Upcoming attempt to partially criminalise prostitution in Scotland

[YourSlavius]

Ash Denham MSP wishes to introduce the "Nordic Model" for Scotland. This is a set of laws which have been implemented in Sweden, Iceland, Ireland (Northern and Republic), France and a few others. One of these laws is to criminalise the paying for sex. Supporters of this claim it will "tackle men's demand". Ms Denham also wishes to criminalise escort directories ("pimping websites" in her words) for Scotland as well. She is calling it "a model for Scotland" if you want to look it up.

There have been previous attempts to implement this in Scotland, including a failed attempt by Highlands MSP Rhoda Grant in 2015 (I think). Now Ms Denham is giving it another go.

The Nordic Model isn't the only law model for prostitution, another is (complete) decriminalisation.

Decriminalisation of prostitution is used by NZ, parts of Australia and (this year) Belgium: https://www.brusselstimes.com/211351/his...e-sex-work

Decriminalisation of prostitution is supported by many human rights, health, anti-STD, anti-trafficking and sex worker orgs. This includes Amnesty Int. the World Health Org, UNAIDS, STOP AIDS (a network of UK agencies working together to combat HIV and AIDs globally), the English Collective of Prostitutes, Scot-Pep and Umbrella Lane.

Some of these are linked here:
https://stopaids.org.uk/
https://stopaids.org.uk/wp/wp-content/up...x-work.pdf
https://scot-pep.org.uk/
https://prostitutescollective.net/
https://www.umbrellalane.org/

More info on why decriminalisation is preferred over the Nordic Model (which Ms Denham is proposing for Scotland) here. A list of supporters are at the bottom of the letter: https://decrimnow.org.uk/open-letter-on-...dic-model/

With the Nordic Model, sexworkers are still criminalised for working together, they can be evicted (because it's illegal to rent to a sexworker) and can have their children taken off them (under the Nordic Model selling sex is seen as a form of "self-harm", look up the case of Petite Jasmine in Sweden).

In Nordic Model France, more than 10 sexworkers were murdered in a 6 month period: http://www.pion-norge.no/aktuelt/more-th...-6-months/

There is no evidence the Nordic Model reduces demand, the main argument given by supporters.

I recommend anyone with an interest in Scotland to write to your MSP about your concerns. If you are a sexworker mention this as it will give more strength to your argument. Also spread the word, if you know anyone who may be affected by the proposed law change let them know.