France has introduced new prostitution laws, making soliciting sex legal, but activities around it such as brothels and pimping have been made illegal.
Key points: Supporters say legislation will make it easier to crackdown on sex trafficking Sex workers say it will force them into underground operations Fears laws will allow customers to impose their choices, including unprotected sex Supporters said the legislation would make it easier to crackdown on sex trafficking, but prostitutes said it would leave them in limbo.
The changes have been met by rallies, with some people calling for the abolition of prostitution all together, and others demanding the laws be scaled back. People who want to pay for sex could now cop a 1, Euro fine, which increases if they are found re-offending. Those prosecuted would also have to attend education classes, about the harms of the sex trade.
Why are the laws changing? The French Government estimates 90 per cent of the country's 20, to 40, sex workers are victims of Nigerian, Chinese and Romanian sex trafficking networks. MP Guy Geoffroy, member of the conservative party Les Republicans, said from now on the onus would be on the clients.
We won't be able to declare anymore what we earn, we won't be able to pay our social taxes nor our bills.
