">Forum Views ()
">Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
RI tries _ again _ to outlaw indoor prostitution
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Search
Search:
RI tries _ again _ to outlaw indoor prostitution
By RAY HENRY,Associated Press Writer AP - Friday, June 19
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The undercover police officer paid $60 to enter the Midori Spa just blocks from Providence city hall. A massage therapist rubbed the officer's back, then simulated a sex act with her right hand.
ADVERTISEMENT
"You want more?" she asked, explaining it would cost an extra $20.
"Next time," the cop said, according to court documents, then walked out. A short while later, the woman and five others were arrested in a prostitution sting.
This encounter would be an open-and-shut prostitution case in any other state besides parts of Nevada. But in Rhode Island, a legal loophole allows sex for cash, if it's done in private. The women in the Midori case were acquitted.
Now there is a push to close the loophole created by a legislative mistake 30 years ago.
Gov. Donald Carcieri is joining lawmakers, police chiefs and others Thursday at a news conference to press the state Senate to pass legislation that would make any prostitution illegal _ effectively putting out of business the so-called massage parlors and spas that proliferate in Rhode Island. The bill passed the House last month.
Rhode Island's loophole went mostly unnoticed until Providence police raided several spas in 2003, including the now-defunct Midori, and then lost their cases in court because of the loophole. Police can arrest prostitutes operating on street corners, but they struggle to make charges stick against those operating indoors because the current law _ passed when street prostitution was rampant _ specifies outdoor solicitation.
Since then, lawmakers repeatedly have tried _ and failed _ to change the law but faced opposition from civil libertarians, advocates for sex workers and even the state chapter of the National Organization for Women. They say permitting the arrest of prostitutes could end up punishing human trafficking victims.
They doubt these trafficking victims _ mostly Asian will open up to police after a raid, and they say a criminal record could make it more difficult for prostitutes to leave the sex industry.
"We would never arrest a domestic violence victim in the hope we could get her to cooperate against her abuser," said Andrea Ritchie, director of the Sex Workers Project at the Urban Justice Center in New York, who has lobbied against the bill.
Rep. Joanne Giannini, who sponsored the legislation to close the loophole, argues many of the women who work in the Rhode Island sex shops are coerced victims of human trafficking. Without a stronger prostitution law, police lack the tools to intervene.
"We're going to become a safe haven for the sex industry," she said. "I don't think that Rhode Island should have this dubious distinction."
All states beside Rhode Island and Nevada have laws forbidding the solicitation of prostitution, although police and prosecutors have discretion over how to enforce them, said Ron Weitzer, a sociology professor who studies the subject at George Washington University.
Some police departments tacitly operate under the Rhode Island model, only targeting prostitutes and customers who become a nuisance in public.
"If they publicized it, for one thing, they'd get criticized by the public, the media or politicians for not enforcing the laws against indoor prostitution," Weitzer said. "Or it might lead to a flux of indoor workers into a particular city."
Giannini's bill would give police discretion in making arrests and includes specific protections that allow human trafficking victims to be acquitted by arguing they were threatened, restrained or had their immigration papers stolen.
Those changes have not satisfied the state branch of the National Organization for Women or the Rhode Island Commission on Women, which withdrew its support. The commission wants a guarantee that trafficking victims won't be charged in the first place, said Shanna Wells, the commission's executive director.
"You're arresting her and she'd have to go through this whole legal process before she could even defend herself," Wells said.
Rhode Island's current prostitution laws are the consequence of a 30-year-old legislative accident.
In 1976, a group called Call Off Your Old, Tired Ethics _ or COYOTE _ filed a lawsuit arguing the state cannot ban purely private sexual activity between adults, even if money is involved. The group also claimed that police were unfairly targeting women prostitutes while largely ignoring their male customers.
The disputed statute was so restrictive that a federal judge found it could potentially ban even some forms of consensual sex between adults.
Around the same time, residents in the West End of Providence complained to police that outdoor prostitution was so rampant that customers were randomly soliciting women on the street. So legislation was passed that outlawed only paid sex and cracked down on those making solicitations outside.
A federal judge who later analyzed the statute ruled it also had the effect of decriminalizing indoor prostitution.
