For many, sex work is not just a job, it’s a lifeline. This deeply personal truth stands in stark contrast to the dangerous and ill-informed proposals put forward by Ash Regan in Holyrood, which threaten to criminalize the purchase of sex under the so-called “Nordic model.” As sex workers across Scotland, united under the banner of Scotland For Decrim, forcefully argue, total decriminalization for both buyers and sellers is the only model that prioritizes safety, autonomy, and human rights.

“Sex Work Saved My Life”

Emma, a member of Scotland For Decrim, shared a harrowing account of how sex work provided her the means to escape a violent and abusive home in her 20s. With vital women’s services struggling and stretched thin, sex work was her only viable option. “If sex work hadn’t been an option, I wouldn’t have been able to leave and I’m not sure I’d be alive today,” she revealed, visibly emotional. Her story, echoed by countless others, underscores that for some, sex work is not a choice made lightly, but a necessary act of survival.

This perspective is crucial but consistently ignored by those pushing the Nordic model. The proponents of this legislation often operate from a place of “middle-class feminism,” as described by Laura Baillie, a political officer for Scotland For Decrim and a university academic who studies decriminalization. “Nobody asks sex workers what they want,” Laura asserts, “yet it’s only sex workers who know what they need.”

The Peril of the Nordic Model: Driving Sex Work Underground

The core danger of the Nordic model, which makes it an offense to pay for sex, is its predictable consequence: it drives sex work further underground. This isn’t a theoretical concern; it’s a grim reality observed in countries where it’s been implemented.

• Increased Risk for Street Workers: Criminalizing clients forces transactions into secluded, unsafe areas, leaving sex workers with less time to assess clients and increasing their vulnerability to violence. As Nina, an escort with a Master’s degree, explained, “If there’s a safe zone [under decriminalisation], sex workers can take time chatting to clients and figuring out if it feels safe.”
• Undermining Safety Measures for Indoor Workers: Many independent sex workers, including those working from their homes or in saunas, employ vital safety measures like screening clients, requesting deposits, and checking IDs. The Nordic model discourages these practices, as clients become fearful of providing identifying information due to the risk of arrest. This means the clients who are deterred are often the “good and decent” ones, leaving sex workers more exposed to dangerous individuals who are undeterred by the law.
• Police Surveillance and Mistrust: Under the Nordic model, sex workers’ homes can become targets for police surveillance, aimed at arresting clients. This creates a terrifying dilemma: if a sex worker is assaulted, reporting it to the police could lead to their property being monitored and their clients being arrested, effectively destroying their livelihood and outing them. “How can you go to police?” asked Amelia, a dominatrix.

Ash Regan’s apparent lack of understanding about the realities of sex work, demonstrated by her literal interpretation of “driving underground,” further highlights the danger of her proposals. “It shows her complete lack of understanding,” Laura commented. “She shouldn’t be speaking about something she has so little understanding of, let alone trying to pass legislation that affects people’s lives.”

The Case for Total Decriminalization

Total decriminalization is the only model supported by sex workers themselves and a growing number of human rights organizations, including Amnesty International. It means that no consensual sex work is criminalized, for either the seller or the buyer.

This approach brings several critical benefits:

• Enhanced Safety: By operating within the bounds of the law, sex workers can work together for safety without fear of “brothel-keeping” charges. They can take their time screening clients and are more likely to report violence without fear of prosecution.
• Empowerment and Autonomy: Decriminalization acknowledges sex work as legitimate labor, allowing individuals to manage their businesses and make choices about their work without state interference. As Nina, who bought her own home through escorting, declared, “I want to be here. Nobody else is profiting off this. I’m truly independent.”
• Access to Services: When sex work is decriminalized, individuals are less afraid to access healthcare, mental health support, and legal assistance, leading to better public health outcomes and increased overall well-being.
• Addressing Root Causes: Instead of criminalizing individuals, a decriminalized framework allows society to focus on the underlying issues that may lead people into sex work, such as poverty, lack of affordable housing, low wages, and inadequate social services. As Amelia passionately stated, “If you want less sex workers, then start with universal basic income, affordable childcare, higher minimum wage, rent caps, affordable housing, decent benefits, and better mental health services.”

Rejecting Stigma and Misinformation

Sex workers consistently reject the derogatory term “prostitute” and the dehumanizing language often found in legislation like Ash Regan’s bill. They argue that calling sex work “rape” while proposing lenient penalties for buyers is contradictory and insulting. “Is rape only worth £10,000?” Laura challenged. The claim that the Nordic model tackles trafficking is also dismissed as “disinformation,” as trafficking is already illegal and better addressed through targeted law enforcement efforts and social support.

The “middle-class feminist” argument that sex workers are too weak or unintelligent to know what’s best for themselves is deeply patronizing. “People are deciding what’s best for me, without asking me. They aren’t my parent. I’m not going on the naughty step. My view is there should be nothing about us, without us,” Amelia asserted.

Sex workers are not looking for their profession to be promoted in schools or to become part of career guidance. They are simply demanding the fundamental rights afforded to any other worker: safety, dignity, and freedom from criminalization. Ash Regan’s proposed bill is not a progressive step; it’s a regressive, dangerous policy that will push vulnerable individuals further into the shadows and exacerbate harm. Scotland must listen to the voices of those directly affected and choose the path of total decriminalization.