Prostitution in Europe
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The legality of Prostitution in Europe varies by country.
[edit] Prostitution in Austria
This is an example of regulated prostitution. Prostitution is legal but restricted by several regulations.
[edit] Prostitution in Belgium
Prostitution is legal in Belgium, but the exploitation of an individual through things such as pimping is against the law. Human trafficking or exploiting individuals for financial gain is punishable for a maximum prison sentence of 15 years.[1]
[edit] Debate
There has been increasing public pressure for a debate about the possibility of legalizing prostitution. Many sex workers organisations feel that not legalising prostitution leaves sex workers vulnerable to exploitation.[2][3]
[edit] Prostitution in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Prostitution in Bosnia and Herzegovina is illegal and many teenagers and women are exploited and sometimes forced to in bars and clubs for foreign men.[4][5][6]
[edit] Prostitution in Cyprus
Cyprus has been criticized by the US State Department [7] for failing to control the follow of illegal immigrants and legal to be involved in forced prostitution. Cyprus has gained a reputation for being a major transit point for people smugglers to transport women for the purposes of prostitution. International observers have criticized the government for its lack of action to prevent forced prostitution. The law of Cyprus forbids forced (but not voluntary) prostitution. However, its believed that many immigrants are hired as bar maids and coerced into prostitution by this method.[8]
[edit] Prostitution in the Czech Republic
Ever since the Czechoslovakian Velvet Revolution (1989) led to the creation of the two independent states Czech Republic and Slovakia, prostitution has been flourishing, and has contributed its share to the region's booming tourist economy. It is widespread in Prague and areas near the Republic's western borders with Germany and Austria. In 2002, the Czech Statistical Bureau estimated the trade to be worth six billion crowns ($217 million) a year.[9] Current estimates indicate there are 10,000 to 25,000 prostitutes in the country. In Prague, the city's third district (Praha 3), immediately east of the center, is home to much of the city's sex industry. As of January, 2008, prostitutes could be found in the local Czech classifieds newspapers for approximately 1,000 crowns per hour.
[edit] Prostitution in Denmark
Prostitution in Denmark is legal, and has been since changes in the penal codes the 17th of March, 1999, but practically had been legal for a long time prior to the changes to the penal code. However, prostitution is not a recognized field of work, and as such is not protected under the workers protection laws, unemployment benefits etc.[10]
The age of consent in Denmark is 15 years, however, prostitution is 18 years, and sex with a person below 18 years of age as an act of prostitution is a serious offense.[11][12]
The traditional center for prostitution in Copenhagen is the district behind the Copenhagen Central Rail Station beyond Reventlowsgade, but in recent years the number of streetwalkers and sexually oriented businesses in this area has declined. Like many other European cities, many prostitutes now use internet based ads for incall and outcall services.
[edit] Prostitution in Estonia
Prostitution is not illegal in Estonia but inducing or forced prostitution is.[13][14]
[edit] Prostitution in Finland
Prostitution is legal in Finland except in public places. Pimping is illegal. In June 2006, parliament voted by 158 to 15 with four abstentions to approve a bill which outlaws the buying of sexual services from prostitutes if it is linked to human trafficking.[15]
[edit] Prostitution in France
Prostitution is legal in France but many activities surrounding it are not.
[edit] Prostitution in Georgia
Prostitution is illegal in Georgia and widespread especially in the capital of Tbilisi. Many NGO's attribute this to the harsh economic conditions according to the US State Department.[16][17] Many women from Georgia are of Human Trafficking operations to or from countries. Women who are forced to be prostitutes are in Georgia are often from Asia and neighboring European countries.
In 2006 the country incorporated into its domestic law the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, and the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings.[18] The punishment for human trafficking in Georgia is 15 years. There is also a special law to protect families of Georgian women who fear reprisals from gang masters of women who refuse to forced into prostitution abroad.
