Prostitution in Hungary

Prostitution in Hungary has been legalized and regulated by the government since 1999. Under the law, prostitutes are basically professionals who engage in sexual activities in exchange for money. The government allows this activity as long as they pay taxes and keep legal documents.

History

Often called the world's oldest profession, prostitution in Hungary has been present throughout the country's history. For much of the time, however, it has been an underground and illegal activity, as it still remains in many other parts of the world. In the modern era, Hungary was confronted with excessive tax evasion, and the overall well-being of sex workers was also problematic. For this reason, the government legalized prostitution in 1999.

Current situation

According to the law, local authorities are obliged to mark zones for legal prostitution if there is profound local need. Most local authorities deny the existence of such need, and they often refuse to designate such zones. The trade union of Hungarian prostitutes is still fighting for the zones. There are strict conditions under which prostitutes are to operate, keeping distance away from schools or churches.

Hungarian Prostitutes' Interest Protection Association

The Hungarian Prostitutes' Interest Protection Association (in Hungarian: "Magyarországi Prostituáltak Érdekvédelmi Egyesülete") was founded in 2000 by Ágnes Földi. It serves as a trade union and lobbying organization to prostitutes in Hungary. According to its website, the "Association has established the expert co-operation with the task of giving a helping hand to the prostitutes in their re-adaption into the society." Among its main goals, the organization pledges to help prostitutes to spend the least amount of time as sex workers, return to society successfully, and prevent the spread of the activity to other aspects of life.

Additionally, the association also provides counseling, routine health checks, legal advice, and it serves as an outreach program to which prostitutes are encouraged to turn when facing difficulties. In 2002, homosexual and transgender prostitutes also joined the organization in order to effectively lobby the government.

Due to regulation, which mandates those engaged in prostitution to subject themselves to periodical health checks, the trade union provides such services. Most attention is focused on the diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) such as Chlamydia, Hepatitis B, HIV, Syphilis, and Gonorrhea (Tripper). These checks cost approximately US$90, and they are valid for three months.

Criticism

ee also

* Sex tourism
* Prostitution in ancient Greece
* Human trafficking

External links

* [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/24/AR2007092400842.html Hungary Gives Permits to Prostitutes]
* [http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/councils-come-to-grips-with-oldest-profession/2007/10/16/1192300767467.html Councils come to grips with oldest profession]
* [http://blogs.smh.com.au/sit/archives/2007/09/undercover_accountants.html Reassessments: Undercover accountants]
* [http://archive.salon.com/sex/world/2000/08/17/formula_one/index.html Formula for success]
* [http://prostitualtak.hu/ Hungarian Prostitutes' Interest Protection Association - Official Website]
* [http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2002/18369.htm US Dept of State]