MATANAT AZIZOVA: PROSTITUTION BECOMES YOUNGER

    Average age of prostitutes has become younger, Turan was told by the head of Women Crisis Center Matanat Azizova. Responding the question on the problem of prostitution she said that it is a serious problem in Azerbaijan, and the only form of fight against prostitution is a spot-check conducted by police in the bars and night clubs; some NGO suggest to legalize this oldest profession.
    «Our Center considers necessary to investigate seriously the reasons for this event , and to take decisions on the basis of investigation,» Azizova said.
    During spot-checks conducted by police almost all young women are detained, and if the fact of prostitution is a women is fined 35 or 40 manat. Therefore, the conduction of such spot checks is less effective.
    There is a special police of morals in many countries; the employees of this structure know well where prostitutes work; in order to detain a women it is necessary that she take money for sexual services. Nothing else proves that she is a prostitute. Bu It is inadmissible that in Azerbaijan almost all women in bars and clubs are detained , and video images are telecast on all channels, and their faces are shown, Azizova said. Responding the question on participation of law enforcement bodies to the business of sexual services Aziziova considers that many houses of prostitution work under the cover of influential people. There is not a ground to think that they all are controlled by law enforcement bodies. But there are some cases, she said referring to the evidences of prostitutes themselves.
    According to Azizova, the main reason for prostitution is socioeconomic . «Usually women do it because they jobless; the other reasons are cases of violence in family, early marriage and divorces. Most of such women have no education, and cannot find a job. Usually they are easily attracted by procurers by force or voluntarily.
    Azizova stated that prostitution is becoming younger; several years ago average age of prostitutes was 25 years old, but not it is from 15 to 18. She considers it is necessary to reveal and punish all who patrons prostitution houses. But it has never happened in Azerbaijan, though in some countries even clients of prostitutes are punished, and this method could be applied in Azerbaijan. Azizova considers insufficient measures of fighting against prostitution on official level. It would be right to solve social problems, to open working places and to increase the living standard of population, Azizova believes.