THE LOW number of men prosecuted for kerb crawling in Dundee has been hailed as proof a change in legislation is having an effect, a city politician says.
Labour MSP Jenny Marra was commenting on a Crown Office answer to a Courier Freedom of Information request on the number of men who were taken to court for trying to pick up and pay women for sex.
In 2011-12 a total of 16 men were taken to the city’s sheriff and justice of the peace courts for soliciting a prostitute for sex and loitering for the same purpose.
In the two cases which went to the sheriff court, one man was convicted and admonished and one had no further action taken.
In the 12 who went to the JP court, one was admonished, 10 were fined and one had no further action taken. Two further cases were dropped by the prosecution.
Kerb crawling was outlawed in Scotland in 2007 and anyone looking to pick up a prostitute is liable to a fine of up to £1,000.
Previously, the law criminalised those selling sex on the streets and largely ignored those who demanded their services.
Ms Marra welcomed the figures and said they boosted the bid by a Labour colleague for an all-out ban on prostitution a move being opposed for fears it could drive the sex trade underground.
She said: “The low numbers of prosecutions of men for soliciting the services of a prostitute shows that the law passed six years ago is having an effect.
“It could be an indication that less men are kerb crawling as it is now an offence to do so in a public place.
“This gives some encouragement to Rhoda Grant’s bill currently making its way through the Scottish Parliament, that proposes to make the purchase of sex a crime.”
Professionals, academics and community members have gathered in Dundee to look at the future of tackling prostitution in the city.
Hosted by Vice Versa, the event heard from Linda Thompson from the Women’s Support Project, plus project workers and women involved in prostitution, who are using the services to help change their lives.
Funding for the project has been secured from the Big Lottery Fund for the next five years to continue its work supporting women involved in street prostitution in Dundee.
Vice Versa is a collaboration between the Women’s Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre and Cair Scotland.
The centre offers free and confidential support and information for girls, young women and women who have been raped or sexually abused at any time in their life, including women who are involved in or at risk of involvement in prostitution.
Cair Scotland exists to promote healthy lifestyles and positive change by reducing risk-taking and associated harm.
Since it was established in 2009, Vice Versa staff have worked with women involved in street prostitution as a result of economic necessity or an existing drug problem.
The women are often homeless or in unstable housing, have few personal support networks or have histories of abuse.
Delegates at the event heard the experiences of some of the women, who wanted to remain anonymous.
However, they shared similar stories about getting involved in prostitution to fund their own or a partner’s drug use and then taking more drugs to block out what they are doing.
Women involved in prostitution face a number of problems on a day-to-day basis, including homelessness, domestic abuse, rape and sexual assault, poverty and social exclusion.
Many have been victims of serious crimes and need support to leave prostitution and build a new life.
aargo@thecourier.co.uk