Spanish region moves towards prostitution ban, recognizing women as victims of gender-based violence

The government of Valencia Autonomous Region of Spain proposed banning prostitution, arguing that it violates basic women’s rights.

The Valencian Ministry of Justice and Interior, led by socialist politician Gabriela Bravo, not only aims to end prostitution in Valencia, but hopes these measures will force the national government to take a stand against it.

Minister Bravo stated that prostitution is “not a problem of public order, but a violation of women’s human rights” and said, “We will give the signal when municipalities join. [central government]: If we are going to change the laws to end this stigma at the municipal and district level, the state also needs to take a step.” World reports.

“We will continue to ask the Spanish government for a comprehensive law to eliminate prostitution, but [Valencian officials] we will not wait for crossed arms,” he added.

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Valencia’s proposal is based on regulations approved by two municipalities in the region, which introduce a phased approach to prostitution.

The lowest level is advertising for prostitution; The request or negotiation of sexual services is more serious, and the most serious is when sexual services take place within 200 meters of schools, parks, sporting events or remote areas.

For clients of prostitutes, fines ranging from €500 to €3,000 (£425/520 to £2,551/$3,123) are used as penalties, depending on the severity of the violations. Prostitutes themselves are considered victims of gender-based violence.

“We will stop summaries and push for a comprehensive law that includes them as victims. [of] prostitution, human trafficking or exploitation… they have a right to benefits,” said Minister Bravo.

Part of the new law includes providing social and psychological assistance to sex trafficking victims, as well as funding to help women find new jobs and provide assistance to their communities.

According to this WorldAbout 10-13,000 prostitutes work in Valencia, 164 brothels and more than 52,000 prostitutes were found in online advertisements.

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Although prostitution is legal in many European Union countries such as Germany and Austria, other countries such as Sweden have long had anti-custom laws and are doing the same with the proposed Spanish law targeting prostitution buyers. themselves.

The so-called “Scandinavian model” has been criticized by groups like Human Rights Watch (HRW) who say they want to decriminalize prostitution altogether, arguing that the Scandinavian model has a devastating effect on people selling prostitution. One life. ” . Since its aim is to end sex work, it becomes more difficult for sex workers to find safe places to work, unionize, work together, support and protect each other, defend their rights, and even open a bank account for their jobs. ”

However, proponents of the Scandinavian model argue that there is clear evidence that both the legalization and decriminalization of prostitution boosts the sex trade and that a demand-driven approach reduces harm.

Sweden: Imams ‘marriage for pleasure’ of Muslims with prostitutes for money https://t.co/iRkzkr1kf2

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