Spain has taken a step towards radical new laws challenging prostitution, an industry that is massive and fully legal in the country at present.

Yesterday, the lower house of Spain's Parliament agreed to debate government legislation that would criminalise those who enable the purchase of sex.

The proposals would impose prison terms on pimps and procurers, as well as individuals who knowingly make their premises available for prostitution.

People who pay for sex with others in Spain would also be heavily fined for doing so, mimicking the so-called "Nordic appraoch", which punishes purchasers.

Adriana Lastra, deputy secretary general of the governing Socialist Party, told parliamentarians: “In a democracy, women are not for purchase nor for sale".

CARE is campaigning for legal change in the UK in this area, including a law that criminalises the purchase of sex. Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK to have done so to date.

We are currently working with members of the Scottish Parliament to see legislative change north of the border. Speaking last year, CARE's commercial sexual exploitation policy expert Lauren Agnew said:

“Prostitution is inherently dangerous. It can never be made ‘safe.’ The Scottish Government recognises this in its “Equally Safe” strategy, which already describes prostitution as a form of male violence against women.

“We call on Ministers to listen to the voice of victims of commercial sexual exploitation, women’s groups and others who are demanding the ‘Nordic Model Now’.”

Find out more about CARE's work to challenge commercial sexual exploitation here | CARE for Commercial Sexual Exploitation