This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Legislation on prostitution
18/09/2006
The Prostitution (Public Places) (Scotland) Bill was published today proposing to, for the first time, criminalise the nuisance caused by those who purchase sex on the streets.
The Bill seeks to address the problems caused not only by 'kerb-crawling' but by all people seeking to purchase sexual services - not just those operating in a vehicle.
The Executive has also published a consultation on draft guidance for local authorities and their community planning partners to help them develop local strategies to address the problem of street prostitution by:
- education and prevention
- challenging the demand for prostitution
- reducing the harm for those involved
- helping women to leave prostitution
- protecting communities from the effects of street prostitution
Deputy Minister for Finance and Public Service Reform George Lyon said:
"This Bill will reform outdated and unfair legislation on prostitution. The current legal situation only criminalises women who sell sexual services - not the men who buy the services.
"There is a need to redress this balance to protect communities from antisocial behaviour arising from street prostitution, whether caused by the seller or purchaser. Under this new legislation both buyers and sellers of sex who cause nuisance will be committing a criminal offence.
"The new offences created as part of this Bill will tackle the nuisance caused by those looking to buy sexual services either on foot or by 'kerb-crawling' in cars. Anyone causing nuisance, alarm or offence by selling sex, on behalf of themselves or others, would also be committing an offence."
"The change to the legislation is one part of our response to the Expert Group's report on street prostitution. Legislation, on its own, cannot eradicate street prostitution. Ending prostitution requires local solutions in response to local needs.
"That's why we have also been working with local authorities and their community planning partners to develop guidance to help them tackle street prostitution in their areas which we are going out to consultation on today."