Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/france-could-soon-punish-those-who-pay-for-sex Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter France could soon punish those who pay for sex Nation Nov 29, 2013 4:05 PM EST Under current law, prostitution is legal in France. Photo of French police by Flickr Creative Commons user Sean Ganann The French parliament is scheduled to vote Wednesday on a bill to impose heavy fines on those paying for sex, BBC reports. The ruling Socialist party with a parliamentary majority is expected the pass the bill. Under the proposed law, those caught paying for sex would be fined 1,500 euros or $2,030. Critics of the legislation say the sex industry would be driven underground, endangering the 40,000 prostitutes in France. Maud Olivier, a parliamentary member who presented the bill, argued the bill protects women. "To say women have the right to sell themselves is to disguise the fact that men have the right to buy them."she asked. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now
Under current law, prostitution is legal in France. Photo of French police by Flickr Creative Commons user Sean Ganann The French parliament is scheduled to vote Wednesday on a bill to impose heavy fines on those paying for sex, BBC reports. The ruling Socialist party with a parliamentary majority is expected the pass the bill. Under the proposed law, those caught paying for sex would be fined 1,500 euros or $2,030. Critics of the legislation say the sex industry would be driven underground, endangering the 40,000 prostitutes in France. Maud Olivier, a parliamentary member who presented the bill, argued the bill protects women. "To say women have the right to sell themselves is to disguise the fact that men have the right to buy them."she asked. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now