DELEGATES at the SNP conference will be asked to condemn the practice of Sex For Rent, where landlords demand sexual favours in return for accommodation.
In a motion put forward by members in Lomond, and by MSP Stuart McMillan, the party faithful will be told of how unscrupulous homeowners “seek to prey on those with vulnerable housing status.”
They will be asked to back calls to “ask the Scottish Government to look into introducing new primary legislation making it an offence to solicit sex in exchange for providing accommodation, or advertising accommodation for ‘free’ with the intent to solicit sexual relationships.”
However, a group of MSPs are calling for the debate to be widened out, saying Sex For Rent is part of a bigger trend “towards increasing levels of commercial sexual exploitation in Scotland which prey on vulnerable individuals in need of cash to purchase essentials, such as accommodation or food, or to fund addiction”.
The group, including Ash Denham, and Ruth MacGuire, believe the motion should be about stopping anyone looking for sex in exchange for accommodation of “other ‘in-kind services”.
Another motion on Drug Reform, penned by 23-year-old Josh Mennie, will ask for the party to back calls to look at the “legalisation and regulation” of drugs.
Meanwhile, Angus Robertson, the party’s deputy leader is to make his major speech since losing his seat.
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