Premier: Free Church calls decriminalising prostitution in Scotland "a regressive step for society"

The Moderator of the Free Church of Scotland has described a bid by an independent Highlands MSP to decriminalise prostitution as "a regressive step for society".

 

A consultation by Jean Urquhart MSP on her proposed law reforms on prostitution closes today (Tuesday 8 December). 

 

The Free Kirk said it shared Ms Urquhart's compassionate concern to protect vulnerable sex workers from abuse but said it felt her suggested remedy of decriminalising the commercial sex trade would only "empower pimps and brothel owners and perpetuate the cycle of violence, coercion and subjugation".

 

Instead, the denomination suggested greater Scottish Government investment in programmes like SACRO's 'Another Way', which seeks to change lifestyles and long-term behaviour. 

 

Unlike Jean Urquhart, the Free Church believes that "any moral framework that would perpetuate the miseries of the sex trade regressive and harmful".