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Response of the Baptist Union of Scotland to:
“Being Outside: Constructing a Response to Street Prostitution”
Chapter 6
The general thrust of the Process of Responding to Street Prostitution is to be commended , as it seeks to address the existing situation. We would support constructive measures that combat “deep rooted social attitudes, such as an assumption of the legitimacy of sexual relationships based on power and abuse”. It can do no harm to have a National Strategy framework for dealing with the problem of Street Prostitution and to have this to guide local authorities as they grapple with the problem in their areas. However, we recognise that the problems and issues vary considerably in different parts of Scotland and we believe that local bodies (including councils, health, police and the voluntary sector) should have considerable freedom to decide the best strategies for their areas. Less clear is the need for a National Forum. The Consultation Document leaves this body without any clear definition ,other than a function to take up a monitoring role.
Chapter 7
The Preventative Measure suggested seem excellent in themselves. The difficulty will lie in their effective implementation.
Chapter 8
As with the Preventative Measures, the suggested approach towards Early Intervention is very constructive. We would underline, however, the recognition that effectiveness in this area will depend on appropriate service networking. There is no clear indication in the Document as to how this is to be achieved.
Chapter 9
We would commend the suggestion of appointing a nominated case-worker to help a woman who is using the various “help services” and who can guide her through them all. We would suggest, however, that there should be some reference in the guide-lines to the input in Harm Reduction which can come from Faith Groups such as the Christian Church, of which we are a part. Such groups are often very much involved in bringing help to women caught up in prostitution and are able to meet a religious and spiritual need that is out with the scope of the other Services to address.
Chapter 10
It is clear that amongst the tasks to be undertaken in helping women to exit from street prostitution, the development of an alternative way of life is important. As in the comment on Chapter 9, we would draw attention to the fact that exiting may have a strong religious or spiritual motivation to it and may need the specific involvement of a faith Group, such as the Christian Church.
Chapter 11
As noted earlier, the Consultation Document acknowledges the unacceptable social attitude which accepts “the legitimacy of sexual relationships based on power and abuse” (6.2) This is a moral assumption and if society sees this as morally unacceptable socially, there is surely every right for this to be reflected in the laws that govern society. We would therefore not be so timid as the Consultation Document writers in trying to remove any social moral judgement on prostitution which constitutes an abuse on the dignity and worth of women. In particular , we feel that there needs to be the provision of legal sanctions within criminal law against the “purchaser” in acts of prostitution . In adopting a strong stance against prostitution , we do not see that it need act contrary to the Preventative, Early Intervention, Reduction of Harm and Exiting strategies that the Consultation Document has already outlined. For this reason, we do not warm to any of the three options put forward. If pushed and the Law is changed, then the nearest to our position would be Option 3.
General Comment
While we feel that there needs to be the application of the Law to the practice of prostitution, we would support wholeheartedly every effort that is made to bring help to women caught up in it, without stigmatising them as people or citizens. We recognise that it is the resolution of the underlying social and personal causes of prostitution, as well as the transformation of, in the main, male attitudes towards it, that will act against it and not just the sanctions of the Law alone.
We are not in favour of setting up official Management Areas or Zones of Tolerance. On the other hand, a close working together of all Services (including the Police) involved with women caught up in prostitution, should allow local authorities to deal sensitively and constructively with the women.
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