The Crime of Prostitution and Debauchery via the Internet "A Descriptive, Analytical and Comparative Study"

Abstract

Objectives: The present study aimed to shed light on the crime of prostitution and debauchery via the Internet in terms of the legislation and laws in Egypt, Jordan, and Palestine. This was to explain the legal basis on which this crime is based. Methodology: The present study employed the descriptive, analytical and comparative approach by explaining the nature of the crime of prostitution and debauchery via the Internet. Moreover, this study analyzed the forms of physical behavior on which the crime of prostitution and debauchery is based, and then the criminal penalties resulting from this crime in accordance with Palestinian, Jordanian and Egyptian legislation in addition to addressing the treatment of this crime in international law. Results: The element of habituality is not required to impose punishment on the perpetrator of this crime. Conclusion: It is necessary to fill the legislative gap regarding the criminalization of the act of debauchery, especially the act of sodomy, in both Palestinian and Jordanian legislation as the fact that prostitution is criminalized in law and that both legislators criminalized prostitution represented by acts of prostitution alone in the Penal Code, but did not criminalize the act of debauchery represented by sodomy. In order for it to be correct to single out the criminalization and punishment for acts of prostitution and debauchery via the Internet, it is necessary to begin by criminalizing the act of sodomy. It is not sensible to criminalize the act of promoting, inciting, or seducing people via the Internet to practice sodomy, while the act of sodomy is not principally criminalized in law.