[A proposed Georgia law, H.B. 582 of 2009, would ensure that girls under the age of 16, if taken into custody for prostitution, would be sent to 'diversionary programs' (ie, treatment/therapy) instead of prison. Christians are outraged:]

Result: with no pesky law to restrict them, minors caught for prostitution could prostitute themselves with impunity [...]

Yes, some minors involved in prostitution are forced into it, but Georgia law currently requires harsh penalties for human trafficking. Also, it must be acknowledged that some boys and girls know the law, defy the law and decide to choose prostitution as a way to make money.

Changing laws to accommodate illegal, immoral, unhealthy, destructive and degrading acts will not prevent permanent physical and emotional damage to the minors involved. Legalizing prostitution for boys and girls removes a strong legal barrier that deters some minors, as well as some adults, from engaging in prostitution, simply because they don’t want to go to jail or have a police record. Removing penalties for boys and girls will increase their vulnerability to alternate lifestyles, including homosexuality, and they will prostitute themselves accordingly.

Arguments for decriminalizing prostitution are similar to those used for giving contraceptives to children. The result of that – teen pregnancy is common, almost half of all births are to unwed girls, couples cohabit before marriage, STDs are off the chart and colleges have coed dorms.

Do we want more under-age prostitution or less? To reduce prostitution, enforce the law. Laws, when enforced, do lower the crime rate and prostitution is a crime for all ages.

[...] The threat of arrest, public humiliation and a police record has “scared straight” many minors and adults. Arrest is a valuable life-saving tool that must continue. So, if necessary, hire enough officers to arrest prostitutes of all ages.