Educating The Johns

In many states, police officers try to reduce prostitution by arresting sex workers, a stop-gap solution that doesn’t address the other half of the dollar: the demand.

“Johns,” as the clients of sex workers are often called, can also be thrown in jail or charged a hefty fine. Neither of these solutions address the motivations or inequity behind these crimes: that paying for sex is unethical, dangerous, and can contribute to much graver sexual exploitation of women and children in other parts of the world.

“John schools” are one-day educational programs that teach first-time offenders about the real women who are out on the streets in high heels and short skirts. Men also learn how sex crimes in their city connect to trafficking in other countries and about diseases transmitted during unprotected sex.

John schools are gaining popularity in response to a strained legal system, and as the push to educate, instead of incarcerate, increases. With us today to talk about one of the first john schools and a model for many others throughout the country is Kelly Tyne. He’s coordinator for the First Offender Prostitution Program in San Francisco.

The Boston Globe: Dear John

(Photo by Malingering via Flickr/Creative Commons)