NUMBER: 455
MNEMONIC: RUSSEX
Author: Carrie McVicker
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I. IdentificationMany parts of the former Soviet Union have become economic
disaster areas. With unemployment skyrocketing, more and
more Russian women have turned to prostitution as a means
of earning a living. This in turn has caused an alarming
increase in the rates at which
sexually transmitted diseases are
contracted and spread throughout the region. It has evolved
into a dangerous situation given the absence of sexual
education in schools under the Communist Party for
approximately seventy years. Even today progressive Russians
are finding themselves up against a roadblock when it comes
to educating the citizenry on such matters as safe sex and the
practicality of condoms. However, the crisis is not going to end anytime soon with one out
of every eight schoolgirls aspiring to be a hard-currency call girl when she grows
up.(Goscilo 14) Unfortunately for many this is the only way to lead a comfortable existence
in the ever sinking Russian economy. Two prevalent themes will be seen throughout this
case study: prostitution as an economic endeavor for women with limited choice coupled
with an usurped Russian sexuality and secondly the enormous rise in sexually transmitted
disease via prostitution.
The interdevochka or international girls are what prostitutes are often called in Russia, due to their preference for wealthy foreign men.(Marsh 191) However each section of the world has dealt with the phenomenon in markedly different ways, Russia being no exception. In 1913 the London-based newspaper Rabochaia pravda ran an article on the 5thInternational Congress for the Struggle Against Prostitution.(Meliksetian 87) This Congress, which incidentally was attended by many prominent men from around the world, spoke of the shame that prostitution was bringing upon the world. Their solutions involved such static elements as the police and religion. Interestingly enough one delegate from Austria raised the idea of regulating prostitution and establishing a wage system. Brutishly silenced, his idea never came to fruition.
Fast forwarding to 1974 one finds perhaps the most famous Russian prostitute of all time, Regina Savitskaya. She had been a promising student of the Bolshoi Theatre and without explanation threw everything aside and became an "international girl." Back in the 70's it was common practice for some young women to sleep with men not for money but for gifts and extravagances they could not afford otherwise. Regina, hearing a sad story about one of these girls decided to "revolt" in her own special way. Regina goes on to tell how surprised some would be if they knew that many Russian women were willing to sleep with someone to obtain luxury goods from the hard-currency stores. Some even required the "Ivan" to take them grocery shopping before they would allow the act to occur. Twenty years ago prostitution was not technically illegal under the Soviet Criminal Code. If the government wanted to punish a prostitute they were usually arrested under the guise of hooliganism or malicious injury. A malicious injury charge was only given if the prostitute knowingly spread an infectious disease and the john was "brave" enough to step forward and have her arrested. Regina also points to the fact that many Soviet officials at the time kept mistresses. In fact it has often been rumored that Brezhnev, Khrushchev, and even Stalin kept a few women in nice apartments for such occasions. It is important to understand that though theses officials kept women on the side they were never considered whores. Regina said that though many in Russia had dalliances outside of the marriage, society remained very puritanical as a whole.(Brokin 186)
Prostitution was officially denied in Moscow until the 1980's. The silence was broken in 1986 when a Soviet newspaper Moskovsky Komsomolets ran a piece on the Interdevochka and her glamorous lifestyle earned while servicing foreign clientele.(Kon 222) This was quite a shock to a country that had denied such a problem for so long. One must understand that under the Communist Party there was no state sanctioned sexual education, condoms were in very short supply and many women never knew they were pregnant until well after their 5th month.(Goscilo 14) An issue like prostitution being addressed in the newspaper was a serious matter. Thus the Soviet Union began to examine its policy towards sex and prostitution. The government found that over 70% of unmarried Russians engaged in unprotected sex and that 1 in every 4 abortions worldwide occurred right within USSR borders.(Goscilo 14) The sad truth was that despite the growing number of prostitutes during the time of communism only an elite few lived the life of the interdevochka. Most Soviet prostitutes worked for the deflated ruble and were among the poorest in society. Some were even willing to engage in sexual activities for as little as $0.40(US).(Kon 223) These women not only worked for less but they risked so much more. These women were often undereducated, poor, and alone. In order to make ends meet they had to service more clients per day than the hard-currency girls. The ruble prostitutes did not have nice apartments to entertain in most often relying on alcoves of buildings or empty bathrooms at the train station. Safety and hygiene were not key issues for these women and medical care was not within their reach. These women without being aware of it share a large responsibility in the spread of STDs within the former-Soviet Union and Russia.
