MSPs urged to change sex work laws and 'put the not for sale sign out'

A former sex worker has told a Holyrood committee that Scotland needs to "put the not for sale sign out" and pass new laws on prostitution.

Diane Martin was giving evidence to the Criminal Justice Committee on Wednesday to support proposals put forward by Alba MSP Ash Regan which, if passed, could see those convicted of buying sex fined up to £10,000 or face jail. The Prostitution (Offences and Support) (Scotland) Bill aims to criminalise those buying sex, while decriminalising those selling it.

Ms Martin told the committee, which is scrutinising the bill, she had previously worked in London at "the supposed highest end of prostitution". However, she said: "It is no different if you are in a five-star hotel or in an alley." She urged the MSPs to back the proposal, telling them: "We think of ourselves as a progressive country, and we need to put the not for sale sign out." Another ex-sex worker, Amanda Jane Quick, said criminalising those buying sex would act as a "deterrent" and could therefore "reduce demand and reduce violence".

She recounted her experiences working both on the streets and in a brothel. Ms Quick said she was raped at the age of 18 by a client in a brothel, and also told how when she became pregnant and tried to leave, she was encouraged to stay as "men liked young pregnant women" and therefore would be able to make more money.

Ms Quick, who now campaigns for the introduction of the so-called Nordic model, where selling sex is decriminalised but its purchase is made a criminal act, said selling sex "can never be made safe". She told the committee such work "will always be underground, because the men and women who sell don't want anybody really to find out".

Ms Quick said prostitution "thrives on silence and thrives on violence.