34: The Impacts of Decriminalising Sex Work

In this episode, Pascale hosts Eric Neumayer and Madeleine Rees to discuss the possible legalisation of sex work in the UK and the impacts it would have.Eric Neumayer is an economist by training, he is the author, co-author or co-editor of numerous articles and publications on economics, sustainability and social issues, including a research paper on whether legalised prostitution increases human trafficking.Madeleine Rees is a British human rights lawyer who has brought cases to the European Court of Human Rights and the European Court in Luxembourg. Madeleine served as Head of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2014 Birthday Honours for services to human rights.To explore this topic of decriminalising sex work, first the economic implications are considered and then the legal and social implications that decriminalisation, legalisation and criminalisation have on the industry. Part 1 will focus on the economics and how the market for sex work overlaps with the market for human trafficking, and thus how changing legalisation and demand affects both industries. Part 2 looks at the legal implications of decriminalisation, the social message it sends, the actual consequences of stricter or more relaxed laws, and the ethics behind sex work.