2006 Ohio Revised Code - 2907.21. Compelling prostitution.

§ 2907.21. Compelling prostitution.
 

(A)  No person shall knowingly do any of the following: 

(1) Compel another to engage in sexual activity for hire; 

(2) Induce, procure, encourage, solicit, request, or otherwise facilitate a minor to engage in sexual activity for hire, whether or not the offender knows the age of the minor; 

(3) Pay or agree to pay a minor, either directly or through the minor's agent, so that the minor will engage in sexual activity, whether or not the offender knows the age of the minor; 

(4) Pay a minor, either directly or through the minor's agent, for the minor having engaged in sexual activity, pursuant to a prior agreement, whether or not the offender knows the age of the minor; 

(5) Allow a minor to engage in sexual activity for hire if the person allowing the child to engage in sexual activity for hire is the parent, guardian, custodian, person having custody or control, or person in loco parentis of the minor. 

(B)  Whoever violates this section is guilty of compelling prostitution. Except as otherwise provided in this division, compelling prostitution is a felony of the third degree. If the offender commits a violation of division (A)(1) of this section and the person compelled to engage in sexual activity for hire in violation of that division is less than sixteen years of age, compelling prostitution is a felony of the second degree. 
 

HISTORY: 134 v H 511 (Eff 1-1-74); 142 v H 51 (Eff 3-17-89); 146 v S 2. Eff 7-1-96.
 

Not analogous to former RC § 2907.21 (GC § 12447-1; 120 v 444; 124 v 466; Bureau of Code Revision, 10-1-53; 129 v 340; 130 v 660; 133 v S 346), repealed 134 v H 511, § 2, eff 1-1-74.

The effective date is set by section 6 of SB 2. 

 

19xx Committee Report or Comment.

1974 Committee Comment to H 511

Division (A)(1) of this section is designed to consolidate and simplify former provisions for compelling another to engage in prostitution. Both male and female victims are contemplated, and the compulsion used may be force or the threat of force, duress, or coercion of any kind. For purposes of this section it is immaterial whether the victim is compelled to become a prostitute as defined in section 2907.01(D). It is sufficient if the victim is compelled only once to engage in sexual activity for hire. 

Division (A)(2) of this section imposes strict liability for inducing or procuring a person in early adolescence to engage in sexual activity for hire, regardless of whether compulsion is used, and regardless of whether the offender knows the age of the victim. 

The offenses defined in this section are considered the most serious in the hierarchy of prostitution offenses, because of the element of potential harm to the victim in addition to his or her personal degradation. 

Compelling prostitution is a felony of the third degree.