TAIPEI: The public has mixed views on whether prostitution should be a punishable offense, according to a poll conducted by the "Ministry of the Interior" (MOI).

"Interior Minister" Jiang Yi-huah said yesterday that the survey, which was completed in the last half of 2009, found that 48.8 percent of the people think the government should protect the working rights of prostitutes, while 43.2 percent disagree.

"The results were just as mixed among women's groups, with some advocating the decriminalization of prostitution, some taking the opposite view, and others suggesting that any penalties should be extended to patrons of the trade," Jiang said.

According to the survey, 60.1 percent said they are aware that the Social Order Maintenance Act stipulates "prostitution is prohibited and violators should be punished."

However, only 23.3 percent of the respondents were aware that the penalties apply only to prostitutes and not to patrons.

The majority - 52.9 percent - were of the opinion that consensual sex trade between adults is not a crime and should not be punishable, while 42.7 percent disagreed with that view.

The survey also found that 74.6 percent think that sex trade among adults is common in Taiwan society.

Some 68.5 percent of the respondents said that sex trade between adults should be managed, with 83.6 percent of that group favoring the establishment of a special zone, and 25.1 percent saying the sex trade should not be restricted to any particular area.

As for the opinions of local governments, Taipei and Chiayi cities are opposed to setting up special zones, while Kaohsiung, Hsinchu, and Taichung cities and Taipei, Taichung, Tainan and Penghu counties favor special zones.

Taipei County is in favor of designating red-light districts, but does not want them within its boundaries.

China Daily/CNA

(HK Edition 02/03/2010 page2)