Abigail R. Hall-Blanco, PhD Biography
- Title:
- Assistant Professor of Economics at the University of Tampa
- Position:
- Pro to the question "Should Prostitution Be Legal?"
- Reasoning:
-
“[C]riminalizing prostitution makes sex trafficking more likely. One widely recognized consequence of prohibition is the formation of cartels, which in a black market are more likely to use violence. This violence drives some producers out of the market, leading to higher prices and large criminal enterprises with monopoly power. Instead of breaking apart sex-trafficking rings, prohibition increases their profitability, making trafficking more appealing to criminal enterprises…
After legalizing prostitution in 2003, New Zealand found ‘no incidence of human trafficking.’ Moreover, legalization made it easier for sex workers to report abuse and for police to prosecute sex crimes.”
“Legalized Prostitution Is Safer,” lasvegassun.com, Feb. 19, 2017
- Involvement and Affiliations:
-
- Affiliated Scholar, Mercatus Center, 2016-present
- Assistant Professor of Economics, University of Tampa, 2015-present
- Affiliated Scholar, Foundation for Economic Education, 2015-present
- Research Fellow, Independent Institute, 2014-present
- Education:
-
- PhD, Economics, George Mason University, 2015
- MA, Economics, George Mason University, 2013
- BA, magna cum laude, Economics and Business Administration, Bellarmine University, 2011
- Other:
-
- Previously worked as a dance instructor teaching tap, jazz, and ballet
- Quoted in: