Prostitution Tolerance Zones (Scotland) Bill

# Prostitution Tolerance Zones (Scotland) Bill Sexual exploitation and violence against sex workers remain significant problems in Scotland, with those engaged in street prostitution facing particular risks of harm. Current Scottish law criminalises various aspects of prostitution, including soliciting and brothel-keeping, which drives the activity underground and makes it harder for authorities to protect vulnerable individuals or gather intelligence on exploitation and trafficking. This bill was introduced to create a new legal framework that would allow designated areas where sex work could operate with greater safety and regulatory oversight, addressing concerns that criminalisation pushes the industry into hidden spaces where exploitation flourishes. The bill proposes to establish prostitution tolerance zones—designated geographical areas where sex work could take place without criminal penalties for those engaged in it. Within these zones, local authorities would have powers to establish regulations governing the activity, with the aim of improving safety, health provision, and access to support services for sex workers. The legislation would also introduce complementary measures to tackle exploitation and trafficking while decriminalising consensual adult sex work in designated areas. This member's bill represented an alternative approach to Scotland's current prohibitive framework, though its progress through Parliament and ultimate outcome would depend on broader political debate about how best to balance the protection of vulnerable people with the practicalities of law enforcement and public health.

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