[edit] Prostitution in Germany
Prostitution is legal in Germany. In 2002, the government changed the law in an effort to improve the legal situation of prostitutes. However, the social stigmatization of prostitutes persists, forcing most prostitutes to lead a double life. Authorities consider the common exploitation of women from Eastern Europe to be the main problem associated with the occupation.
[edit] Prostitution in Greece
Prostitution is now legal in Greece. Greek authorities decided to implement a 1999 law which stipulates that all brothels must have permits. Prostitutes must undergo regular health checks and pay social security.[19][20] Street prostitution is dominated by Albanian refugees and immigrants.[21]
[edit] Prostitution in Hungary
Prostitution is legal in Hungary and has been legalized and regulated by the government since 1999. Under the law, prostitutes are basically professionals who engage in sexual activities in exchange for money. The government allows this activity as long as they pay taxes and keep legal documents.
[edit] Prostitution in Iceland
Prostitution became legal in Iceland after a new provision in the Penal Code was accepted by parliament on March 17. It is both legal to solicit sex and to buy sexual services, but it is illegal for a third party to profit from prostitution
[edit] Prostitution in Ireland
Prostitution itself is not illegal in the Republic of Ireland, but the law criminalises many activities associated with it. Female escort prostitution is widespread in Irish cities.
[edit] Prostitution in Kazakhstan
Prostitution in Kazakhstan is not illegal, forced prostitution, prostitution connected to organized crime, and acts facilitating prostitution, such as operating a brothel or prostitution ring, are illegal.
Prostitution is a serious problem. NGOs reported that criminal prostitution rings often included local law enforcement officials.[22][23]
[edit] Prostitution in Latvia
Prostitution is legal in Latvia, prostitutes are required to take monthly health checks. It is a popular destination for sex tourism.[24][25][26]
[edit] Prostitution in Liechtenstein
Prostitution in Liechtenstein is illegal but is tolerated by the police as long as it is not street prostitution.[27][28][29]
[edit] Prostitution in Luxembourg
Prostitution is legal in Luxembourg but pimping and people trafficking incur severe penalties. [30] [31]
[edit] Prostitution in the Netherlands
Prostitution is legal in the Netherlands and common. A majority of the women working in prostitution are foreigners, and the country is fighting against human trafficking.
[edit] Prostitution in Norway
Prostitution is legal in Norway, although there are plans to criminalize it because street prostitution has become an increasing problem.[32]
[edit] Prostitution in Portugal
Prostitution in Portugal is not covered by a specific law, and it is tolerated on an individually-organized basis. Several other prostitution-related activities are outlawed in Portugal, and widely disapproved, like human trafficking, whoremongering, pimping and prostitution of children. By the mid-2000s, the number of female prostitutes was estimated at 28,000, at least 50% were foreigners.[33][34]
[edit] Prostitution in Romania
Prostitution is illegal in Romania[35][36] but the government is considering to legalise and regulate it, in an attempt to combat human trafficking. This has been met with criticism from the Orthodox Church.[37]
[edit] Prostitution in Russia
Prostitution is illegal in Russia, but is not a serious crime. The maximum punishment is a fine up to 2000 rub; however, organizing prostitution is punishable by a prison term.
[edit] Prostitution in Spain
Prostitution in Spain is in a legal limbo although its not illegal, owning or running brothels has been illegal since 1956. The pimps and owners of brothels are punished. Many massage parlors operate as whiskerías or 'clubs' and are tolerated.[38][39]
[edit] Prostitution in Sweden
Prostitution in Sweden is technically illegal, since it is a crime to purchase the service. Sweden considers prostitution a form of violence against women so the crime does not lie in the prostitute selling sexual services, but in the customer's buying of such services.[40]
In 1907 prostitution was legalized;[41] in 1999 the act of buying the service was criminalized.[42]
[edit] Prostitution in Switzerland
Prostitution in Switzerland is regulated. It is legal to advertise for "massages" in Swiss tabloid newspapers, although there are also streetwalkers in red light districts.[43] Pimping is however illegal. Licensed brothels, typically with a reception and leading to several studio apartments, are available. However, most prostitutes choose to operate independently, using newspaper advertisements, mobile phones and secondary rented apartments. Swiss prostitutes pay VAT (Value added tax) on their services and some accept credit cards. The majority of prostitutes are foreigners from Latin America, Eastern Europe or the Far East.
