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Prostitutes are people, too
Posted By katie allison granju
Sharon Cobb wants us to remember that women who earn a living as prostitutes are real people:
Deborah Jeane Palfrey, a loving daughter and sister, hanged herself last week.
I just wanted you to know her name. The “D.C. Madam” is how almost all of us know of her, and that’s to our shame. We are taught to dehumanize prostitutes so much that we don’t even use their real names. They’re just “things.”
How much more don’t we know about her? Was she protecting her clients, like David Vitter who did a public mea culpa and didn’t have to worry about jail time like Miss Palfrey did? Vitter goes on with his career and with his wife and children, while Deborah’s mother lost her daughter.
That hardly seems fair.
The men who patronize alleged escort services get away with a slap on the wrist, while the madams get caught and some end up cutting their wrists rather than spend years in prison, or, rat out their clients.
While I don’t support it, I think prostitution should be legalized for those over 18, put a sin tax on it and use that tax for health care or other good programs.
Women are the victims either way in prostitution, and I’d much rather see them NOT kill themselves while their clients walk.
Rest in peace Miss Palfrey.
May 6th, 2008
