Still At Issue:
Decriminalizing Prostitution for Teens

Radio Commentary, WMVV 90.7 New Life FM, August 27, 2010
By Sue Ella Deadwyler

Good morning, Jim. During the past legislative session, we won the first round against juvenile prostitution, but we’ve been promised Round Two for next year. The sponsor of S.B. 304 got similar wording in a bill that passed last session, making it easier for her language to be put into the Code Section that would remove all penalties for minors who work in the sex trade.

When you add to that H.R. 5575 Congress introduced to remove federal penalties for juvenile prostitution, you’ll understand the enormity of the battle. This is their rationale: since minors under 18 cannot legally consent to commercial sexual exploitation, they must be classified as “victims,” regardless of their willingness to work in the sex trade or whether they deliberately chose such a dangerous occupation. Victim compensation money is “the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow” in this attack on hundreds of years of natural law.

But, why do they want moral law overturned? If minors under 18 are charged with prostitution, they have a criminal record and are not eligible for victim compensation. So, in order for them to tap into victim compensation money, the law must be changed to classify prostitutes under 18 as sex slaves, including those that choose to work the streets. Result: willing participants in prostitution or the porn industry would make money twice – once on the street or in porn and again as candidates for victim compensation funds.

H.R. 5575 introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives asks Congress to require the U.S. Attorney General to change the National Crime database to automatically list minors as endangered juveniles, if they run away three times in a year. Then, H.R. 5575 would have states treat them as sex trafficking victims, whether they are willing participants or were forced into it, and would have states presume minors are victims, so they can avoid criminal charges. That would make them eligible for victim compensation.

But there’s more. H.R. 5575 also directs states to change their laws and regulations, accordingly. So far, this federal bill has not passed, but if it does, states will be expected to pass STRICTER PENALTIES FOR BUYING sexual favors, BUT NOT FOR SELLING sexual favors. This master plan for disaster was endorsed last session by legislators that want to decriminalize juvenile prostitution in Georgia. With that in mind, ask candidates for the house and senate how they would vote, if this comes up next session. Then, cast your vote for candidates who promise to uphold Georgia’s moral laws that often keep juvenile prostitutes off the street. For Georgia Insight I’m Sue Ella Deadwyler, your Capitol correspondent.