Citation

Mathieu L. Actes Recher. Sci. Soc. 2013; (198): 5-+.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Maison des sciences de l'homme)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

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Abstract

For a decade or so, France has witnessed an unprecedented process of politicization of prostitution, exemplified by polemical public debates, the mobilization of NGOs, parliamentary reports and legislative reforms. This process was not so much triggered by the transformation of prostitution practices (characterized in particular by the influx of foreign prostitutes who are allegedly victims of human trafficking) as it was shaped by the imposition of dominant definitions of prostitution as sexist violence and offense to human dignity, the abolition of should take primarily the form of repressive measures. The paper traces the different stages of the process whereby prostitution has been transformed into a public issue that typically rests on a coalition of actors (pro-abolition activists, feminists, police personnel, neighboring communities, local or national politicians) with disparate interests.