The united effort to affirm prostitution as a form of commercial sexual exploitation is reinforced by the ‘challenging demand approach’ which criminalises solely the buyer of sex rather than those who are selling or exchanging sex, which in the main, are women. 

Organisations across Lanarkshire have agreed that prostitution is firmly rooted in gender-based violence.

Aligned with the aims of Equally Safe, the challenging demand approach advocates that addressing demand is fundamental to reducing commercial sexual exploitation and promoting gender equality.

It recognises the inherent imbalance in power between men and women in society, which in turn is mirrored and reinforced through commercial sexual exploitation. Challenging demand aims to prevent and reduce levels of gender-based violence as well as change cultural attitudes that perpetuate such abuse.

Des Murray, Chief Executive of North Lanarkshire Council, said, “This council and other organisations are in agreement that our position fundamentally rejects the criminalisation of those involved in the selling of sex. The majority of people being exploited are women and there is therefore an inextricable link to gender-based violence, something that we, as a council, has taken great steps to address.

“We must do everything we can to support women and others who are being exploited and will continue to work with women’s support agencies to offer support and means to exit prostitution and any other form of gender-based violence.”