Question

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Does it appear to you as appropriate to ban prostitution in Nevada, or is there a more effective alternative possible?

MOUND HOUSE, Nev. -- Nevada's legal brothels have a new adversary: the #MeToo movement.

A coalition of women's advocacy groups in Nevada has undertaken referendum initiatives against legal prostitution in Lyon and Nye counties, opposite corners of the state that are home to about half of the state's brothels.

Lyon County commissioners voted on June 7 to place a nonbinding question on the November ballot on whether to ban prostitution at legal brothels and agreed to abide by whatever the public decides.

With names like Love Ranch and Chicken Ranch, brothels have been legal or tolerated in much of Nevada for over a century and are as much a part of the Silver State's image of sin and debauchery as gaming and bachelor parties.

The referendum measures, if passed, would outlaw nine bordellos in the two rural counties located a short drive from Reno and Las Vegas, where prostitution is illegal. Observers say the measures would serve notice to the state's remaining 11 or so legal brothels that their days could be numbered, too.

A similar referendum on a ban failed at the polls in 2004 in Churchill County, but some industry supporters say the efforts this year have a chance to succeed.

Public sentiment appears to have turned against the brothels lately, these supporters say, in part because of the influx of newcomers from California and other states, and a growing desire to diversify the state economy beyond tourism. Another factor these people point to is increased concern over the treatment of women, brought to the fore by the #MeToo movement.

"The future of the industry is in definite jeopardy," said George Flint, former lobbyist for the Nevada Brothel Owners Association and a ban opponent. "I would not put any money on that industry surviving."

Nevada began legalizing prostitution on a county basis in 1971, the only state to have done so. Seven of the state's 16 counties have licensed bordellos; prostitution remains illegal in populous Clark County including Las Vegas, and Washoe County including Reno.

Women's activists said they began seeking the bans last year after hearing about ongoing assaults of prostitutes at the brothels. "These are all areas of sexual harassment and assault within the workplace, which is why this is a part of the #MeToo movement," said Melissa Holland, executive director of Awaken, a Reno women's nonprofit that teamed with other groups to push for the referendums.

The groups said they began with Lyon and Nye counties because residents there approached them for help in pursuing brothel bans.

Two former prostitutes, in interviews, told of drug use and assaults by customers at the legal brothels. "The girls deal with terrible treatment in there," said Rebekah Charleston, 36, who says she is a former prostitute who worked at Nevada brothels.

Several brothel operators, employees and industry supporters deny that workers are mistreated or that drug use is tolerated. The operators said they have been singled out unfairly. Prohibition would simply drive prostitution underground, they said, exposing workers to more dangers. Legal prostitutes must undergo regular medical exams, and condom use is required.

Brothel supporters say the businesses provide millions of dollars in economic stimulus to surrounding areas, while offering prostitutes a safe place where they can earn money.

Dennis Hof, owner of six of the nine bordellos that would be banned, estimates his brothels generate $10 million in local economic benefits.

On Tuesday, Mr. Hof won a Republican primary bid for the state legislature against an incumbent. He said his establishments were targeted because he is running for office, an assertion state GOP leaders and the women's groups deny.

Answer 1

According to my opinion, Brothels should should not be banned in the counties. And I will offer 2 reasons from an economic point of view:

1. There is a demand which is certainly mentioned in the article. That is why there are so many brothels. If these brothels are closed, what would happen

2. Economic benefits - Provides employment to majority of women. Irrespective of service area, this is a business which is beneficial from economic point of view.

However, certain measures can be implemented which insures safety of women & non participation of children( as victims):

1. Safety measures should be made compulsary at all brothels which includes:

a) Use of condoms

b) Ensuring that the client is not in state of drug use

c) Ensuring multiple checks to make sure that there are no girls employed

2. Increased education among the prostitutes so that they become more aware and have an additional career choice available to them.