>>One thing that I found interesting about this Snopes article is the difference between the written law (prostitution is forbidden in some counties), and what is actually enforced. Seems to be the same problem all over the World.
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>The problem is that when enforcing anti-prostitution laws, all countries invariably prosecute the supply side, while doing nothing against the demand. In a raid, who gets arrested? The working girls and sometimes their pimps. The customers are set free.
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>The real solution would be... well, it was attempted in 1968, but the influence of few millenia of sexual oppression was too strong, so you will always have a number of people who can't have voluntary sex with their peers, so they'll engage in any type of financial transaction to get the un-free variety.

Here in Bolivia, we have a similar situation (I assume, in many other countries the situation is similar).

Officially, prostitution is forbidden - at least, that is my understanding. In practice, it is quite openly accepted. Doctors check the prostitutes, to see whether they are fit to work. Traditional chicherías (places that sell chicha, a beverage from fermented maize) have a white flag on a long pole, to indicate their line of business. A red flower at the top of the flag means they offer additional services.