Massive reduction in the prosecution of those soliciting prostitution since 2008/2009

Professor John Robertson OBA

From Statistical data on arrests and convictions: FOI release published yesterday:

Under the Prostitution (Public Places) (Scotland) Act 2007 Section 1, in 2008/2009 there were 90 prosecutions of those soliciting prostitution in Scotland and in the last three years of reporting, there have only been 7, 8 and 8.

https://www.gov.scot/publications/foi-202500485945/

This legislation reflects Scotland’s approach to managing prostitution, focusing on the actions of those seeking services rather than criminalizing the individuals providing them.

It is clearly working.

In England & Wales criminalising the prostitutes, often the victims of violence and addiction, rather than soliciting, remains the practice.


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