New plans to tackle prostitution by criminalising pimps, brothel keepers and customers are to be launched in the Scottish Parliament. Labour MSP Trish Godman, who unsuccessfully attempted to add a prostitution amendment to the Criminal Justice
Bill that was passed in the summer, is to launch a consultation on a new private members bill, with people able to comment on it until 18 February. The Criminalisation of the Purchase and Sale of Sex (Scotland) Bill , focuses on the people
who facilitate and purchase sex, while treating the sex worker as a victim. Ms Godman said: Prostitution should be regarded in Scotland as an abuse and an exploitation that will not be tolerated - we must call time on the punters, pimps and
brothel keepers. My legislation will challenge the whole acceptance of men buying sex. Update: 'Consultation' Thanks to Melanie-H
Trish Godman has published a worthless one sided, and presumably private 'consultation' which only allows for opinions supporting her aims:
- to make the purchasing/selling of sex indoors illegal;
- and to strengthen existing legislation to criminalise activities linked to prostitution, specifically advertising and facilitating
She has put together a 'consultation' document with no provision whatsoever to oppose the proposal. It asks:
- Which option do you favour? Please explain the reasons for your choice.
Option 1 is to criminalise both the seller and the purchaser;
Option 2 is to criminalise only the purchaser.
- What penalties would have a deterrent
effect for the purchaser/seller?
- What are the barriers to policing and enforcing a prohibition on advertising?
- What penalties are appropriate for those who advertise brothels or prostitution, bearing in mind these
may range from individuals such as prostitutes to organised crime gang members?
- What are there barriers to policing and enforcing this aspect of the proposal?
- What penalties are appropriate for those that
facilitate prostitution, bearing in mind these might be individuals such as prostitutes or organised crime gang members?
- What other costs might arise as a consequence of this proposal?
- Are there any equality issues
that arise from this proposal?
Responses are invited by 18th February 2011 to: Trish Godman MSP
Q2.08a
Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh EH99 1SP
Tel: 0131 348 5837
Fax: 0131 348 6460
E-mail: trish.godman.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
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