An illegal prostitute who was stabbed and robbed in Wanhua early yesterday morning, leaving her in critical condition, has rekindled discussion about how the government should deal with the controversial issue of legal prostitution.
With the two-year grace period for legalized prostitutes coming to an end on Jan. 26 next year, Taipei City councilors and social workers yesterday agreed the city government needs to draw up a comprehensive plan to tackle the problem of prostitution, regardless of whether it is legal or not.
"The city simply cannot ban the sex industry, because it doesn't work," said DPP city councilor Chou Po-ya (
DPP city councilor Lo Tsung-sheng (
Early on Sunday morning, 27-year-old steel worker, Huang Shen-tien (
According to police, at 1:40am last night, Huang -- who has a criminal record for theft, robbery, forged documents and possession of narcotics -- reportedly had sex with Yu in a motel in Wanhua District and refused to pay afterward because he said he could not afford the fee.
The two then got into an argument, after which Huang used a knife to stab Yu three times in the neck.
While Huang was trying to flee with Yu's purse, which contained valuables and NT$40,000 in cash, he was caught by motel personnel and guests who later called the authorities, police said.
Huang later said he acted out of self defense during the fight.
Yu was in a critical condition and unconscious at the Municipal Hoping Hospital as of press time, hospital officials said.
Chung Chun-chu (
"Illegal prostitutes run a higher personal risk than legal prostitutes because legal prostitutes can always turn to the police for help if they run into any trouble," she said.
"In addition, illegal prostitutes are often on their own and canvass for business on the street, unlike legal prostitutes."
Legal prostitutes are also guaranteed a standard fee in exchange for their services, Chung said. "The fee for legal prostitution is NT$1,000 for 15 minutes, while that for illegal prostitution can vary from between NT$1,200 and NT$500 for 15 minutes," she said.
Chung said there were three kinds of prostitutes serving different classes of people.
"First, are those working at escort bars serving high income people, while legal prostitutes serve the middle-income market, and illegal prostitutes the lower-income group," she said.
"Charges for escort services can be as high as NT$7,000 per service," Chung said, their ages vary too, she added.
Taiwan has around 100,000 illegal and 200 legal prostitutes, Chung said.
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