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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| UK 'should outlaw paying for sex' | UK 'should outlaw paying for sex' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Commons Leader Harriet Harman has told the BBC she wants the law to be changed to make it illegal to pay for sex. | Commons Leader Harriet Harman has told the BBC she wants the law to be changed to make it illegal to pay for sex. |
| She said ministers were to look at how Sweden brought in such a law, and said a "big debate" was needed in the UK. | She said ministers were to look at how Sweden brought in such a law, and said a "big debate" was needed in the UK. |
| It would counter international human trafficking which sees girls bought and sold by criminals in the UK, she added. | It would counter international human trafficking which sees girls bought and sold by criminals in the UK, she added. |
| Buying or selling sex is legal, but some activities related to prostitution are not, kerb calling, brothel keeping, pimping, and loitering or soliciting. | |
| Ms Harman added: "Just because something has always gone on, doesn't mean you just wring your hands and say, 'Oh well there's nothing we can do about it'." | |
| Do we think it's right in the 21st Century that women should be in a sex trade or do we think it's exploitation and should be banned Harriet HarmanCommons leader How it works in Sweden | Do we think it's right in the 21st Century that women should be in a sex trade or do we think it's exploitation and should be banned Harriet HarmanCommons leader How it works in Sweden |
| She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We do need to have a debate and unless you tackle the demand side of human trafficking which is fuelling this trade, we will not be able to protect women from it. | She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We do need to have a debate and unless you tackle the demand side of human trafficking which is fuelling this trade, we will not be able to protect women from it. |
| "That is what they've done in Sweden. My own personal view is that's what we need to do as a next step." | "That is what they've done in Sweden. My own personal view is that's what we need to do as a next step." |
| She said that Home Office minister Vernon Coaker and women's minister Barbara Follett would visit Sweden and Amsterdam in January. | She said that Home Office minister Vernon Coaker and women's minister Barbara Follett would visit Sweden and Amsterdam in January. |
| Ms Harman, who is also deputy Labour leader and equality secretary, said she wanted a "very big debate" on the issue involving groups such as the Women's Institute, community organisations, Church and other faith groups. | Ms Harman, who is also deputy Labour leader and equality secretary, said she wanted a "very big debate" on the issue involving groups such as the Women's Institute, community organisations, Church and other faith groups. |
| This should look at whether "we think it's right in the 21st Century that women should be in a sex trade or do we think it's exploitation and should be banned". | This should look at whether "we think it's right in the 21st Century that women should be in a sex trade or do we think it's exploitation and should be banned". |
| Newspaper ads | Newspaper ads |
| Ms Harman said action needed to be taken to tackle the demand side of international human trafficking, which had led to "teenage girls being bought and sold by criminal gangs in car parks in this country". | Ms Harman said action needed to be taken to tackle the demand side of international human trafficking, which had led to "teenage girls being bought and sold by criminal gangs in car parks in this country". |
| She was speaking after talks with newspapers over small advertisements offering services at brothels believed to be linked to human trafficking. | She was speaking after talks with newspapers over small advertisements offering services at brothels believed to be linked to human trafficking. |
| Ms Harman said there was to be new guidance from the Newspaper Society next month that would address the issue. | Ms Harman said there was to be new guidance from the Newspaper Society next month that would address the issue. |
| "The new guidance will stop those ads. But the next question is - can we really stop this trade when we've still got a lawful sex trade going on?" | "The new guidance will stop those ads. But the next question is - can we really stop this trade when we've still got a lawful sex trade going on?" |