Buying sex should be illegal, says Women's Minister Harman - News - Evening Standard
       

Buying sex should be illegal, says Women's Minister Harman

Illegal: Harriet Harman said the Government was looking at banning prostitution
Illegal: Harriet Harman said the Government was looking at banning prostitution
Paying women for sex should be outlawed, Harriet Harman said yesterday.

Her remarks put her at odds with the Government, which is considering relaxing the law to protect vice girls.

At present, it is illegal to solicit sex, or to kerb-crawl, but not illegal to pay a woman for sex.

Women's Minister Miss Harman, an avowed feminist, said a ban is needed to stem the demand for sex workers which encourages human trafficking.

She said Britain should follow Sweden, where paying for sex was criminalised in 1999.

"My own personal view is that's what we need to do as a next step," she told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

"Just because something has always gone on, it doesn't mean you just wring your hands and say there's nothing we can do about it."

Scroll down for more ...

Prostitution: Ministers believe the trade and its links to sex trafficking need to be tackled

Prostitution: Ministers believe the trade and its links to sex trafficking need to be tackled

In Sweden, men who flout the law face a fine of 40 days' salary, or a six-month jail term.

Street prostitution has reduced by up to 80 per cent, officials say.

But the Government's recent prostitution strategy suggested that allowing more than one woman to work from a brothel could improve their safety.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, who is responsible for the issue, said a review would begin early next year with a visit by ministers to Sweden.

Comments

Don't Miss
TV Baftas - in pictures

Best of the Baftas

Stars on the red, white and blue carpet
What makes Chelsea and Arsenal target Eden Hazard tick?

Hazard warning

What makes Chelsea and Arsenal target Eden Hazard tick?
You big softie: Has Giles Coren put down his poison pen?

You big softie

Has Giles Coren put down his poison pen?
Pop star Paloma Faith, former Labour minister and Tory blogger back gay marriage video

Gay marriage

Pop star, former Labour minister and Tory blogger back gay marriage video
Promethipedia: the lowdown on Ridley Scott's new blockbuster Prometheus

Promethipedia

The lowdown on Ridley Scott's new blockbuster Prometheus
Prints charming: patterned trousers for summer

Prints charming

Patterned trousers for summer
Bob Geldof on grandchildren, activism and the state of music

Grandpa Bob

Bob Geldof on grandchildren, activism and the state of music
The Middletan: Kate Middleton has the most requested tan in London

The Middletan

Kate Middleton has the most requested tan in London
Amy Childs bares all like Britney

Dare to bare

Amy Childs vajazzles like Britney
Trip the bright fantastic - in vertiginous neon

Fashion

Trip the bright fantastic - in vertiginous neon