Mutual consent is critical, but it cannot be the only benchmark. The critical problem that remains is the issue of abuse...both from the perspective of underage, blackmail, addiction and coercion; AND from the organised crime that enriches itself from it.

One can retain all the romantic notions of prostitution one likes, but the fact remains that the majority is abusive, and will always be abusive in most cases.

I remain deeply ambivalent about legalizing approaches. I think there are many opportunities for that to go so wrong as to be rendered meaningless...but I suppose there are ways of doing it right.