[edit] Prostitution in Turkey
It is legally permitted to be a prostitute in Turkey but both men and woman need to be registered and acquire an ID card stating the dates of his or her health checks. Also it is mandatory for prostitutes to have regular health checks for sexually transmitted diseases. The police are allowed to check the authenticity of registered prostitutes to determine whether they have been examined properly and to ensure they see the health authorities if they don't.[44][45]
[edit] Prostitution in Ukraine
Prostitution is illegal in Ukraine, but widespread and largely ignored by the government. Sex tourism rose as the country attracted greater numbers of foreign tourists. Laws criminalizing organized prostitution and penalties for human trafficking have had little effect because many convicted traffickers often do not end up serving prison time.
[edit] Prostitution in the United Kingdom
Prostitution in the United Kingdom is not formally illegal, but several activities surrounding it are outlawed.
[edit] References
- ^ Belgium. Retrieved on 2008-05-26.
- ^ Life In Belgium. Retrieved on 2008-05-26.
- ^ Making Sex Pay. Retrieved on 2008-05-26.
- ^ UN Cracks down on Bosnia Prostitution. Retrieved on 2008-05-26.
- ^ Boys will be boys. Retrieved on 2008-05-26.
- ^ NATO force 'Feeds Kosovo Sex Trade'. Retrieved on 2008-05-26.
- ^ Cyprus's Struggle with the Sex Trade. Retrieved on 2008-05-26.
- ^ Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Cyprus
- ^ SVU (April 05, 2002). Prostitution in the Czech Republic. Retrieved on 2006-10-04.
- ^ Prostitution Policies Around the World - Prostitution ProCon.org
- ^ http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2002/18362.htm;
- ^ http://www.interpol.int/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLaws/csaDenmark.asp;
- ^ Estonia
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
- ^ Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Georgia
- ^ Sexual Offences Laws - Georgia
- ^ Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Georgia
- ^ Greece
- ^ [3]
- ^ CNN - Albanians muscling in on Greek prostitutes - July 4, 1997
- ^ [4]
- ^ Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Kazakhstan
- ^ BBC NEWS | Programmes | Crossing Continents | Latvia prepares for a tourist invasion
- ^ Sexual Offences Laws - Latvia
- ^ Latvia
- ^ Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Liechtenstein
- ^ [5]
- ^ http://www.interpol.int/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLaws/csaLiechtenstein.pdf
- ^ http://www.europarl.europa.eu/hearings/20040119/femm/document1_en.pdf
- ^ Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Luxembourg
- ^ [6][7]
- ^ (Portuguese) João Saramago, Estrangeiras dominam prazer, Correio da Manhã (17th March 2005)
- ^ Sex work and Sexual Exploitation in the European Union - The Situation in Portugal
- ^ Country Reports on Human Rights Practices (English). U.S. Department of State (2003). Retrieved on 2008-02-09.
- ^ Romania (.doc) (English). Project Protection. Retrieved on 2008-02-09.
- ^ Romania minister plans to legalise prostitution (English). Reuters UK (2007). Retrieved on 2008-02-09.
- ^ Spain
- ^ Madrid red-light district to chase away prostitution, drugs - MSN Malaysia News - News
- ^ Casciani, Dominic. "Prostitution: International answers", BBC News, 2004-07-16. Retrieved on 2007-06-19.
- ^ Walla, Claire. "Career Women, Outcasts or Criminals?", City on a Hill Press, 2007-02-22. Retrieved on 2007-06-19.
- ^ "Sweden's prostitutes ply their trade on the Net", The Age, 2003-01-16. Retrieved on 2007-06-19.
- ^ Switzerland
- ^ Turkey
- ^ Turkey's sex trade entraps Slavic women - International Herald Tribune
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