Women’s Platform for Action International (WoPAI) has written to Members of the Scottish Parliament ahead of the vote on prostitution legislation on 3 February, urging them to support the proposed Bill adopting an Equality (Nordic) Model approach.
This vote represents a critical moment for Scotland: whether to confront one of the most entrenched forms of male violence against women, or to continue tolerating a system that enables the sexual exploitation of women—particularly those who are poor, marginalised, racialised, and otherwise vulnerable.
The proposed legislation reflects what survivors of prostitution and sex trafficking have long called for:
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Decriminalisation of people in prostitution, who are overwhelmingly women
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Meaningful exit pathways and support
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Accountability for those who buy sexual access and profit from exploitation
As WoPAI emphasised in its letter, the Equality Model is a progressive, evidence-based, and survivor-centred approach, firmly grounded in women’s lived realities and international human rights obligations.
Survivors themselves have been unequivocal. As WoPAI Board Member and survivor of prostitution and sex trafficking Blessing Okoedion states:
“The Equality model on prostitution supports the exploited and punishes the exploiters. It is the only legal model that any democratic society can adopt if they truly believe in human rights. The Unbuyable Bill is Scotland’s real chance to get the law right.”
Claims that criminalising buyers increases violence or “drives prostitution underground” are not supported by evidence. These arguments have repeatedly been advanced by vested interests seeking to preserve the commercial sex industry and have consistently failed under scrutiny.
Most recently, the European Court of Human Rights confirmed that France’s adoption of the Equality Model does not violate the European Convention on Human Rights, explicitly rejecting claims that criminalising buyers endangers women in prostitution. The Court affirmed states’ legitimate aim—and obligation—to combat exploitation and violence against women.
Countries such as Sweden and France demonstrate that it is possible to reduce prostitution, challenge male sexual entitlement, and advance women’s rights through law and policy.
Scotland rightly presents itself as a nation committed to equality. That commitment cannot coexist with a legal framework that allows men to buy sexual access to women with impunity. On 3 February, Members of the Scottish Parliament have the opportunity to stand with women, survivors, and equality. WoPAI urges them to vote in favour of the Bill.
WATCH ON YOUTUBE: “A Call to Scotland: Survivors Speak Up”
