Government in the process of amending legal reforms on prostitution
Monday, 9 January 2023, 11:36
Last update: about 44 minutes ago
Amendments to the prostitution law are currently underway, to ensure that the proposals submitted through public consultation match the local context, said a spokesperson for the Parliamentary Secretariat for Reforms and Equality.
Contacted by The Malta Independent for an update regarding the reform of the prostitution law, which was presented in 2020 by former Parliamentary Secretary Rosianne Cutajar, the spokesperson said that amendments are underway.
Cutajar had tried to decriminalize sex work with a legal framework drafted by the technical committee for the reform of prostitution. A controversy had arisen among NGOs, activists, as well as The Coalition on the Human Trafficking and Prostitution reform, who said that the proposed reform aimed to normalize prostitution and legitimize it “like any other work.”
The Coalition had encouraged Cutajar to review the data that was given and see the “disastrous consequences” felt in other countries that have legalized prostitution.
The reforms now fall under the mandate of the Parliamentary Secretary for Reforms and Equality Rebecca Buttigieg.
A spokesperson for Buttigieg said that during the past legislature, the government held a public consultation on the issue during which many members of civil society and NGOs participated by giving their feedback.
“Based on this consultation, amendments are currently underway in the law to ensure that the proposals submitted correspond to the local context,” he said.
He said that the issue cannot be treated as one size fits all, as it is not a matter of adopting a particular model over another.
“The reform of the law of prostitution is a sensitive subject and unfortunately, there is still a stigma surrounding the issue, thus making it more difficult for people to come out and discuss openly,” said the spokesperson.
He said that one must make a distinction between people who are forced into prostitution, and others who do sexual work of their own free will.
“While the government believes in the freedom of the individual, it also believes that the solution is not to put vulnerable people in prison,” he said.
The spokesperson said that the services provided by the State, such as the voluntary exit program, will be strengthened and cooperation with NGOs that work with people who have been exploited in prostitution will increase.