In 1995 Igor Kon, perhaps the premier sexologist ever to come out of Russia, published a book on sexuality in Russian society. In his works he shows some of the ever changing statistics for Russian society and prostitution. Prostitution in Moscow tends to fit the following profile: 87% are under the age of 25 while half of those are under the age of 18, 9.1% became prostitutes before 14 years of age and 12% of these started their career after being raped. When interviewed 9.1% said they had a university education and more than 2/3 of the prostitutes had no other income outside prostitution. One in 4 were married and 1 in five have children, but perhaps most alarming was that 1 in 7 suffered from some form of venereal disease.(Kon 224)
There is a duality occurring in Russian society today in what is coined the Madonna/whore complex. Prostitution is being redefined in divergent ways. Some see the prostitute as the "hooker with a heart of gold" while others see her as a brash woman trying to claim superiority over men. This duality stems from the disintegration of the Soviet Union.(Marsh 17) Under communism women and men were technically equal under law. With the break up of the union many governmental figures tend to support a more traditional view of women as housewife and mother, while the man assumes the role of the sole-breadwinner. Prostitution for some is the only alternative to a male enforced unemployment situation.
Hard-currency prostitutes are easy to find in Russia today. One simply has to look in newspapers such as the Moscow Times and Moscow Tribune in the classified sections under "Massage" or "Introduction." These are usually prostitution rings who run their operation like any other business. One simply calls the number, describes what they are looking for and she is sent to the desired meeting place, from there she conducts the business transaction herself. Many, if not most, of the ads have one stipulation No Russians Please. Russian men were considered too poor for high-price prostitutes, foreigners were considered a better business deal. Prices can range from $150(US) an hour and upwards.(World Sex Guide) The economy does not allow many new businesses to flourish in Russia, except for the business of sex. There is a large influx of foreigners coming into Russia for business transactions. These men can and do pay for the company of young Russian women. What they do not realize is that these beautiful young women may be harboring deadly diseases that are transmitted through sexual contact. Many of these diseases can be contracted even when a condom is used. After these men leave Russia the business of the Russian prostitute becomes an international disaster.
The April 7, 1997 US News & World Report published findings of Russian prostitution
being shipped abroad, right into our own backyard, Bethesda, Maryland. Police infiltrated
and shutdown a prostitution ring designed to illegally bring in Russian women and force
them into prostitution. Many of these women were lured into this trap with promises of
lucrative careers in America in modeling and acting. Of course once they arrived in
America their passports were confiscated and they were held against their will. To escape
this many Russian women apply to marriage clearance houses in hopes of snagging a
wealthy foreign husband. (Pope 38-44)
NUKESMUG
caseTHAITOUR
caseTHAIAIDS
caseRUSSAIR
caseMYANSEX
caseRUSSNUKE
caseTAIGA
caseKeyword Clusters:
(1) Trade product = SEX
(2) Bio-geography = COOL
(3) Environment Problem = HEALTH
Carrie McVicker, October 1997
II. Legal ClustersThere has been much disagreement on what to do about widespread prostitution in Russia. One possible solution which failed miserably was the idea of a "Board of Shame" which would house pictures of known prostitutes, hoping to deter people from associating with them. However this plan backfired in a major way. Men interested in acquiring the services of a prostitute would simply use this board of ill-repute as an information center and then go and visit the girls pictured there.(Meliksetian 85) Several newspapers pointed to the fact that before one can solve the problem of prostitution one must officially recognize it first. There were still no laws on prostitution.(Meliksetian 86)
The more progressive solution would involve the regulation of prostitution. Some even suggesting that cities could gain a more stable financial base from a prostitution tax, similar to Nevada's. An editorial in the St. Petersburg Times called for rules not penalties for their population of prostitutes.(St. Petersburg Editorial) The paper even went so far as to challenge the legality of making ones source of income felonious. Many cities do not have the money to challenge prostitution. They can hardly afford to pay their police forces. Currently, many police officers in Russian cities support the idea of regulating the prostitution trade.(Kovalov, St. Petersburg Press)
In a small city close to the border of Finland, many
citizens are pushing for the regulation of prostitution.
