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New sex trade strategy proposed for single Scottish police force | New sex trade strategy proposed for single Scottish police force |
(about 9 hours later) | |
A single strategy on prostitution has been drawn up for dealing with the sex trade under a single Scottish police force. | A single strategy on prostitution has been drawn up for dealing with the sex trade under a single Scottish police force. |
At the moment different parts of Scotland regulate prostitution in different ways. | At the moment different parts of Scotland regulate prostitution in different ways. |
The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland has drawn up a new strategy ahead of the merger of Scotland's eight forces in April. | The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland has drawn up a new strategy ahead of the merger of Scotland's eight forces in April. |
It includes minimising harm, disrupting organised crime and reducing demand. | It includes minimising harm, disrupting organised crime and reducing demand. |
Much of the debate around the sex trade has contrasted Edinburgh saunas - believed to be tolerated as part of a "pragmatic" approach by authorities - with an approach in Glasgow which is closer to zero tolerance. | Much of the debate around the sex trade has contrasted Edinburgh saunas - believed to be tolerated as part of a "pragmatic" approach by authorities - with an approach in Glasgow which is closer to zero tolerance. |
However, in four month's time Scotland's eight police forces will become one, prompting the new strategy from an Acpos working group. | However, in four month's time Scotland's eight police forces will become one, prompting the new strategy from an Acpos working group. |
It has a number of aims, including to "minimise the levels and impact of prostitution through reducing or eliminating the harm to sex workers". | It has a number of aims, including to "minimise the levels and impact of prostitution through reducing or eliminating the harm to sex workers". |
The proposals also say "high level objectives" have been set for the working group to meet. | The proposals also say "high level objectives" have been set for the working group to meet. |
There will still be some regional variations, but Scotpep - a charity based in Edinburgh which advocates on behalf of sex workers - said it was concerned that Glasgow's zero tolerance approach would be forced on the rest of the country. | There will still be some regional variations, but Scotpep - a charity based in Edinburgh which advocates on behalf of sex workers - said it was concerned that Glasgow's zero tolerance approach would be forced on the rest of the country. |
Scotpep's George Lewis said: "That does concern us, at the moment the largest police force in Scotland has a zero tolerance approach to sex work, and if it's that view that's allowed to prevail we'd be very, very worried about it being extended to the rest of Scotland. | Scotpep's George Lewis said: "That does concern us, at the moment the largest police force in Scotland has a zero tolerance approach to sex work, and if it's that view that's allowed to prevail we'd be very, very worried about it being extended to the rest of Scotland. |
"Particularly when we feel that the police force here in Lothian and Borders has a pragmatic and progressive approach that has given us lots of benefits and advantages." | "Particularly when we feel that the police force here in Lothian and Borders has a pragmatic and progressive approach that has given us lots of benefits and advantages." |
In Scotland, selling sex is legal between two consenting adults - as long as it does not involve selling sex from the street or in a brothel. | In Scotland, selling sex is legal between two consenting adults - as long as it does not involve selling sex from the street or in a brothel. |
Five years ago, buying sex from street prostitutes, or kerb-crawling, became illegal so clients of street prostitutes now face arrest too. | Five years ago, buying sex from street prostitutes, or kerb-crawling, became illegal so clients of street prostitutes now face arrest too. |
In Edinburgh, the city council licenses saunas which are commonly thought to allow prostitution on their premises, this differentiates Edinburgh from the rest of the country. | In Edinburgh, the city council licenses saunas which are commonly thought to allow prostitution on their premises, this differentiates Edinburgh from the rest of the country. |
A council spokesperson said: "Any allegation of criminal activity would be a matter for the police to investigate and report to the council." | A council spokesperson said: "Any allegation of criminal activity would be a matter for the police to investigate and report to the council." |
But the law is also under scrutiny at the Scottish Parliament. A proposed bill is currently out to consultation and the MSP behind it, Rhoda Grant, wants the purchaser of sex to be criminalised. | But the law is also under scrutiny at the Scottish Parliament. A proposed bill is currently out to consultation and the MSP behind it, Rhoda Grant, wants the purchaser of sex to be criminalised. |
Until now, the prostitutes have been criminalised more than their clients. The number of women convicted last year under prostitution-related legislation was 117. | Until now, the prostitutes have been criminalised more than their clients. The number of women convicted last year under prostitution-related legislation was 117. |
A total of 83 men were convicted either for soliciting, kerb crawling or other related offences. | A total of 83 men were convicted either for soliciting, kerb crawling or other related offences. |
Dr Brooke Magnanti achieved fame writing a blog about her experiences as a London call girl, which was serialised on television. She now lives in Scotland and told BBC Scotland's Social Affairs Reporter Fiona Walker she opposes the proposed changes. | Dr Brooke Magnanti achieved fame writing a blog about her experiences as a London call girl, which was serialised on television. She now lives in Scotland and told BBC Scotland's Social Affairs Reporter Fiona Walker she opposes the proposed changes. |
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