Edit to add my opinion so I’m not just replying “I agree” to 90% of comments. I think it should be legal, properly regulated, taxed and viewed as a profession. I haven’t personally engaged in it but I have no moral objection to it. I do hate the common sentiment that it was the individual’s “only option” though.
I agree with your first paragraph, but I’ve heard from experts in the field that human trafficking is already illegal, criminalising sex work just scares the victim into silence.
A lot of sex slaves here in Australia are immigrants who agreed to an illegal and unethical deal in order to flee their home countries. So when the cops bust a trafficking ring, what do they do? Send the girls back home to the regime they fled. That’s not helping. The government should give them a visa and let them work here if they want.
I’m just highlighting an issue, I absolutely think it should be legalised and regulated but it’s not some magic bullet that solves all problems.