Original
The illegal market for sex in the United States: Insights from economic research
Abstract
The illegal market for sex in the United States generates significant economic activity yet remains understudied due to its illegality and clandestine nature. This paper synthesizes existing empirical evidence documenting aspects of market structure, impacts of regulation, and notable changes over time. Criminalization, while intended to suppress the market, often exacerbates harms by displacing activity underground, increasing violence against sex workers, and elevating disease transmission risks. Natural experiments, including decriminalization episodes in Rhode Island and policy shifts in Europe, reveal that decriminalization can reduce sexually transmitted infections and violence against women. Additionally, technological shifts-particularly the rise of online platforms due to the internet-have reshaped market organization. These findings challenge conventional legal and moral frameworks and underscore the need for evidence-based policymaking to guide effective regulation of sex markets.
中文
美国非法性交易市场：来自经济研究的洞见
摘要
美国非法性交易市场产生了可观的经济活动，但由于其非法性和隐蔽性，相关研究仍然不足。本文综合现有实证证据，记录市场结构、监管影响以及随时间推移的显著变化。刑事定罪虽然旨在压制该市场，却往往通过将活动转入地下、增加针对性工作者的暴力以及提高疾病传播风险而加剧危害。自然实验，包括罗德岛州的非罪化经历以及欧洲的政策转变，表明非罪化可减少性传播感染和针对妇女的暴力。此外，技术变迁——尤其是互联网带来的在线平台兴起——重塑了市场组织。这些发现挑战了传统法律与道德框架，并凸显了以证据为基础的政策制定对于指导性市场有效监管的必要性。
关键词
非法性交易市场、性工作、非罪化、自然实验、监管、性传播感染、经济研究