Prostitution is a “de facto legal” and normalized activity on the Internet.

Valencia, November 22 (EFE).- Machista with a patriarchal attitude and frequent consumption of pornography are some of the characteristics of those who apply for prostitution, an activity that has undergone a profound digital transformation in the last decade and may be in Spain. It was considered “truly legal” to normalize its presence on the Internet.

This is a discussion with EFE by Antonio Ariño, professor of Sociology at the University of Valencia, who in his book “Prostitution in the Valencian Community” (Tirant Lo Blanch) proposes a sociological look at this phenomenon and proposes a sociological look at this phenomenon. appeared in the interview. “a very long-standing historical institution” and is heavily sponsored by trafficked women.

While the publication makes no specific reference to the recent yes-only law that outlawed prostitution-encouraging ads, Ariño notes that they are examining its impact on the decline or disappearance of some services offered by the different platforms. via the internet.

According to him, prostitution in Spain can be classified as a “pseudo” practice, but on the Internet where there is “blocking of language” and “progress in the reification of bodies without the slightest self-control and self-control”. becomes a “normal and tolerated” phenomenon that turns into a “practical legalization”.

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

In the last decade, according to Ariño, prostitution has undergone a profound transformation due to the generalization of smartphones and the ubiquity of internet access, with new forms of organization around platforms that make it more mobile and dispersed, but above all “more invisible and more normalized”.

“The Internet has increased exponentially,” says the sociology professor, explaining that this migration has seen a significant reduction in street prostitution, greater scattering within the city, and the shift to apartments and great mobility. of women.

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Digital platforms make it possible to develop digital marketing extensively and, in addition, generate new experiences such as broadcasting live shows on the Internet (“webcam”) or creating forums for applicants.

Analysis of websites and platforms allowed Ariño to map advertisements, apartments, clubs, and agencies in Spain, as well as the services they offer, and confirm “the commoditative, macho, and offensive character that in many cases approaches prostitution.” pornography”.

He pointed out that during the pandemic, there was a “variety of strategies” to circumvent controls and that although clubs had to be closed or “opened intermittently”, the practice of prostitution in apartments could not be controlled and “it”. remained in physical contact and unprotected against the coronavirus.

those who allege prostitution

The exact number of prostitutes is not known, but various studies suggest that between 4% and 10% of men may be between the ages of 20 and 55.

The majority are men who live alone and are separated or divorced; they have a “discriminatory and macho” vision of women; and frequently consumes pornography.

Another data included in the research, which Ariño stated that he wanted to deepen due to the small sample size, is ideological orientation; When it comes to politics, the majority of litigants are from the far left, while in religious litigation the highest claim values ​​appear among non-practicing believers.

SUBJECTED AND EXPLORED WOMEN

Although exact figures for women engaged in prostitution are also not available, it is estimated that in the Community of Valencia there may be between 10,000 and 13,000, mostly between the ages of 25 and 34, clearly lower than the plaintiffs’ and a significant number of victims. It deals with countries like Nigeria, Romania or Colombia.

Ariño emphasizes that since the war in Ukraine began, they have observed “a certain increase” through the Internet in women in prostitution from that country, because he confirms that “states of extreme need are used by unscrupulous people.”

Women who engage in prostitution are in secondary and inferior positions, have a poor and vulnerable background, and are often driven by economic need for subsistence when not trafficked. “It ranges from phenomena of a lower social level to luxury prostitution,” she adds.

WHORE POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

For Ariño, “there are no magic formulas.” Calling for both legal reform and police action, this professor says, “There is nothing for almost all social phenomena, and even less for an extraordinarily complex situation like this.”

Congress is passing a PSOE bill to abolish prostitution that punishes all forms of pimping and consumer fines.

In the Community of Valencia, in addition to the municipal ordinances already sanctioning, the Generalitat has proposed a number of regulatory changes and is working to implement the measures to punish the demand for prostitution along these lines and all those who exploit it. female victims.

“If anyone thinks an anti-slavery law has solved it all of a sudden, go to France and see that an anti-slavery law was implemented in 2016 and wasn’t repealed. If anyone thinks it was solved by legalizing it, go to Germany or Amsterdam.” and you will see that it is not,” says Ariño.

“What alternative will be offered to these women who come from smuggling, do not have documents and are forced to go into debt?” she wonders.

“We have to rescue and rescue them from these mobsters, provide shelter and introduce them to a training process so they can find a job that they see fit and that allows them to lead an independent life.”

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(c) EFE Agency