Prostitution in Georgia

Prostitution has been around for centuries, and it remains one of the oldest professions of all times. People’s views on prostitution have been divided, much as the current debate on medical marijuana. Since the United States Victorian era (1840-1900), attitudes towards prostitution have evolved. Where prostitutes initially received empathy and understanding in the beginning of the era, the social elite bitterly rejected them in the end, where still many of the negative thoughts and attitudes towards prostitution are echoed today. If you have been charged with a sex crime involving prostitution, contact an Atlanta prostitution defense attorney.

A renowned researcher by the name of Dr. William Sanger conducted an investigation into the lives of prostitutes where he revealed why the average prostitute turned towards the profession. He found that the vast majority of prostitutes were young women, in their teens to early twenties, who were typically illiterate, poor and from broken homes. The three common factors that drove women to prostitution were poverty, social disgrace and little to no education. These poor, uneducated women turned towards prostitution because there were little other options available to them.

When Dr. Sanger interviewed the prostitutes, he asked them why they chose prostitution. Some of them said they were kicked out of their homes or abandoned by their parents, and had no other means of survival, where others were forced into prostitution so they could support their dependent families.

The industrialization period increased the demand for prostitution, because the newfound wealth of the business class, allowed more men to pay women, to sleep with them. A popular book for aristocrats was even published called the “gentleman’s guide” which listed the names and addresses of “choice” brothels and even some favorite prostitutes.

During the Victorian era, Christian women sought to abolish prostitution, yet didn’t offer an alternative solution for the prostitutes themselves. On the other hand, the men, police and physicians who supported the legalization of prostitution and who were not concerned with the moral issues, were more interested in controlling the spread of venereal disease, sanitation, and crime related to prostitution.

Atlanta Prostitution Defense Lawyer

Today, prostitution is illegal in 49 states including Georgia. If you have been arrested for a sex crime, contact an Atlanta prostitution defense attorney from the Law Office of Matthew T. McNally today.