Apparently many wealthy Finns can easily cross the
Russian border to purchase sex at cheaper rates. The
police of the small town, Vyborg, can not keep up with
the thriving sex trade business. The only alternative for
them is regulation. A severe crack-down on prostitution
in the city would deprive the businesses of the
desperately needed foreign income.(St Petersburg Press,
"Prostitution Thrives")
A more recent problem for Russia is the alarming number of Russian women being sold into sex trade rings abroad. Many of these women are tricked into leaving the country with promises of work and luxury in foreign countries such as the United States and Taiwan. Because a large number of these women were involved in questionable sexual practices before leaving Russia they often carry disease overseas. Most countries, like Taiwan, are not willing to put a stop to this sex trade because it offers them an overall economic boom.(Moffitt, St. Petersburg Times)
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently published a statement decrying the rising STD rates in the Commonwealth of States (CIS). The report stated that the number of reported STD cases in the CIS has risen 20 to 30 times in the last 10 to 20 years. The report also showed a positive link between the rise in the number of AIDS cases in Russia to prostitution and unemployment. In fact the number of syphilis cases has risen 40 times since 1989 in Russia alone. This is almost 100 times higher than the European Union (EU) average. One doctor was reported to say that man has now become similar to a mosquito in disease transmission - taking it from one continent to another.(McAdams, St. Petersburg Press)
One must realize that AIDS is a disease that does not discriminate between wealthy and poor nations. It is a problem that all countries have to deal with. However it is twice as bad in a country like Russia where sexual education was denied to the public for almost seventy years. This lack of sexual education coupled with the international call girl could put the entire world at risk.
Three separate solutions have been heavily discussed in various localities within the state of Russia:
While some of these possibilities are more realistic than others none of them have gained the majority of support.
III. Geographic Clustersa. Geographic Domain: Europe
b. Geographic Site: East Europe
c. Geographic Impact: Russia
While some may feel that Russia should assume a leadership position in finding a solution
to the problems of STDs and prostitution within its borders, it just is not feasible right now.
The Russian government is bogged down with a myraid of problems, from mafia activity to
nuclear proliferation that prostitution is very low on the list of problems. It is really up to
the cities and towns to deal with their local prostitution issues. The localities are better
able to judge their own situation and how to attack the problem. It is unlikely that the
cities would receive any money from the state to combat the problems of STDs and
prostitution. The state does not have extra money to give out for these problems.
Education and the dispersion of condoms at the local level will help to alleviate some of the
problems but not the entire situation.
IV. Trade ClustersThe localized governments within Russia must take the initiative in solving the country's burgeoning problems with the rising rates of sexually transmitted diseases. Administrative measures debated and decided within these local governments could help to slow the process of STD spread to a more controllable rate.
a. Directly Related to Product: Yes
b. Indirectly Related to Product: Yes
c. Not Related to Product: No
d. Related to Process: Yes, Health
Given the economic situation in Russia today have no other choice but to sell the only commodity they own - themselves. Illegalization would also bear a great impact on the state, given that the state would, in theory, be held ultimately accountable for these women's lives. One must also bear in mind that just because something is made illegal does not mean that it goes away. If prostitution was illegal women would simply be forced to take their "wares" underground. The state would be left with a burgeoning population of disease ridden people. This does not even include the possibility of AIDS births, and the ultimate death of AIDS mothers.
Between 1992 and 1993 70% of people laid off from their jobs were women.(Marsh 211) Which makes the notion of over 10,000 prostitutes in Moscow alone very easy to understand.(Maclean's 27) It is precisely because the economy is in shambles, forcing women out of the labor market that prostitution has become a thriving alternative. The state cannot afford to support these women in a welfare like environment. The state does not have the resources nor do the cities. Therefore it is up to these women to do what they need in order to survive.
A survey compiled in 1990 showed that Soviet women ranked prostitution 8th in a list of what they felt to be the top 20 employment positions in the USSR. Around the same time 1/3 of high school girls admitted that they would exchange sex for hard currency.(Goscilo 14) This was beginning to occur so often that a dictionary style term was created to describe the phenomenon. Highlifism which meant that young women actively sought out men who could provide them with material wants and desires in exchange for sexual favors. Once the girls were caught up in this lifestyle it was often hard to break free. Many became drug addicts and often became the subject of violent rapes.(Marsh 176-180)
The Russian cities must address the problem of prostitution because the country cannot support these women if they are not earning money and, the Russian state cannot support these women and the men they will most likely infect with incurable diseases if they can no longer work.
Prostitution and AIDS have officially crossed all borders. Russian prostitutes are being discovered throughout the world, with discoveries in Bethesda, Maryland and in Vyborg, Finland, Russian prostitution has definitely become an international problem.
See examples of Vyborg and St. Petersburg under LEGAL CLUSTERS.
