Abolish prostitution and attack the clients? While a law to this effect was presented in May by the Spanish socialist government, but remains paralyzed, local authorities continue to take measures, the city of Leon being the last to have banned, in early August, sex work and apply fines to customers. Because the Spanish law does not decide on an authorization or prohibition and the legislature does not find an agreement on the future text.
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With our correspondent in Madrid, Francois Musseau
For years, political parties have failed to legislate in a country where prostitution is a major problem : there are between 45,000 and 150,000 women who sell sexual services, and according to the United Nations, 39% of adult men admit having paid for the services of a prostitute – which sadly places Spain among the first European countries in this domain.
Faced with the absence of any law, and since the Penal Code is indefinite as to whether prostitution is legal or illegal, local authorities are empowered to issue by-laws. Barcelona has been a pioneer since the 2000s, providing fines for both people who offer their services and customers. In the last decade, cities like Seville, Bilbao, Albacete, and more recently Leonalso followed suit.
All these municipalities have set the same ceiling of 3,000 euros. Most of them apply this municipal rule only if prostitution takes place near residential areas, health centers or schools.
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