Perhaps the powers that be should look closely at the "Nordic" model, if indeed the "middle man" could be eliminated, because unfortunately where there is a prostitute, inevitably there is a pimp. Among the posts so far, as Iam64 through her work has had first hand experience of contact with young women who have been sucked into this way of life, her comments carry more weight with me. As Julie Burchill alluded to in the Mirror article the "Happy Hooker" is a misnomer. If they were indeed happy and in control then it wouldn't be the problem it is. I tend to think unfortunately, even those who have had some choice, they still often end up with mental health problems and self loathing issues.
Red light areas should be well away from residential areas, no one really wants to be walking their child to and from school and be propositioned at the same time. I don't really like lap dancing clubs on the high street, there has been a proliferation of them in Bournemouth where we have a time share and it has made the place a magnet for stag (and hen) parties. We tend to avoid the town like the plague from Friday through to Sunday evening because it turns feral!
All in all it's the dark underbelly of the sex industry that is so repugnant, as the ever present news stories about trafficking of the often under age victims makes us well aware that they are treated as disposable commodities. Shame on us as a society for letting human beings be treated in such a way. Maybe the Scandinavian answer should be considered.