For example, sex workers in many neo-abolitionist countries have found loopholes that have allowed prostitution to flourish despite seemingly strict laws – for example, prostitutes may offer a perfectly legal service, such as a dance session that results in a bonus off the clock. Similarly, local law enforcement agencies often take the opposite position on prostitution. Especially in tourist areas, local law enforcement agencies are often tolerant of prostitution, despite laws prohibiting it. Conversely, law enforcement officials can harass, crush or even mistreat sex workers in countries that have legalized prostitution. A spokeswoman for Istanbul`s provincial government, which is responsible for licensing brothels in Istanbul, said by phone that she was not aware of any policies to close brothels or obstruct legal prostitution. As a result of interventions against sex workers, we can constantly think: why is every act considered a crime by sex workers, is sex work a crime? The fact that we know that the regulation that there is no crime is not enough on its own, the well-established social perception of sex work can lead us to go back to the beginning again and again. If we look at the news about sex work, we can see that the photos of sex workers, who are defined as victims in the law, are displayed as if they were abusers. Sometimes their faces are censored, sometimes sex workers cover their faces in videos, we are shown photos of sex workers taking turns walking to the police car, and we can even see police footage pushing the sex worker`s head into the car. However, these people are “victims” under the law, and we have seen the victims put in a vehicle with their faces covered. In my opinion, if we think of the title “prostitution operation”, the picture that appears in our minds could be these images. The legislation governing sex work is the Public Health Act and the provisions on which it is based, the General Provisions Governing Women and Brothels, and the Ordinance on the Control of Sexually Transmitted Diseases through Prostitution. [3] As its name suggests, this regulation mainly aims to combat sexually transmitted diseases (contagious infections) in the form of a legal expression.
There are certain definitions in the law, such as the general definition of women, the general conditions of being a woman, brothels, the place of sexual intercourse, houses where prostitution takes place alone. These definitions show us that sex work, sex workers and the place of sex work are defined in legislation. For Ms. Kilic, that is precisely where the problem lies. If there was only an open debate about prostitution, the benefits of the system could be discussed, she said. “But the authorities dodge the question, preferring to discreetly close the brothels under the pretext,” she said. Prostitution is considered a significant problem by many religious groups and feminist activist organizations. Some feminists believe that prostitution harms and exploits women and reinforces stereotypical perceptions of women as sexual objects.
Other feminists believe that prostitution is a valid choice for women who want to get involved. In my opinion, it is necessary to recognize that what is considered a crime here is prostitution itself. Regardless of the definition of crime under the law, sex workers and prostitutes can be criminalized by being considered “sinners who violate society`s values and lead unacceptable lives.” Throughout history, this understanding of perpetration and punishment has persisted. According to this definition, prostitution without authorization in places defined by law is “hidden prostitution”. The law regulates the sealing of places where hidden prostitution is exposed. This means that the homes of sex workers who do sex work in their homes are sealed. Police recognition of the above-mentioned sex workers may result in the permanent closure of their homes. Investigations opened into prostitution: Turkey is considered one of the top 10 destination countries for foreigners due to its lenient visa policy. And due to its geographical location, many citizens of neighboring countries can travel to Turkey. [17] They can stay for thirty to ninety days, which brings economic benefits to the country. [17] According to the World Tourism Organization, Turkey ranked 7th as an international tourist destination in 2009. [17] However, Turkey`s passport law “prohibits individuals from entering the country solely for the purpose of prostitution” and it is illegal for unregistered workers and foreigners to engage in any type of sex work.
[17] “If there is a suspicion that a woman has acquired the art of prostitution because of her repetitive relationships with many men, and if it turns out that she possesses the general qualifications of women written in section 15, with the positive evidence obtained through a confidential and detailed investigation, the reasons that led that woman to prostitution are first examined by the Commission. Steps will be taken to ensure that she returns to an honorable life. In general, most transgender people in Turkey who work in the sex industry experience structural violence and are legally prohibited from legally selling sexual services. [22] Transgender sex workers are the most vulnerable and vulnerable to violence and harassment because they are forced to work outside legal institutions. [4] As a result, they tend to engage in street prostitution, and many struggle with homelessness and poverty. According to the 2011 report of the Human Resource Development Foundation, there are about 4,000 transgender sex workers in Istanbul and a total of 8,000 to 10,000 transgender women in all major cities in Turkey. [4] According to a 2021 NIH study, there are approximately 30,447 sex workers and 15,780 transgender sex workers in Istanbul, Turkey. [21] The Global Network of Sex Work Projects found that thirty-one transgender sex workers were killed in Turkey between 2008 and 2012. [23] According to another study, thirty-seven transgender murders occurred between 2009 and 2015. [5] Turkey is known to have the highest transgender homicide rates in all of Europe. However, trans women and sex workers are the most victims of physical and sexual violence from clients and police. [4] Although the law also entrusted the Anti-Prostitution Commission with the task of “returning the person to an honorable life,” the only decision that emerged from the commission was the decision to seal the house.
In addition, it is also problematic to impose on the Commission the mission of “return to an honourable life”.