MSPs urged to end years of inexplicable inaction and back sex-buying ban

Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) have been urged to end the years of ‘inexplicable action’ and back the Prostitution (Offences & Support) (Scotland) Bill.

The legislation has its Stage One debate today (Tue 3 February) and needs majority support to have chance of becoming law.

The Bill proposes to create a new offence of paying for the performance of a sexual act by a person.

It would also place a new duty on Ministers to ensure anyone in prostitution is given assistance and support and it would repeal section 46 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 by which a person found guilty of loitering or soliciting in public for prostitution commits an offence.

If MSPs back the sex-buying ban at Stage One it would send a strong signal that Scotland is no longer a safe place for those who profit from the so called ‘sex trade’.

CARE for Scotland Policy Officer, Michael Veitch, said:

“Due to the Scottish Government’s formal recognition of prostitution as a form of violence against women, it is illogical and harmful that those victims are presently criminalised while the men who exploit them are not.

“As many victims of prostitution will also be immersed in a complex web of drugs, addiction, poverty, domestic violence and the control of traffickers or pimps, it is critical that clear, accessible support channels be offered to women who wish to escape exploitation.

“We urge MSPs to support the Bill at Stage One and so enable further scrutiny and debate.

“Doing so would send a signal to those who profit from the so-called ‘sex trade’ that Scotland is no longer a safe place to operate.

“It would be a genuine tragedy if yet another parliamentary session concludes without any action to criminalise this recognised form of violence against women.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

For more information or interview requests: james.mildred@care.org.uk / 07717516814

Northern Ireland is currently the only part of the United Kingdom where buying sex is a criminal offence.

Other nations around the world where similar legislations exists are: Sweden, Norway, Republic of Ireland, Iceland, Canada, Israel.