Likewise for the customers, there's no reason their freedom should not include the right to purchase the companionship and affection they may want but do not find in other aspects of their lives.  

For example, one disabled man told researchers he was lonely and visited prostitutes because "I'm ugly, no women will go out with me. . . . It's because of my disability. So prostitutes are a sexual outlet for me." Another man reported that he did the same for a number of years due to being "anorexic and very reclusive. There was no chance of forming a relationship." A physically unattractive man added, "I pay for sex because that is the only way I can get sex." Another person said his experiences with prostitutes and other sex workers helped him overcome an extreme aversion to physical intimacy, which had resulted from years of physical and emotional abuse while growing up. He explained: "I very likely would have died a virgin if I hadn't somehow gotten comfortable with physical intimacy, and sex workers enabled me to do that. At least for me, it's been a healing experience."

Consider this: in some ways alleviating the sexual need that we all have could be a form of therapy with a paid professional.  It's perfectly legal to meet with a psychologist to discuss sexual concerns, but it is not legal, in most places, to meet with a prostitute to work out that tension on your own... if you pay for it.  Through prostitution, someone may be able to meet a need that would otherwise be unfulfilled, which could result in more violent criminal behavior, like sexual assault (aka "rape).  In other words, I believe that the sexual drive becomes so strong at times, that some people are unable to control it and will obtain that release they desire, even against the will of the other participant.  This behavior should not be condoned and must remain illegal, but consensual sex between adults, even for money, hurts no one but the "moral police".

What about Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)?

Many who oppose the legalization of prostitution argue that STDs would spread and that some unsuspecting person may contract a STD if prostitution were legal.  However, it is my contention that just like alcohol sales, which are regulated as to time, place, and quantity in some instances, that if prostitution were legalized, and monitored by the government, much like in some European cities, the government could require registration and testing for the prostitutes.  Granted, this would be more governmental oversight, and while I am not a fan of "Big Brother", I think this would be far less intrusive and more logical than the  current system in place with criminalizing two already legal behaviors: sex and sales. 

Consider this: the government could collect a registration fee from anyone seeking a license for prostitution, it could require testing every six months or whatever period of time was prescribed, and it could contain the behavior to registered facilities.  All in all, it appears that the government would benefit by having an increase in its revenue stream, and the public would benefit because they who choose to participate in sexual encounters with prostitutes would be better protected by the registration and testing.  Communities would benefit by the containment to a given area.  And under this system, criminalization would occur for those not following the system put in place.

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