V. Environment Clusters
In 1987 2/3 of people "convicted" of spreading STDs
were prostitutes. (Remember issue of malicious injury
case.) Out of all those who were convicted only 42%
said they were actually afraid of contracting
AIDS.(Kon 227) Sixty percent of all women with STDs
in Moscow began having sex before the age of 17. As a
matter of fact the number of new syphilis cases since
1988 has doubled and then tripled.(Kon 230)
Russia was not ready for the invasion of AIDS. The government had trained the people to believe that only homosexuals and drug users contracted the disease. Given this disinformation it is no wonder that 80% of johns interviewed cited the fact that they never took precautions when they engaged in sex with prostitutes.(Kon 230)
Name: Human
Type: Mammal
Diversity: Billions
Without a solid resource base in sight it will be difficult for Russia to establish research facilities and clinics to treat people with AIDS and other STD's. Perhaps localities might have a better chance if they can utilize their own resources without the help of a centralized government. As was stated earlier the new Russian government is going to be unreliable in producing resources for endeavors in the health field. This is, unfortunately considered a low priority next to economic matters and foreign investment, and the government's overwhelming problems with organized crime.
While one could say that condoms would be a substitute they are never 100% effective. Perhaps the best substitute would be education coupled with STD clinics and the greater disbursement of condoms and literature citing their effectiveness.
VI. Other FactorsThe Russian culture is a puritanical culture that has spent most of its lifetime in denial of sexuality. Sexual education and contraception were banned under Stalin in hopes of expanding the Russian population to fuel his armies. In the long run this has hurt the Russian people cognitively. They cannot except sexuality as a part of their personality. Again the image of the Madonna/whore comes to mind. This gives prudence to the myth that women with AIDS deserve it and Russian society does not need to help them. However the Russian culture must accept the realities of today's society and its problems. For even they are not immune to this terrible affliction.
It has been said throughout this study that AIDS and prostitution have become trans-national commodities.
Do prostitutes deserve equal protection of human rights? Yes, and they also deserve the protection of the government in their right to work.
Borisova, Yevgenia, "Prostitution thrives in Vyborg's streets." St. Petersburg Press, 1995. Available from: http://www.spb.ru/appress/120/feature.html. Internet accessed September 25, 1997.
Brokhin, Yuri. Hustling on Gorky Street. New York: The Dial Press, 1975.
Georgieff, Anthony, "Baltic States/Russia: Eastbound Sex Tourism Increasing, Radio Free Europe, Available from http://www.rferl.org/nca/features/1997/04/F.RU970414120700.html. (View)
Goscilo, Helena. Dehexing Sex: Russian Womanhood During and After Glasnost. Ann Arbor, Michigan: The University of Michigan Press, 1996.
Kon, Igor. The Sexual Revolution in Russia. New York: The Free Press, 1995.
Kovalov, Vladimir, "City Urged to Cash In On Sex Trade." St. Petersburg Press. Available from http://www.sbp.ru/sppress/75/city.html. Internet accessed September 25,1997.
Macleans. "A Thriving Vice Trade," 26 (February 15, 1993) 27.
Marsh, Rosalind, ed. Women in Russia and Ukraine. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1996.
McAdams, Lisa, "Former USSR: WHO Warns of Venereal Disease Threat From East," Radio Free Europe. Available from: http://www.rferl.org/nca/features/1997/04/F.RU.970407135543.html. Internet accessed September 25, 1997.
Meliksetian, A.S. "The Social Causes of Deviant Behavior in Young Women." Russian Social Science Review 33 (March 1992) 83-96.
Moffett, Julie, "Russia/US: Countries to Work to Prevent Trafficking In Women," Radio Free Europe. Available from: http://www.rferl.org.nca/news/1997/04/N.RU.970407152835.html. Internet accessed September 25, 1997.
_____, "Russia: Solving The Problem of Trafficking In Women," Radio Free Europe. Available from http://www.rferl.org/nca/features/1997/04/F.RU.97041130306.html.
Pope, Victoria. "Trafficking in women." US News & World Reports (April 7, 1997) 38-44.
St Petersburg Press. "Prostitutes Need Rules Not Penalties," Available from http://www.spb.ru/times/272-273/edit2.html. Internet accessed September 25, 1997.
World Sex Guide Document: Moscow, Wednesday, January 22, 1997. Available from http://www.paranoia.com/faq/prostitution/Moscow.txt.html. Internet accessed September 19, 1997.
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