The History of Prostitution

What is considered the oldest profession in the entire world? If you guessed prostitution, you would be correct! Women have been selling their bodies in exchange for money since the beginning of time. Although their names may differ: escort, courtesan, female companion, whore, sex trade worker or female companion, their business is the same. The Bible contains many references to this practice and evidence of prostitution can be found in ancient art, music and literature throughout the world.

Here are some of the important stages throughout the history of prostitution:

12th Century

- “Bawdy houses” are established in England.

- Brothels open up shortly after in France and Italy, followed by “women’s quarters” in Germany.

13th Century

- A mass outbreak of syphilis occurs in Naples, Italy in 1494 as a result of the widespread prostitution.

14th-15th Century

- Fear of venereal disease becomes more widespread.

- A “house of prostitution” is established in Avignon, France in 1347 in an attempt to eliminate or at least reduce the outbreak of venereal disease.

16th Century

- Upper class prostitutes are called courtesans and they enjoy high status in wealth in Victorian society.

- They are bestowed with luxuries from wealthy businessmen and enjoy greater freedom, money and independence than most other women of the time.

17th Century

- France implements a system of severe financial and physical punishment for anyone maintaining a brothel.

18th Century

- Prostitutes in France organize a protest against the brutal treatment and language used against them by the police in Paris.

- French prostitutes begin using condoms.

19th Century

- In 1825, thousands of individuals ruin brothels in Pennsylvania to protest the system of fines against prostitutes.

20th Century

- Prostitution is abolished in Sweden – a country that has never contained in any brothels.

- Traditionally a female occupation, a greater number of male prostitutes appear.

- Women start to organize themselves in the 1970s and 1980s; ironically, prostitution is partly fueled by the feminist movement.

- The Mustang Ranch is established just outside of Reno, Nevada in 1971 and it remains the state’s largest brothel until it’s closed down in 1999.

- Germany holds a “women at work” conference in 1991 and participants from 16 European countries deal with issues facing sex trade workers.

- A conference called “Soliciting For Change” is held in Britain in 1993 to address the UK laws regarding prostitution. Although women can’t be imprisoned for prostitution, they can be fined and placed in jail for failing to pay such fines.

- Heidi Fleiss, also known as the “Hollywood Madam” is convicted in 1995 of running a very successful brothel in Los Angeles. She is fined $1500, charged with 3 counts of pandering and sentenced to 3 years behind bars. She purportedly maintained a book containing all of the names of her famous clients who came from all professions and levels of society.

21st Century

- Prostitution is prevalent throughout the world, with younger children being forced into the sex trade in many foreign countries.

- Sex tourism becomes very popular in poorer countries such as Thailand, Cambodia, Brazil and the Caribbean.

- Sex trafficking becomes more prevalent with many foreign women sold into prostitution after being lured to other countries with false promises.

- Many reforms held in various countries to address the safety of prostitutes and establishing laws to punish individuals engaging in illegal activities concerning prostitution.