Offbeat | French lawmakers vote on punishing prostitutes’ clients

France’s lower house of parliament holds a final vote this week on a bill against prostitution and sex trafficking that bans buying sex, not selling it. Customers would face fines and be required to attend classes on the harms of prostitution.
The bill is likely to be adopted since the National Assembly, which has the final say, is in favor of the proposal.
Prostitution is currently legal in France. The measure would do away with a 2003 law that bans passive soliciting by prostitutes on the street. Brothels, pimping and the sale of sex by minors is also illegal.
The bill would introduce a 1,500-euro (USD1,700) fine, rising to 3,750 euros for a second offense. The convicted client would be forced to attend classes highlighting the harms of prostitution. The measure would also make it easier for foreign prostitutes — many currently illegally in France — to acquire a temporary residence permit if they enter a process to get out of the prostitution business.
Supporters of the bill argue that it would help fight trafficking networks.
Opponents fear that cracking down will push prostitutes to hide and they would be even more at the mercy of pimps and violent clients.
If adopted, the bill would make French law one of the toughest against sex buyers in Europe.