WIREDGOV

Tackling demand for prostitution - the Dutch model

HOME OFFICE News Release (117-08) issued by The Government News Network on 20 June 2008

The Dutch approach to prostitution was observed today by Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker during a visit to the Netherlands, as part of the Government's review into tackling the demand for prostitution.

The Government's six-month review began in January with a visit to Sweden to explore the impact of legislation which criminalises the purchase or attempted purchase of sex and decriminalises its sale. The Netherlands takes a different approach and currently has a licensing scheme for brothels, meaning the organisation of prostitution by consenting adults is not a criminal offence.

Ministers, including the Solicitor General Vera Baird and the Deputy Minister for Women and Equality Barbara Follett, used the visit to look at the impact of the Dutch Government's legislation and the effect this has had in terms of the size and nature of the market. The visit will also be used to find out more about the current debate in the Netherlands about whether they should be doing more to tackle demand.

Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said:

"We recognise that there may be more we can do to challenge the demand for prostitution and we are looking at how to strengthen our approach.

"Today's visit to the Netherlands gives us an opportunity to look at the challenges they have faced, the pros and cons associated with a regulated commercial sex industry and the work they are currently undertaking to reduce exploitation and harm, including trafficking.

"We have already made considerable progress in terms of shining the light on those who pay for sex, particularly in relation to on-street prostitution. We are now looking at how the problem is being tackled internationally to see what lessons we can all learn from each other."

Solicitor General Vera Baird said:

"In the course of this review we have seen amongst our European and world neighbours very different solutions to the same problem. We are starting to develop more fully our ideas as to what can work effectively for us.

"We need to tackle demand or we will be abandoning those whose vulnerabilities are used to trap them in to the sex industry to lives of misery".

Deputy Minister for Women and Equalities Barbara Follett said:

"Men who pay for sex fuel the evil trade of sex trafficking. We support and protect victims, as well as catch and prosecute traffickers; but now we must step up our efforts to tackle the demand side.

"By visiting other countries, such as Sweden and the Netherlands, we can learn from how they are responding to this growing international problem, and make sure that we are doing all we possibly can to stop this vile trade."

During the visit, Ministers met:

* The Minister for Justice;
* The Deputy Mayor of Amsterdam and officials from the Local Government;
* The National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Human Beings;
* The National Prosecutor on Human Trafficking;
* Amsterdam Police;
* Representatives from Scharlaken Koord - a support service working with those involved in prostitution; and
* Representatives from the National Crime Squad and the Human Trafficking Expertise Centre.

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. The Government undertook a comprehensive review of the legal framework in relation to prostitution as part of the Paying the Price consultation in 2004. The results of the consultation contributed to the development of the Government's Coordinated Prostitution Strategy which was published in January 2006:
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/cons-paying-the-price/

2. The Netherlands introduced a licensing scheme for brothels in October 2000. The key objectives of the system are to:

* Have better ways and means to control and regulate the running of (legal) prostitution businesses;
* Improve the fight against the organisation of involuntary prostitution (exploitation); and
* Protect minors from commercial sexual abuse.

3. Local municipalities are required to draw up their own bylaws setting out how brothels can operate. These licensing schemes determine the size and location of brothels, the provision of basic services and the protection of workers' physical and mental integrity. Brothels are not allowed to employ anyone under the age of 18 or those without a valid permit. More information on the Dutch model can be found at: http://english.justitie.nl/currenttopics/pressreleases/archives-2008/full-licensing-required-for-prostitution-services.aspx

4. The Government's six month review into tackling the demand for prostitution is expected to conclude in July. It has:

* Looked at the experiences of other jurisdictions - not only Sweden and the Netherlands, but countries that have adopted other models such as New Zealand, Germany and Finland;
* Commissioned a rapid assessment of research available on sex buyers, to ensure this can feed into the review process;
* Undertaken an audit of enforcement and prosecution practice in England and Wales to learn from good practice and ensure that a consistent approach is being taken to this issue across the country;
* Run a pilot marketing campaign, focussed at sex buyers to increase their awareness of trafficking for sexual exploitation; and
* Consulted with key stakeholders and practitioners, including the police, CPS and those supporting individuals involved in prostitution.