ABSTRACT
This chapter explores some of the reasons why prostitution emerged as a policy issue when it did, how it was presented to the Soviet people, the perceived nature of the problem itself, and the ultimate official response. The circumstances surrounding prostitution were therefore such that by the turn of the century it had become a significant social issue. As war communism gave way to the New Economic Policy, however, and as the life of the average citizen began to approach the prewar norm, the Soviet leadership was disturbed to discover the resurgence of prostitution. Public opinion against prostitution has risen dramatically due to recent publicity, and this has been accompanied by demands to deny the women various rights and benefits, including those intended to aid their children. In the Soviet case, there are a variety of ways in which the legal system and police authorities may be brought to bear on the practice of prostitution.
