MSPS have launched an inquiry into websites advertising prostitution amid concerns of an “epidemic” of sex trafficking in Scotland going on “behind closed doors”.
The inquiry by the Scottish Parliament’s cross-party group on commercial sexual exploitation focuses on “pimping” websites, which it classes as “commercial sexual exploitation”.
The websites operate freely in Scotland but group co-convener Ruth Maguire said evidence indicates “hugely lucrative” sites are boosting organised crime.
She said: “We have launched this inquiry because behind closed doors there is an epidemic of sexual exploitation and sex trafficking in Scotland.
READ MORE: Coronavirus: Face mask rules extended in Scotland – here’s where you need to wear one
“Organised crime groups are luring vulnerable women to Scotland, often with promises of a better life, only to ruthlessly subject them to rape and sexual assault by the small minority of men in this country who pay for sex.
“Crucially, there is growing international evidence that the organised crime groups and sex buyers who commit this abuse are getting a major helping hand from sexual exploitation advertising websites.
“These are commercial pimping websites where victims of sexual exploitation are advertised to sex buyers.
“Right now, hugely lucrative pimping websites operate openly in Scotland.
“The cross-party group on commercial sexual exploitation will investigate the role that these websites are playing in fuelling sexual exploitation in Scotland and identify what action the Scottish Government must take.”
The cross-party group will hold a series of evidence hearings before publishing its findings and recommendations to the Scottish Government.
A similar group at the UK Parliament called for such sites to be banned in 2018 following an inquiry which concluded they were fuelling “industrialised” sex trafficking.
A year earlier, the US Government passed a law making it a federal criminal offence to own, manage or operate a website to promote or facilitate the prostitution of another person.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here