Finland Times

 

File Photo Lehtikuva.

A group of lawmakers on Friday initiated a bill with the provision for imposing a total ban on sex trading.

 

Lawmakers Päivi Räsänen of Suomen Kristillisdemokraatit (Christian Democrats of Finland) and Eva Biaudet of  Suomen ruotsalainen kansanpuolue(Swedish People's Party of Finland) are spearheading the initiative and collected signatures of 14 lawmakers.

 

Currently prostitution is only punishable when one solicits such services from victims of trafficking and pimping.

 

"The legislation does not provide sufficient protection to the victims of trafficking and pimping. Furthermore, the law encourages the hiding of criminal activities behind prostitution, and gives a picture of the voluntary activities,” said the initiative, adding, “a complete ban will offer a more efficient and a clearer means to curb criminal activities as well as curb demand sustaining sex trade." 

 

Räsänen and Biaudet pointed out that prostitution has reduced significantly in Sweden and Nor-way following imposing a complete ban on sex trading.