Houston strip clubs are now helping rape victims with a new “morality tax” which will help fund Police rape kits. Is this a smart partnership or a crusade gone mad?
The debate about whether porno and strip clubs contributes to the rape of women has gone on for decades. The answer is pretty complicated and finding a direct link will probably never be possible. But no matter which side of the fence you sit on a new initiative in Huston may appear a little strange.
The city has recently introduced a “pole tax”, which charges patrons an extra $5 to get in to any adult establishment. According to The Wall Street Journal, there are about 6,000 rape kits in police custody waiting to be tested — each test will cost about $1,100 to complete. This new tax anticipates pulling in $3 million in the first year.
Critics have called the scheme is unfair, arguing there is no firm link between rape and strip clubs. But even if there was, isn’t it a bit strange? Would we ever think it right for a tabacco company to fund a cancer unit for example?
What do you think? Should strip clubs be helping to fund services for rape victims?
Photo: Justin Orenellas
Any money raised to help process biological evidence through labs in rape cases is a good thing, but I don’t think this is the wat to do it. After all, there is no proven link between this sort of adult entertainment and rape rates. This will just ensure that people assume there is.