Legal Definitions - promoting prostitution

Promoting prostitution, often referred to as pandering, describes the act of intentionally facilitating, encouraging, or profiting from the prostitution of another person. This legal term covers a broad range of activities beyond merely engaging in prostitution oneself. It typically involves actions such as recruiting individuals into prostitution, providing a location or resources for prostitution, advertising sexual services for others, or managing and taking a share of the earnings from someone else's prostitution. The core idea is active involvement in enabling or profiting from the commercial sexual exploitation of another individual.

• Example 1: Providing a Venue and Resources

  A landlord owns a multi-unit apartment building. They knowingly rent out several units at an inflated rate to individuals who openly use them for prostitution. The landlord also provides extra services, such as enhanced security or specific cleaning schedules, tailored to the needs of this illicit activity. They are aware of and profit from the fact that their property is being used as a base for prostitution.

  Explanation: The landlord is promoting prostitution because they are intentionally providing the physical space and additional resources necessary for the activity to occur, and they are profiting from this arrangement beyond standard rental income. Their actions directly facilitate the prostitution of others.

• Example 2: Managing and Profiting from Earnings

  An individual approaches several young adults, offering to "manage" their careers in commercial sex. This person creates online profiles for them, handles all client communications, schedules appointments, and provides transportation to various locations. In return for these services, the manager demands and receives a significant percentage of the money earned by each individual from their sexual services.

  Explanation: This scenario illustrates promoting prostitution because the individual is actively managing, organizing, and directly profiting from the prostitution of others. They are acting as an intermediary, enabling the activity, and taking a share of the proceeds.

• Example 3: Advertising and Recruitment

  A person develops and maintains a sophisticated website that advertises the sexual services of multiple individuals, complete with photos, descriptions, and contact information. They actively market the website and handle initial inquiries from potential clients, directing them to the specific individuals offering services. This person does not engage in prostitution themselves but profits from the advertising fees paid by the individuals listed on the site.

  Explanation: By creating and managing a platform that advertises and connects clients with individuals offering sexual services, this person is actively promoting prostitution. They are making it easier for others to engage in prostitution by providing a public forum for solicitation and facilitating client access, thereby enabling the activity.