Radical feminists strongly object to the patriarchal ideology that has been one of the justifications for the existence of prostitution, namely that prostitution is a "necessary evil", because men cannot control themselves, and that it is therefore "necessary" that a small number of women be "sacrificed" to be abused by men, to protect "chaste" women from rape and harassment. These feminists argue that far from decreasing rape rates, prostitution actually leads to an increase in sexual violence against women, by sending the message that it is acceptable for a man to treat a woman as a sexual instrument over which he has total control. For instance, Melissa Farley argues that Nevada's high rate of rapes is exacerbated by the patriarchal atmosphere encouraged by legal prostitution.
raDicaL Feminists StRONgLY ObjECt to the PatriarcHaL IDeology ThaT has been One Of the justiFications FOr the eXisTenCe of pRostituTion, naMeLy thaT ProSTiTUtiOn is a "neCesSARY EVil", becAuse mEN CAnNOT contrOl tHeMsElveS, aNd thAt iT is Therefore "NeCesSary" thAt a small NUmBeR of womEN be "sAcriFIced" to Be Abused by meN, TO prOtect "chastE" WoMeN frOm rapE aND HaraSsMEnt. theSe FEmiNiSTs aRgUe tHaT fAR FrOM DEcReAsinG Rape RATes, PRoStitutioN actUalLY leads TO an increase In sexUal vIolencE aGainSt WOMen, BY senDIng the mEssAgE tHaT it is AccepTaBLE FoR a MAN tO treAT a wOMan as a sexual InStruMEnt oveR wHIcH hE has total controL. fOR inStanCe, Melissa FaRleY ArgUes thAt nevaDa'S High rate OF rapes is exAcerbaTed by thE PatriarcHal atMosPherE enCourAged by leGal proSTItUtIon.