Psychologist: Naming and shaming prostitutes is counterproductive to educational goals
According to psychologists, the public shaming of sex workers by police in Phu Quoc seems like a spontaneous act without thinking about the consequences it could bring.
Obstructing the rehabilitation process
Psychologist Tran Thanh Nam (University of Education, Vietnam National University, Hanoi) said,Naming and shaming prostitutes is not intended to be a social critique or to educate prostitutes, but is primarily punitive. It violates the principle of “respect for dignity.”
 |
| The police naming and shaming of prostitutes and sex buyers in the street has caused a lot of controversy in recent days. Photo: Internet |
According to Dr. Nam, naming seems to be a spontaneous action without considering the consequences that it may bring. The negative consequences that can be clearly seen are that it will cause psychological harm to those related to prostitutes, for example, their children or families will be stigmatized. And so, naming, in my opinion, violates the principle of “goodwill and no harm”.
Public shaming can also hinder the girls’ rehabilitation process even if they want to and try. It violates the principle of “fairness”.
Sharing the same opinion, Dr. of Psychology Vu Thu Huong (Hanoi Pedagogical University) said that even if they commit crimes and are punished by law, insulting them is still taboo.
According to Dr. Huong, ridiculing and insulting others is against one’s conscience. Moreover, this can affect their children and relatives.
The name of the person running the prostitution ring should be made public.
From a legal perspective, Dr. Tran Thanh Nam said that our legal system does not require the names of prostitutes to be exposed in the street like that.
“This form does not prevent men from buying sex, but can even be seen as a way to advertise and promote the work of the prostitute,” Dr. Nam emphasized.
Pointing out the consequences of naming names can also lead to confusion that causes a lot of trouble, for example, many husbands have to sit down and explain to their wives that there is a name on the phone that frequently calls and coincidentally has the same name as a prostitute.
“It violates the principle of “integrity and professionalism”” - Dr. Nam affirmed.
This psychologist also believes that in these cases, if it is necessary to publish a name, it is best to publish the name of the person who ran the prostitution ring and was arrested.
Dr. Vu Thu Huong believes that the effects of name calling in public will sometimes have very serious consequences such as children being disappointed in their mothers, ashamed of their mothers, and having negative and foolish actions when their mothers are named. At that time, those who name call will commit other serious crimes.
Previously, on January 30, social networks were abuzz with a more than 4-minute clip about the Duong Dong town police, Phu Quoc district (Kien Giang) publicly revealing the identities of those who bought and sold sex on Cach Mang Thang Tam street, ward 10, Duong Dong town. In this clip, a police officer stood reading a report proposing administrative penalties for those who bought and sold sex. When this clip was posted on Mr. D.QV's personal page, it quickly attracted more than 71,000 views, nearly 300 shares and hundreds of comments. In particular, many people expressed their dissatisfaction with the above action because it publicly revealed the identities of those who bought and sold sex, including children.
