Does Prostitution Constrain Sex Crimes? - Micro-Evidence from Korea

MAGKS DP No. 21-2015. Marburg

Posted: 23 Jul 2016

See all articles by Seo-Young Cho

Seo-Young Cho

University of Marburg - School of Business & Economics

Date Written: October 01, 2015

Abstract

This paper investigates empirically whether prostitution reduces sex crimes. Theoretical predictions suggest two contradicting effects: substituting or complementing. By using survey data of sex offenders in Korea, I find that prostitution increases the probability of one committing sex crimes. Also, the experience of buying sex with a minor exacerbates the severity of sex crimes. These results indicate that prostitution intensifies one’s propensities for more violent sexual behaviors, suggesting a complementary relationship between prostitution and sex crimes. The main findings do not alter after accounting for the endogeneity of the model.

Keywords: sex crime; prostitution; complementary effects; substitution effects

JEL Classification: D62; J16; K14; K42

Suggested Citation

Cho, Seo-Young, Does Prostitution Constrain Sex Crimes? - Micro-Evidence from Korea (October 01, 2015). MAGKS DP No. 21-2015. Marburg, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2813190

Seo-Young Cho (Contact Author)

University of Marburg - School of Business & Economics ( email )

Barfuessertor 2
Marburg, Hessen 35037
Germany

HOME PAGE: http://www.economics-human-trafficking.org/

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