The Legal Brothel
Can prostitution exist without exploitation?
Nevada is home to the only legal brothels in the United States. For supporters of legal prostitution, the state is an example for the rest of America. But critics argue that the industry remains exploitative.
Alice Little is the highest earning sex worker at The Bunny Ranch, a legal brothel in Nevada. Last year she sold sex for over $1 million. “I am the CEO of what is now a seven-figure business and brand, which I'm incredibly proud of.” Little argues that legalising sex work empowers women. “We say yes and no. We set the prices. We set the standards. We take the typical American system and flip it on its head.” But others argue that Little’s claims of empowerment come from a position of privilege, ignoring the experience of the majority of sex workers. Rebekah Charleston is a former prostitute who now runs Valiant Hearts, an organisation that offers support to individuals trying to escape the illegal sex industry. For most sex workers, says Charleston, prostitution is not a choice. “For the vast majority what prostitution and dancing and sex trafficking looks like, it's marginalized people that have been abused.”
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