17 DE MARÇO DE 2014

3

The motion at the origin of my report was based on the idea that yes, that is possible, because the

overwhelming majority of sex workers in Europe are victims of trafficking.

In the course of the preparation of this report, I came to the same conclusion: prostitution regulations have

an impact on trafficking. In particular, policies aiming at reducing prostitution may curb the demand for victims

of trafficking and therefore actually help reducing trafficking itself.

This is an important report: it is timely, because a large number of European countries are currently

discussing or will soon discuss legislation on this matter.

In France, the National Assembly has already approved a draft bill which is perfectly in line with the Swedish

approach. This is a good draft bill, because it does not only provide for sanctions for those who buy sexual

services. It also contains provisions aimed at helping those who wish to quit sex work. In addition, the large

majority which supported the draft bill in the French Parliament proved that the Nordic approach is acceptable

much further South, in countries with different cultural traditions. The text still has to be voted by the French

Senate.

Several other countries will discuss similar reforms soon.

Last week, the European Parliament voted a resolution which backs strongly the criminalization of the

purchase of sex services. That text considers prostitution from another angle, that of gender equality. Ours is

much more interested in trafficking. But these two perspectives may lead to the same conclusion, as the origins

of the Swedish legislation show.

As I wrote very clearly in the report, in my opinion voluntary prostitution is just a legend. It may apply to a

tiny minority of sex workers. But for the large majority of them, prostitution is the consequence of either a state

of extreme need, or of violence, especially in cases of trafficking.

Therefore, the measures that the Assembly in my opinion should indicate, which I listed in the draft

resolution, mainly focus on forced prostitution and on trafficking, which were from the beginning at the heart of

my work.

Prostitution is a complex issue presenting a variety of facets. It affects the health of people involved, it has

that should be taken into account; it affects the health of sex workers with consequences ranging from

increased exposure to sexually transmitted diseases to higher risks of drug and alcohol addiction, physical and

mental traumas, depression and other mental diseases. Prostitution is often linked to criminal activities such as

petty crime and drug dealing. In addition, criminal organisations controlling trafficking in human beings are often

involved in drug trafficking.

As concerns the indications contained in the draft resolution, I will mention two general things first:

— Research and data collection;

— Cooperation with the civil society.

Research is crucial: no effective policy can be designed or enforced unless there is better knowledge on

trafficking and prostitution in Europe. Who are the victims of trafficking? Where do they come from? For what

purposes are they trafficked? But also, how many people are in prostitution? Where do they practice sex work

and how? How many of them are victims of trafficking?

Research and data collection must be carried out at nation-wide level. I understand that some European

countries are federal, but at the end of the day the national authorities should not be found themselves in the

impossibility to take a decision because the figures from the various cantons or states are not comparable.

About civil society: it also has a crucial role and I had many opportunities to note that it acts effectively, on

the ground, close to the people directly involved. Public authorities must step up cooperation.

As for specific measures, the first thing that the Assembly should recommend is:

— consider criminalising the purchase of sex, based on the Swedish model, as the most effective tool for

preventing and combating trafficking in human beings;

— The main finding of my entire work is that criminalising the purchase of sex has actually had a positive

impact: it has reduced the demand for victims of trafficking for purposes of sexual exploitation significantly, and

therefore it has helped reducing trafficking itself. Other countries should go in the same direction.