International approaches to prostitution : : Law and policy in Europe and Asia / / ed. by Geetanjali Gangoli, Nicole Westmarland.

• Superior document: Title is part of eBook package: De Gruyter Bristol University Press Backlist eBook-Package 2013-1995
• MitwirkendeR: Abiala, Kristina,; Allwood, Gill,; Brody, Alyson,; Chen, Mei-Hua,; Gangoli, Geetanjali,; Saeed, Fouzia,; Svanström, Yvonne,; Westmarland, Nicole,
• HerausgeberIn: Gangoli, Geetanjali,; Westmarland, Nicole,
• Place / Publishing House: Bristol : : Policy Press, , [2006]; ©2006
• Year of Publication: 2006
• Language: English
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (224 p.)

What is to be done about prostitution? Is it work or is it violence? Are women involved in prostitution offenders or victims? Is prostitution a private or a political issue? The answers to these questions vary depending on many factors, including where in the world you live. This book provides a valuable, detailed international comparison of the laws, policies and interventions in eight countries across Europe (England and Wales, France, Sweden and Moldova) and Asia (India, Pakistan, Thailand and Taiwan). The countries were chosen because of their contrasting social policy and legislative frameworks. Specific topics covered include national social and historical contexts in relation to prostitution; legal frameworks - with discussion of existing laws and policies and debates around legislation and decriminalisation; key issues faced - particularly relating to reasons for entering prostitution and analysis of policies and interventions. The case studies are brought to life by giving voice to the experiences of women involved in prostitution themselves together with the personal reflections of the authors. Aimed at a wide audience of students, academics, policy makers and practitioners, this book makes an important contribution to academic and policy debates in the fields of criminology, law, social policy, women's studies, sociology, politics and international relations.

Table of Contents

Front Matter -- Contents -- List of tables and boxes -- Notes on contributors -- Introduction: approaches to prostitution -- Europe -- From the personal to the political: shifting perspectives on street prostitution in England and Wales -- Prostitution in France -- Prostitution in Sweden: debates and policies 1980-2004 -- The Republic of Moldova: prostitution and trafficking in women -- Asia -- Prostitution in India: laws, debates and responses -- Good women, bad women: prostitution in Pakistan -- Selling bodies/selling pleasure: the social organisation of sex work in Taiwan -- Prostitution in Thailand: perceptions and realities -- Index