as a misguided liberal push for full decriminalization of the sex trade, including pimping and brothels. Thompson, now 27, contends that this approach would lead to increased trafficking, especially among Black and brown individuals, those with experience in foster care, LGBTQ+ youth, and other marginalized groups. This claim is supported by a large-scale global study indicating a correlation between legalization and higher rates of trafficking.
Thompson shared her personal trauma, describing the feeling of being "damaged goods" and internalizing societal shame. She also challenged the notion, often presented in academic settings, that sex work can be empowering. Kristof noted that Thompson frequently found herself disagreeing with affluent students and professors who viewed sex work among consenting adults as empowering, a perspective that clashed with her own lived experience.
Kristof emphasized Thompson's argument that exploitation is the norm, not the exception, in the sex trade, and that the lines between consent and coercion are often blurred. He also questioned the rationale behind legalizing pimping, contrasting it with liberal stances on worker protections, such as minimum wage laws and safety regulations for high-risk jobs.
Thompson recounted her own experience of never having control over the money earned, highlighting the coercive nature of the sex trade. Kristof concluded that the push for full decriminalization, while potentially well-intentioned, could ultimately benefit pimps while harming vulnerable individuals like Thompson. He warned that such a move could expose countless others to similar exploitation and abuse.
