--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When prostitution is a crime, the message…" description: "\"When prostitution is a crime, the message conveyed is that women who are sexual are \"bad,\" and therefore legitimate victims of sexual assault. Sex beco..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a83/margo-st-james-77731_assault_when-prostitution-is-a-crime-the-message_3122695.jpg" --- # When prostitution is a crime, the message conveyed is that… ![“When prostitution is a crime, the message conveyed is that women who are sexual are "bad," and therefore legitimate victims of sexual assault. Sex becomes a weapon to be used by men.” quote by Margo St. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a83/margo-st-james-77731_assault_when-prostitution-is-a-crime-the-message_3122695.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a83/margo-st-james-77731_assault_when-prostitution-is-a-crime-the-message_3122695.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a83/margo-st-james-77731_assault_when-prostitution-is-a-crime-the-message_3122695.jpg) > “When prostitution is a crime, the message conveyed is that women who are sexual are "bad," and therefore legitimate victims of sexual assault. Sex becomes a weapon to be used by men.” Margo St. James ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Criminalizing prostitution stigmatizes women’s sexuality, framing them as immoral and justifying assault. **In simple terms:** Labeling sex work as crime harms women. Key Takeaway Challenge the stigma, support decriminalization. Themes gender equality sexual rights victim blaming Mood concerned determined Type activist advocacy When to use this quote - advocacy - policy reform - education - support services Key Concepts feminist theory social stigma Questions to Reflect On - How does language shape attitudes toward sex workers? - What policies can reduce assault risk? A Different Perspective Criminal law alone cannot protect victims without cultural change. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Assault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/assault/) [Crime](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crime/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Messages](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/messages/) [Prostitution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prostitution/) [Sex](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sex/) [Sexual assault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sexual-assault/) [Victim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/victim/) [Weapons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weapons/) ## Related quotes > [Given the realities of the U.S. criminal justice system, the prosecution may be unable to salvage this case. 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