According to the sexual workers, the bill (if passed into law) will infringe on
their right to work for a living. Although prostitution is legal in Peru, the
vast majority of prostitutes who advertise in newspapers are not licensed to
practice the oldest profession in the world.
Additionally, they claim the proposed law will increase sexual exploitation in
the country by increasing the mafias who run clandestine operations since most
prostitutes who use this media operate independently.
"Prohibiting the advertisement of sexual services in print media will only
increase criminal mafias who sexually exploit women they trap into their
rings," read a press note released by the association.
According to the association, these types of measures have been proven to
increase the dangers of prostitution by putting prostitutes in vulnerable
positions.
Instead, the association asked congress to reject the bill and to focus on
other issues such as preventing, sanctioning, and eradicating sexual
exploitation.
The bill, which has already passed a preliminary round of voting, will be put to a second vote, and if successful, will become law.
