PRESS RELEASE: Anti-trafficking campaigners have backed calls to strengthen the Scottish Government’s Human Trafficking and Exploitation Bill by criminalising the purchase of sexual services.

Lord Morrow, the architect of Northern Ireland’s landmark Human Trafficking Act, gave a speech to MSPs and elected officials at a special meeting today.

He urged those present to consider criminalising the purchase of sexual services in Scotland and his calls have now been backed by Councillor James Coleman, Chair of the Glasgow Violence Against Women Partnership and by Professor Hazel Watson, Convenor of the Scottish Churches anti-Human Trafficking Group.

Councillor James Coleman, Chair of the Glasgow Violence Against Women Partnership (GVAWP), said:

“We have a very strong history in Glasgow of standing up to violence against women in all its forms.

“Key to reducing the harm caused by prostitution is to cut the demand for paid-for sex.

“That’s why we are fully supportive of the Northern Ireland Assembly’s decision to criminalise the purchase of sex.

“We would urge the Scottish Government to follow with similar legislation by extending the Human Trafficking and Exploitation Bill to include the criminalisation of the purchase of sexual services in Scotland.”

Professor Hazel Watson, Convenor of the Scottish Churches anti-Human Trafficking Group said:

"I welcome Lord Morrow's contribution to the debate here in Scotland over how best to deal with the scourge of modern day trafficking.

"His comments about the need to deal with demand for paid sex by criminalising the purchase of sexual services are especially timely.

"It would be hugely unfortunate if this opportunity to ban paying for sex here in Scotland was missed as the evidence shows how effective such a move can be to reduce levels of trafficking.

"At the very least we need to be debating such a move and I hope very much MSPs will take on board some of the points Lord Morrow raised."

Lord Morrow said:
"I welcome the Scottish Government's commitment to introduce human trafficking legislation.
"It has been a privilege to come over to speak to MSPs about my own experience in Northern Ireland of pushing anti-trafficking legislation through the Assembly.
"Much of the bill here in Scotland is welcome but on some aspects it falls short of what it could be.
"I urge MSPs to think seriously about the need to criminalise paying for sex and enshrine support for victims in law."

A CARE for Scotland spokesman said:

“It’s highly significant that key figures in the fight against modern day trafficking are backing Lord Morrow’s calls for purchase of sexual services to be criminalised in Scotland.

“MSPs will not want to waste this golden opportunity to tackle demand for paid sex.

“The evidence overwhelmingly demonstrates demand for sex is one of the principal drivers behind the horror of modern day trafficking.

“Lord Morrow’s Human Trafficking Bill is a template for Scotland to use and we would do well to learn from it.”

Notes:

For more information please contact CARE’s media officer James Mildred on 0207 227 4731 / 07581 153693 or email james.mildred@care.org.uk.

Lord Morrow was speaking to MSPs today about the Northern Ireland trafficking laws and what improvements he thinks can be made to the Scottish Government’s new Human Trafficking Bill.

CARE for Scotland has already urged that the Scottish Government’s Human Trafficking legislation be strengthened.