At 17, Alice (name changed) lost her job and, facing limited options and a difficult home life, turned to sex work. Now in her 30s, she remains in the industry—balancing it with other jobs—but fears a new law could put her in greater danger.
Alba MSP Ash Regan has introduced a bill to criminalise paying for sex in Scotland, following the Nordic Model, which targets buyers rather than sellers. Regan argues that prostitution is a form of male violence and wants to reduce demand while offering support and exit routes for sex workers.
But Alice, like many in the industry, disagrees. She says criminalising clients will drive the trade underground, making it harder to screen and verify those she meets. Without “good clients,” she fears only dangerous individuals will remain. “My body would become a crime scene,” she says, expressing little faith in police protection.
Regan cites Sweden’s model—claiming it has reduced harm—while criticising Germany’s decriminalised approach, where more sex workers have been murdered. She insists Scotland must shift the focus of criminality to buyers to reduce exploitation.
Opponents, including active sex workers, argue the bill may further stigmatise and isolate them. A similar law in Northern Ireland showed little impact on demand and left many sex workers feeling more marginalised.
With elections looming in 2026, the bill’s future remains uncertain. The debate continues to divide opinion across Scotland.
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