Former House Speaker Matthew J. Smith said lawmakers never meant to draw a distinction between indoor and outdoor prostitution. Even so, he wants state lawmakers to eliminate any ambiguity.
"There's no choice," Smith said. "We're the laughing stock of the country."
In the years since, spas sprouted in Rhode Island's urban communities and a few suburban ones, too. Their advertisements run alongside those for strip clubs and adult stores and offer services described as "body shampoo," "table shower" or "relaxing body rub."
Other notices are less subtle: "Hot Asian Girls!"
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Sign in to recommend this article »
0 users recommend
Related Articles: World
Life in jail recommended for WWII massacre suspectAP - Friday, June 19
Iraq: US soldier charged in death waives hearingAP - Friday, June 19
Many thousands of reform supporters rally in IranAP - Friday, June 19
Geithner defends plan to step up oversightAP - Friday, June 19
Supreme Court issues rulings ThursdayAP - Friday, June 19
Most Popular – World
Viewed
Clones of 9/11 hero dog unveiled in Los Angeles
Men's 'stiff upper lip' may explain cancer death rate
Obama signs note for girl who played hooky to see him
Climate change is happening 'here, now': US report
Flyswatter-in-chief flexes his muscles in White House
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Friday, 19 June 2009 Thousands mourn Iranians killed in protests
EU to grant Ireland guarantees ahead of treaty vote
IPhone to hit stores as Apple awaits Jobs' return
Swiss court jails lover for murder of banker
World powers push for financial sector reform
Timeline of Iran's election crisis
Cats and dogs meet up online in Colombia
China slams Google over porn
Jerusalem launches debate on sharing holiest site
Turkey says willing to resume Israel-Syria talks
| International
|
Iraq: US soldier charged in death waives hearing
LG to produce monitor with virtualization technology
Navy monitoring North Korean ship: U.S. officials
| International
|
Iraq forms committee after prisoner abuse reports
China attacks Google over "pornographic" links
Tennis ace Sharapova unveils blinking phone dress
U.S. agencies eye coordinated Afghan civilian surge
| International
|
Doh! Wrong turn? Homer gives driving directions
New Iran opposition rally in Tehran: witnesses
U.N. says Colombian army executed innocent civilians
| International
|
Greenpeace spoofs Int'l Herald Trib; IHT objects
Britain wants more Myanmar sanctions over Suu Kyi
| International
|
LG to produce monitor with virtualization technology
Japan to help other countries develop nuclear power
Climate change threatens to knock crop yields
Chinese gays step quietly toward progress
Analysts: NKorea's chemical arms as grave as nukes
Bombs kill 5 police, 2 civilians in Afghanistan
Republican: Will Sotomayor represent 'all of us'?
Report: US not doing enough against gun smuggling
Global plans for birthday of Myanmar's Suu Kyi
SC job-seekers line up for gig cleaning nuke waste
Midwest storms spawn possible tornadoes
Four militants killed in Thai south: military
IPhone to hit stores as Apple awaits Jobs' return
| Technology
|
US Senate votes formal apology for slavery
Japan to help other countries develop nuclear power
Late cardinal's nephew claims abuse by priest
Suspected US strike kills nine in Pakistan
Miss. civil rights slayings to get historic marker
Taiwan set to mass produce swine flu vaccine: firm
Page Not Found |
RI tries _ again _ to outlaw indoor prostitution
House set to put new restrictions on Gitmo closing
US ambassador dedicates first Afghan nat'l park
Correction: Pregnant Woman Killed story
Vietnam arrests 3 democracy activists
Microsoft takes on Symantec, McAfee in security
| Technology
|
Federal gay marriage challenge has Hollywood style
World Bank raises China 2009 growth forecast
Japan's Laox plans to sell stake to China retailer: report
China may buy more US Treasuries: ex-central bank chief
Larry David takes acting turn for Woody Allen
Beijing defends 'buy China' order
New Yorkers travellers urged to be more polite
Thai Airways announces new president
`Jersey Boys,' StubHub team up for ticket venture
Federal gay marriage challenge has Hollywood style
Japan's Elpida to seek govt help: report
Versailles royal opera house to reopen after revamp
Belarus looks to Turkmens as ties with Russia sour
Kenzo collection fetches 1.9m euros at auction
US eases technology transfer for GE India
Italian author to receive German literary prize
En garde! Rival houses offer Picasso musketeers
Pakistan's forex reserves rise to $11.64 bln
