Independent MSP Ash Regan is pushing hard for her proposed legislation in Holyrood that would criminalize the purchase of sex, introducing fines up to £10,000 or jail time for convicted clients. Despite Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown raising "significant concerns," Regan insists a "consensus" can be found to pass the Bill before the next Scottish elections, arguing it is a "critical next step in shifting societal attitudes around male violence against women."
However, this stance is being condemned by sex work advocates who warn the approach—often called the Nordic Model—directly puts sex workers in greater danger. By criminalizing clients, sex workers are forced to rush transactions, operate in more isolated locations to avoid police attention, and rely on less safe vetting procedures. This directly increases their risk of violence and exploitation.
While Ms. Regan’s Bill proposes to repeal the offence of loitering and offer support for those leaving the industry, the central policy of criminalizing purchasers is widely opposed by workers themselves. They argue that criminalisation of any part of the transaction, save for exploitation by third parties, makes their already precarious work environment more lethal, hindering their ability to prioritize safety and self-determination.