Faith
Scottish Christians Support Ban on Sex Buying
Faith Facts
- Scottish Christians and charities support a bill to make buying sex illegal.
- The Unbuyable Bill includes new support for women leaving prostitution.
- Key Christian voices highlight the bill as a stand against exploitation.
Faith groups across Scotland are backing a proposed law that would make it a crime to purchase sex, aiming to uphold dignity and protect vulnerable women. This initiative, known as the Unbuyable Bill, shifts the legal focus from those selling sex to those buying it and offers help to those seeking a way out.
The Scottish National Party adopted support for this policy in 2017, but it has not yet been enacted. The effort to criminalize buying sex now has new momentum thanks to Independent MSP Ash Regan’s leadership.
Anti-trafficking charity Restore Glasgow, CARE for Scotland, and the Evangelical Alliance are leading Christian support for the legislation.
“The Scottish Government’s Equally Safe strategy states that the definition of violence against women and girls includes commercial sexual exploitation, including prostitution, lap dancing, stripping and pornography.”
Christian leaders assert that current laws do not match these policy commitments, allowing cycles of exploitation and lasting harm to women and girls to continue.
CARE for Scotland emphasized that inaction is unacceptable and called for immediate protection for those at highest risk.
“It would be a genuine tragedy if yet another parliamentary session was to conclude without any definite action to criminalise this recognised form of violence against women and girls,” Stuart Weir of CARE for Scotland warned.
Restore Glasgow believes that passing this bill would be a strong step toward ending human trafficking and the exploitation of women in Scotland.
“It’s time for Scotland to speak up for the unseen, voiceless victims of the sex trade,” said Karen Miller of Restore Glasgow.
Scottish Christians are urging lawmakers to stand up for biblical justice, protect the vulnerable, and oppose the commodification of God’s creation. Stand for faith, family, and freedom by praying for bold legislative action in Scotland.