The Scottish Government will today launch a consultation on prostitution which could lead to men being banned from buying sex.
The move is part of a radical bid to tackle the issue of prostitution, which the Government sees as an abuse of women.
It is also looking for ways women can be supported to exit sex work, which may be their only real source of income.
Community Safety Minister Ash Denham said sex work was harming women and that demand had to stop.
She said: “Prostitution has wide reaching impacts both on the individuals involved and across Scotland’s communities.
“It is sometimes portrayed as glamorous or an easy way to make money, the reality is often very different.
“Behind closed doors and hidden from public view, prostitution can be harmful.
“Harm can vary from threats, rape, sexual assault to poor mental health and addiction.”
The consultation is exploring ways to create a cultural shift in Scotland, in which men no longer think the purchase of sex is acceptable.
Campaigners are hoping the consultation is the first step in Scotland moving towards the criminalistaion of sex, as seen in countries such as Sweden, Canada, Iceland and Ireland.
Studies have shown making the purchase of sex illegal can reduce demand, as men fear being criminalised.
Sweden also saw a dramatic fall in sex trafficking as criminal gangs could no longer operate effectively.
In 2012, Labour MSP Rhoda Grant, who is co-chair of the Cross-Party Group in the Scottish
Parliament on Commercial Sexual Exploitation, lodged a bill to criminalise the purchase of sex, which didn’t pass.
Last night she welcomed the consultation and said it must now lead to legislation in the next parliament to make the purchase of sex illegal. She said: “The purchase of sex is a violent act against women and it should be criminalised.
“Scotland is lagging behind on this issue.”
She said Scotland prides itself on having some of the world’s most progressive legislation on domestic abuse, trafficking and violence against women but it had failed to tackle the problem of sex work.
She added: “We will never tackle violence against women, while women are for sale.”
Any decision to legislate would be for the administration in Government following next year’s election.
It is estimated that four per cent of men in Scotland have paid for sex.
To express a view, go to https://consult.gov.scot
