The Catholic Church in Scotland has expressed support for Ash Regan’s 'Unbuyable' Bill.
The Prostitution (Offences and Support) (Scotland) Bill, which would criminalise the buying of sex and repeal offences related to solicitation, is to be debated in Holyrood next week.
On Wednesday, the Bishops Conference of Scotland said that they had written to First Minister John Swinney and urged him to back the proposals.
The letter read in part: “[The Bill] is a vital step toward protecting some of the most vulnerable individuals in our society and addressing the systemic harms associated with prostitution in Scotland.”
The Bishops Conference, which leads Scotland’s estimated 723,000 Catholics, said the proposals were “compelling and necessary”.
“The Bishops’ Conference supports the Bill’s adoption of a “challenging demand” model, shifting criminal responsibility away from individuals exploited through prostitution—overwhelmingly women and girls—and onto the buyers who fuel the commercial sex market,” a statement read.
“[We] urge the Scottish Government to show leadership by backing the Bill, underscoring its potential to protect vulnerable women and girls, prevent trafficking, and advance equality.
The statement continued: "Many affected individuals have experienced childhood abuse, care experience, grooming, and trauma, with young people—particularly those leaving care—at high risk of exploitation. Technology has intensified these risks, expanding opportunities for manipulation.
"We also emphasise the Bill’s relevance to combatting human trafficking for sexual exploitation, a significant and documented issue in Scotland.
"International evidence links reductions in trafficking to demand-reduction legislation."
In November, a group of Christian charities also expressed support for Regan's Bill.
Restore Glasgow, CARE for Scotland and the Evangelical Alliance said that the proposals are "one of the most effective ways for our country to fight against human trafficking".
Wednesday's news comes several days after it was revealed that Holyrood’s Criminal Justice Committee is deadlocked on the Bill; with four MSPs in favour and four against.
Scottish Labour’s Katy Clark and Pauline McNeill, and the Conservative’s Sharon Dowey and Liam Kerr backed the legislation moving to the next stage.
However, convener Audrey Nicoll, Fulton McGregor, Rona Mackay and Jamie Hepburn, all of the SNP, opposed the legislation.
A report issued by the Committee read: “The challenge we have faced is that much of the evidence in this policy area is highly contested.
“Those on both sides of the debate about criminalisation of the buyer have pointed to studies and research which they say supports their respective positions. Different lessons have been drawn from the experience overseas.
“All this has made our job much more difficult. We are left in a situation where the evidence as to the anticipated impact of section one is not definitive and is highly contested.”
A briefing document sent to MSPs by Scotland for Decrim, who oppose the Bill, claimed that the criminalisation of sex buying could lead to health risks for sex workers.
They say that criminalising the purchase of sexual services could result in rushed transactions, reduced condom negotiation and greater fear of engaging with the health service.
“The proposed changes will not reduce exploitation or prevent violence, instead both will increase as sex workers are forced into unsafe working environments with less agency to manage risks and seek services and support,” the briefing reads.
"Legislation that seeks to criminalise any facet of consensual sex work – whether imposed on clients or on sex workers – will increase the risk of HIV transmission."
Read more:
- 'This bill cannot wait': MSPs urged to criminalise sex buyers through Unbuyable bill
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Speaking ahead of the Scottish Parliament's first vote on the Bill, due to be taken on February 3, Regan has urged MSPs to back the proposals.
Responding to criticism, the independent MSP, who quit the Alba Party in October to focus her attention on the Bill, remarked: “Sweden pioneered the Nordic Model 26 years ago and has continued to see multiple benefits, from zero homicides in prostitution to improved access to healthcare, support services, and justice.
“Sweden’s learnings inspired my Unbuyable Bill’s approach to tackle the sexual exploitation of prostitution that survivors in Scotland and across the world have been telling legislators and policymakers for decades.”
