Reader: Harsher punishment for johns would solve most prostitution problems

In a post yesterday, Melanie Asmar broke down a new study of prostitution in Denver, which documented harsher punishment toward women and a proclivity for treating men who patronize this service with much greater deference. One reader thinks the situation would improve of this dynamic was reversed...

By Michael Roberts

May 4, 2012

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In a post yesterday, Melanie Asmar broke down a new study of prostitution in Denver, which documented harsher punishment toward women and a proclivity for treating men who patronize this service with much greater deference. One reader thinks the situation would improve of this dynamic was reversed.

Rusty Shackleford writes:

This is why prosecutions need to focus exclusively on the so-called "johns" -- specifically filing Sexual Offender charges and requiring mandatory jail time and registration when convicted.

Do that, and most prostitution/human trafficking problems would dry up in very short order.

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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