Street Prostitution
The Prostitution (Public Places) (Scotland) Act 2007 came into force in October 2007, meaning anyone caught soliciting for the purpose of purchasing sex in a public place, or loitering for the same purpose, is committing a crime.
This new legislation was brought in to make Scotland's communities safer places to live and work. The presence of street prostitution in an area can have a serious impact on the community, increasing the public's fear of crime and making an area unpleasant and even dangerous to live and work in.
For a man purchasing the services of a prostitute, they get immediate gratification but few understand that engaging in this activity damages the lives of the women involved. Many of the women involved are being abused – by their partner or by their pimp. They are often forced into selling their bodies to fund their partner's and their own drug habit, they are often homeless, have mental health problems, have been sexually abused as a child or have experienced sexual violence whilst being involved in prostitution.
So the myth that women engage in prostitution through choice, because they ‘enjoy it' or like to make money from having sex is just that – a myth. The hundreds of women engaged in street prostitution in Scotland are in it because of the difficulties they experience trying to find a way out of it.
Last year the Scottish Government provided £1 million to support local authorities and their partners tackle kerb crawling and help more women find routes out of prostitution. These programmes are currently working with many women to help them kick their drug habits, escape abusive relationships, find a more permanent home and get them off the streets and into employment. Local authorities are positive that these programmes have a real impact in helping vulnerable women to escape prostitution and lead safer lives.
And what about the men who are caught? For a start they now face a £1,000 fine and a criminal record. Not a nice reminder to bring home to the family, friends or employers. If people close to you find out that you've been caught kerb-crawling, there's also the shame of facing them and the possibility of the family breaking down, or having to tell your partner how you've lost your job because you have a criminal record. Quite a lot to consider when you weigh it up..
Kerb crawl and you will get caught. And a fine isn't the only consequence you'll face.
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