Prostitution
Challenging men's demand for prostitution
Commercial sexual exploitation, including prostitution, is a form of gendered violence. We are taking forward a series of policy actions to tackle misogynistic behaviours in society, this includes prostitution.
Principles to underpin Scotland’s approach to challenging men’s demand for prostitution and support those with experience of it have been developed. The principles will inform policy and practice. Read more: Challenging men’s demand for prostitution: policy principles.
Scotland’s strategic approach to challenging men’s demand for prostitution was published in February 2024. This approach sets out the Scottish Government’s collective approach, working with stakeholders across the wider public and third sector, to disrupt and deter men’s demand for prostitution, tackle the stigma attached to prostitution and support those with experience of it.
Research has also informed this work: The experiences of people who sell or exchange sex and their interaction with support services: lived experience engagement.
The multi-agency group on commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) offers an opportunity to consider policy and practice with regards to CSE, as well as being a forum for knowledge exchange. Read more: Commercial sexual exploitation multi-agency group.
The law on prostitution
There are a number of laws in Scotland which make certain activities associated with prostitution illegal. These include:
- running a brothel
- trading in prostitution (including living on the earnings of prostitution)
- procuring or attempting to procure, and trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation
- public solicitation to sell or purchase sex
- loitering to sell or purchase sex
No one can be forced into sexual activity without consent.
Anyone engaged in selling or exchanging sexual services should be able to access support and mainstream services without fear of stigma, judgement and discrimination.
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