Greece's Acropolis Museum to open
Woody Allen eyes Carla Bruni for film role
Jolie, Pitt give $1 million for Pakistan refugees
| Entertainment
|
Just a Minute With: Sandra Bullock's Proposal
| Entertainment
|
Larry David takes acting turn for Woody Allen
| Entertainment
|
New Kids cancel Australia tour, blame recession
| Entertainment
|
Khamenei to lead prayer amid Iran poll unrest
Schools out, but Hong Kong teachers stay online
Britain says too early to lift Zimbabwe sanctions
Khamenei to address Iranians after election unrest
| International
|
Trans-Atlantic flight lands safely after pilot dies
Microsoft to provide free anti-virus software
North, South Korea talk factory park; U.S. tracks ship
| International
|
Iraq taking over security in cities from US
Paris Air Show sales yield unsurprisingly low
Iraq confident about security after U.S. troops leave towns
| International
|
South Korea tops in broadband penetration: study
Thailand's Muslim south gripped by fear
| International
|
Iran protester: People want a new election
Saudi faces rising swine flu threat from Muslim pilgrims
Hunch service an online tool for making up minds
Hundreds of thousands stage somber rally in Iran
Myanmar's Suu Kyi turns 64 amid outrage over trial
| International
|
U.S. company tells PC makers: halt China anti-porn software
Iran's Mousavi: now political rock star
Punishment for Afghan raid unlikely: U.S. military head
| International
|
Violence kills 11 in Afghanistan
Rights groups urge US laws to punish Internet censors
U.N. says Colombian army killed innocent civilians
| International
|
EU calls for US to loosen grip on Internet governance body
Japan passes law boosting anti-pirate mission
| International
|
Vietnam detains four more linked to rights lawyer
| International
|
Microsoft putting investment behind search: CEO
Microsoft takes on Symantec, McAfee in security
Apple unveils new iPhone without Steve Jobs
Asia needs bold action on climate change: S.Korea
Climate change venture aims to text Africans weather info
North and South Korea try to defuse tension
South Korea says Qualcomm licensing unfair: source
| Technology
|
Global campaign to mark Suu Kyi's 64th birthday
U.S. company tells PC makers: halt China anti-porn software
| Technology
|
Arrests at demo against Chinese leader in Slovakia: report
Ensign helped mistress's husband get 2 jobs
Indonesian candidates spar in TV debate
North Korea in global insurance scam: report
3 killed in house explosion in southern Texas
NRC to send shortfall letters to 26 atomic plants
US military debates Afghan air strike probe
Gov. Schwarzenegger's testicle sculpture a flop
Senate Dems pare back health bill
House postpones vote on judge's impeachment
ICE: Drug fugitive dubbed Ghost arrested in Ohio
S.Korea FSS hints at tighter home loan regulations
Two Koreas hold talks on future of joint project
Taiwan dollar firms on exporters, c.bank caps gains
S.Korea's KIC to resume overseas investment in 2009
Twilight star Pattinson hit by taxi as flees fans
| Entertainment
|
S.Korea policy should support recovery-regulator
Cher struggles, but supports child's sex change
| Entertainment
|
Korea Hot Stocks
"Twilight" star Pattinson hit by taxi as flees fans
Katherine Heigl returning to Grey's Anatomy
| Entertainment
|
Katherine Heigl returning to "Grey's Anatomy"
Seoul shares rise on econ hopes; chip issues up
Frank Lloyd Wright's famed Ennis House to be sold
| Entertainment
|
'Ocean's 12' star Cassel has 'Cross' to bear in Oz
South Korea says Qualcomm licensing unfair-source
Old Hound Dogs Leiber & Stoller up to new tricks
| Entertainment
|
TLC: Jon & Kate announcing a major decision Monday
US trade board rules against Chinese tire makers
Cher struggles, but supports child's sex change
Michelin to invest one billion euros in India: report
Kelly Preston takes first role since son's death
Katy Perry vs. Katie Perry
| Entertainment
|
Archuleta's dad enters plea in prostitution case
US woman ordered to pay 1.92 mln dlrs in music piracy case
Alba follows apology with donation to United Way
Tonys retiring special theatrical event category
Google vows to fight porn in China after govt rebuke
Stanford to face federal court on fraud charges
Iran people picked who they wanted: Khamenei
Air France to compensate crash victims' families
| International
|
Google China ordered to block porn access
UN rights chief warns Iran over protest crackdown
Chubby people live longest: Japan study
Policeman killed in ETA car bombing: official
LCD TV sales outlook raised for 2009: DisplaySearch
Aid gets into Sri Lanka camps, few people get out: U.N.
