Abstract
The article examines the causes that lead to crimes violating moral norms, including the issue of prostitution as a social phenomenon that impacts societal moral norms and values. The main focus is on socio-economic, moral-ethical, and physiological factors that contribute to the rise of prostitution and other criminal acts against morality. The goal is to identify the main reasons influencing the growth of crimes against morality, with a focus on prostitution, and to examine the impact of socio-economic and cultural changes on the spread of these phenomena in post-Soviet society. The study utilizes methods such as analyzing sociological research, expert interviews, statistical data, and publications, as well as theoretical approaches to studying social processes and phenomena such as criminology, psychology, and sociology. The results of the study show that socio-economic factors, such as low living standards, unemployment, and social inequality, play a key role in the rise of crimes against morality, including prostitution. The weakening of traditional moral values, as well as the influence of the media and uncontrolled information flows, exacerbate the issue by normalizing deviant behavior and violence. These findings are important for developing effective social and legal measures aimed at reducing crime, preventing moral decay in society, and improving social policy, which, in turn, contributes to enhancing public morality and strengthening law and order.