MSPs reject bid to include sex work review in human trafficking bill

MSPs yesterday rejected another bid to tackle demand for commercial sex through an amendment to the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Bill.

The government bill’s stage three debate took place in the Scottish Parliament yesterday.

Rhoda Grant MSP, who earlier failed to persuade MSPs to amend the bill at stage two to criminalise buyers of sex, proposed two amendments that would ensure government research into sex work encompasses a “gendered analysis of violence against women”.

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson announced in the stage two debate that the Scottish government would commission research on Scottish sex work laws in light of pressure from Ms Grant and church leaders.

Ms Grant said her amendments would “set it in a legislative framework” and also require Mr Matheson to put on record his response to that research.

The amendments were defeated 79-27.

Ms Grant had told MSPs: “The amendments are measured and in keeping with the Scottish government’s policy.

“Indeed, they take into account the progress that the Scottish government is making—albeit that it is turgidly slow—and take the government at its word in telling us that it understands that sexual exploitation, whether or not the victim is trafficked, is violence against women.”

However, Mr Matheson said: “I make it clear that the Scottish government very much respects the strongly held views of those who support criminalisation and of those who oppose it.

“Rhoda Grant and those who support criminalising the purchase of sexual services point to the research that has been undertaken to show that the Swedish or Nordic model is working to reduce the demand for sex and is preventing sexual exploitation and trafficking.

“However, those who oppose criminalising the purchase of sexual services point to other research that shows that the Nordic model is not working and that sex workers have become more vulnerable as a result of such criminalisation.

“Therefore, it is clear that there is a lack of consensus about the conclusions that may be drawn from existing international research and about the relevance of that research to the specific circumstances of prostitution here in Scotland.

“That is why I committed at stage 2 that the Scottish Government would commission research into the matter. I also confirmed that the findings of that research would be published in February 2016.”

Nadine Stott, co-chair of sex worker-led charity SCOT-PEP, said yesterday: “We let MSPs know our concerns with Ms Grant’s amendment, and we’re delighted that these concerns seem to have been taken on board - with even some Labour members declining to support their colleague’s ill-thought-out plans.

“Ms Grant was calling for more evidence on the Swedish model, but the evidence is already compelling: the Swedish model makes sex workers more vulnerable to violence and to HIV, as has been recognised by international experts like the World Health Organization and Human Rights Watch.”

Ms Stott added: “Most tellingly, Ms Grant’s amendment specified who she thought should be asked for their opinion on sex work law - and omitted sex workers.

“To deliberately omit sex workers from policy discussions about sex work demonstrates that Ms Grant’s intentions are not about prioritising the safety and rights of people who sell sex, and SCOT-PEP is relieved that MSPs rejected her proposals today.”