| International
|
Nigerian rebels 'destroy' oil pipeline
Stanford to appear in court on fraud charges
Google translation tool aims to improve Iran info access
Britain wins EU bank bailout assurances: document
F1 governing body 'not surprised' at sport's split
Telling a story in 140 characters or less
U.N. reports big drop in Colombia cocaine production
| International
|
Porsche 9-month sales shed 15 pct to 4.6 bln euros
Pakistani cleric's murder stokes sectarian tension
| International
|
US woman to pay 1.92 mln dlrs in music piracy case
Swedish museum looks back at 50 years of Ikea design
Global crisis pushes 100 million into hunger
| International
|
Bomb kills policeman in Spain, ETA blamed
| International
|
Study: US technology key to China and climate
Obama promoting fatherhood as national priority
Smaller crowds greet new iPhone from Apple
| Technology
|
Eight percent admit to downloading video illegally
| Technology
|
Fla. judge to consider releasing Caylee's autopsy
Google translation tool aims to improve Iran info access
| Technology
|
Nude hiking buffs ready to shed as solstice nears
Pakistani jets bomb suspected Taliban facilities
Unicom, Apple close to iPhone deal for China: Merrill
| Technology
|
Taiwan, US break up human smuggling ring
Southern Baptists to gather in Kentucky
Afghan police: 16 Taliban killed in battle
Google China ordered to block porn access
| Technology
|
Jackie O half-brother under investigation in Ore.
LCD TV sales outlook raised for 2009: DisplaySearch
| Technology
|
Chinese TV employees suspended for Tiananmen broadcast
Global campaign marks Suu Kyi's 64th birthday
Obama's Darfur policy lacks clarity, advocates say
Celebrity birthday wishes for Aung San Suu Kyi
Consumers could get up to $4,500 toward new car
SKorea rejects North's demand on factory park
Detroit man confession: 'I kill people for money'
Google to step up anti-porn efforts in China
Australia PM faces down car-dealer scandal
SKorean PM says climate change a threat to Asia
China shares rise after 9-month ban on IPOs ends
North Korean soccer brings Chinese company success
Japanese stocks rise on upbeat US data
Thailand must address illegal ivory market: TRAFFIC
Thailand's exports plunge at record rate in May
Pakistan looks abroad to boost energy capacity
Brazilian fashion gets racy -- and racial
'Balibo' understates cruelty killings: Ramos-Horta
Cricket calms Indian student tensions in Australia
Indonesian woman murders newborn out of shame
Frank Lloyd Wright's famed Ennis House to be sold
Swedish museum looks back at 50 years of Ikea design
Boyle: Hopeful 'Slumdog' improves kid stars' lives
Source: Knight out, Heigl in on `Grey's Anatomy'
President Marks Father's Day With Town Hall, Mentoring Session With Dwayne Wade
Obama: Russian Nuclear Proliferation Still A Global Threat
Jury Awards Record Companies $1.92 Million In P2P Lawsuit Redux
Republicans Blast Obama's Refusal To "Meddle" With Iran's Contested Elections
Deadlock Grips New York Senate As Democratic Boycott Continues
Chinese-Made Kick Body Boards Recalled For Lead Paint Hazard
Minnesota Lawmaker Launches Campaign To Succeed Gov. Pawlenty
Pentagon Deploys Defense System To Hawaii To Protect Against North Korean Missile
Houston Billionaire Allen Stanford Arrested For $8 Billion Fraud
Supplemental War Spending Bill Worth $106B Gets Senate Nod
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights