Prostitution in France made legal under new laws, but paying for it ruled illegal. France has introduced new prostitution laws, making soliciting sex legal, but activities around it such as brothels and pimping have been made illegal. Supporters said the legislation would make it easier to crackdown on sex trafficking, but prostitutes said it would leave them in limbo. The changes have been met by rallies, with some people calling for the abolition of prostitution all together, and others demanding the laws be scaled back.
People who want to pay for sex could now cop a 1, Euro fine, which increases if they are found re-offending. Those prosecuted would also have to attend education classes, about the harms of the sex trade. The French Government estimates 90 per cent of the country's 20, to 40, sex workers are victims of Nigerian, Chinese and Romanian sex trafficking networks.
MP Guy Geoffroy, member of the conservative party Les Republicans, said from now on the onus would be on the clients. We won't be able to declare anymore what we earn, we won't be able to pay our social taxes nor our bills. Some prostitution supporter groups said the new legislation would provide sex workers with greater powers, and help to encourage the reporting of crimes against them.
Claire Quidet, a sex worker supporter, said prostitutes will benefit from the overhaul. Elisabeth Lansey, from Friends of the Bus for Women, said she and others fear sex workers will be forced into underground operations.
One sex worker, Orlena, said she and her fellow sex workers feared for their future. As part of the new measures, the French Government will also set up a program to help prostitutes leave the industry.
