The main speakers, at the first discussion organised by the Malta University Debating Union for this academic year, were the Hon. Julia Farrugia Portelli, Hon Claudette Buttigieg, Dr Anna Borg (Confederation of Women’s Organisations) and Mr John Charles Fenech (Psychology student). The topic chosen was ‘Prostitution’, primarily in view of the pending legislation on the matter.
During the debate, consensus focused on how best to ‘protect both males and females who are currently involved in this work’. But the way forward was not agreed to, and divergent opinions were put forward.
The Hon. Farrugia Portelli explained that not enough support is being provided. She spoke on decriminalisation and also on how prostitution and trafficking are linked. She insisted that this very complex issue should not be politicised. The Hon. Claudette Buttigieg strongly stated that she is against decriminalisation of prostitution.
Dr Anna Borg presented very strong views about why prostitution should not be encouraged through the regularisation of the pimp’s work. She insisted that the human body should not be given a price, and any regularisation wold play in the hands of those who are after big money. Borg referred to situations abroad: in Germany, she said, where everything is regularised, 82% of women are still harassed. ‘The power lies with those who have the money to pay’, and in these countries, regularisation has not reduced violence against women.
Mr Jonathan Charles Fenech supported decriminalisation and the regularisation of sex work, for the safety of men, women and the LGBT groups themselves. He emphasised that regularisation recognises women’s rights issue and extends gender equality. Fenech insisted that non regularisation goes counter to feminism. He also insisted that one should carefully distinguish between women who engage willingly in sex work and those who have to, because they have to survive! For Fenech, regularisation would bring about regular health checks and certified venues.
A lively discussion followed after the presentation of the panel members. The main concern of the audience was that Maltese society is becoming too liberal to be recognised for its standards. A number of professionals who have direct experience with prostitutes belied the statements that sex workers are free and gave examples of how often these are exploited for money.
Insistence on preventive action at home, in schools and in all those places were youth congregate.
There were also voices in favour of regularisation, with one person going to the extent of suggesting that prostitutes should be awarded a warrant. In the name of full freedom of the individual, some insisted that it is not society’s concern to put a negative label on prostitutes.
But the main trend of the discussion was that society needs systems to ensure its common good and to maintain public order. It was strongly emphasised that regularisation would simply mean that what pimps are currently doing will become acceptable, thus giving them ample scope for development and expansion. The push for regularisation, some insisted, is nothing else but an extension of the current trend in Maltese society to consider money and gain as most important in life, irrespective of the downgrading consequences on the poor and the feeble.
Obviously the discussion started by MUDU did not come to a final consensus view, and the discussion continued thereafter, and is bound to continue when the legislation is published. Through MUDU those who attended were exposed to the main arguments that are bound to be widely discussed when the promised legislation is known.
