Representatives of the Catholic Church in Scotland have written to the First Minister to point out support for a law criminalising the acquisition of sexual acts.
The Prostitution (Offences and Support) (Scotland) Bill was proposed by independent MSP, Ash Regan, and goals to crackdown on the demand side of the sex industry, moderately than on the availability side.
As well as cracking down on buying sex, the bill would also quash previous convictions under section 46 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, which criminalises soliciting by prostitutes.
By erasing past convictions related to soliciting, the bill would remove a “significant barrier” to rebuilding lives blighted by prostitution, the letter argues. The bill also provides a right to support for many who have been involved in prostitution.
The letter, written by Bishop John Keenan, representing the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, said that Regan’s proposed bill represents “an important step toward protecting a number of the most vulnerable individuals in our society and addressing the systemic harms related to prostitution in Scotland.”
Bishop Keenan said that reducing prostitution and coping with exploitation, coercion and harm is “each compelling and vital”. The letter added that by difficult demand moderately than supply, the law would stop punishing those that are themselves victims of trauma and exploitation.
“Evidence from Scotland and beyond demonstrates that prostitution is deeply rooted in vulnerability. A disproportionate variety of those involved have experienced childhood sexual abuse, time in care, grooming, and other types of trauma,” he said.
Supporters of the bill hope that targeting demand may have a knock-on effect on the dark world of human trafficking, which is closely linked with the sex industry.
“While not all individuals in prostitution are trafficked, trafficking for sexual exploitation is a documented and significant issue in Scotland,” the letter continues.
“International comparisons show a transparent connection between demand for prostitution and trafficking, with countries adopting demand-reduction laws seeing meaningful reductions in exploitation and criminal activity.”
Bishop Keenan concluded the letter to the First Minister saying, “I recognise that political beliefs on the Bill vary, and expect Parliament to offer considerable scrutiny from which the Bill can profit, but I feel Scotland has a crucial opportunity to display leadership within the protection of vulnerable women and girls, the prevention of trafficking, and the promotion of equality. I urge you and your Government to support the Bill because it proceeds through Parliament.”
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