John School

Brooklyn now allows first-time johns to attend classes about the evils of prostitution, rather than go to jail. Interesting concept; interesting article (but colorful language). Link. Excerpts:

"I wanna ask you," [a former prostitute] says to the men, most of whom appear to be in their late thirties, "how many of you would take advantage of a physically retarded person, you know, like deformed? Well then, why would you take advantage of someone who is emotionally retarded? Because that's what prostitutes are. We were victimized as children. We are empty shells."

On the supply side, the grim truth is that younger and younger girls are getting into the life. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children still reports the average age of entry as 14, but advocates say that number has dropped as low as 12, particularly in the poorest neighborhoods, like East New York and other sections of Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. Up to 30 percent of street prostitutes are under the age of 18, according to some experts.