Strip Clubs to Help Fund Rape Crisis Centers [Sex in the News]

By Leah

Sin taxes. Those extra fees on your alcohol or cigarettes that both discourage use and raise money for the government all in one. In Illinois there’s a new type of tax being rolled out to your local strip clubs.

The new additional taxes will take in approximately $1 million a year to fund rape prevention and help counsel victims. It will take effect in January, charging clubs either $3 a customer or pay a graduated amount based on sales. Over the last four years rape crisis centers have lost one-quarter of their funding. The new tax will help fill the gap, to ensure that sexual assault victims are able to receive informed help and counseling.

There was debate about this issue, mainly surrounding whether this bill unfairly linked strip clubs with crime and violence. It’s part of a set of three laws signed in by Gov. Pat Quinn. One will allow prosecutors to use prior domestic violence offenses to support their case when domestic violence is related to first- and second-degree murder. The other has a voluntary course at high schools that will educate students on domestic violence, sexual assault, date rape, bullying and suicide.

What do you think about this new tax? Is it a good way to fund centers that are short on funds?

Leah graduated from Ryerson University with her Bachelor of Journalism. She’s currently interning at a design magazine in Toronto and spending her spare time baking tasty cupcakes. You can follow her @ElleandBee.