France bans buying sex with prostitutes

French lawmakers have approved a bill against prostitution and sex trafficking that bans buying sex, not selling it.

Customers will face fines and be made to attend awareness classes on the harms of the sex trade.

The legislation, which passed 64-12 in the parliament’s lower house, the National Assembly, makes French law one of the toughest against sex buyers in Europe.

Prostitution in itself is legal in France — though brothels and pimping are illegal.

The measure does away with a 2003 law that banned passive soliciting by sex workers, and switches the focus of punishment to the client, introducing a €1,500 fine that rises to €3,750 for a buyer’s second offence.

The convicted client will be obliged to attend classes highlighting the dangers associated with prostitution.

Supporters of the bill argue that it will help fight trafficking networks.

“The most important aspect of this law is to accompany prostitutes, give them identity papers because we know that 85% of prostitutes here are victims of trafficking,” said Maud Olivier, a lawmaker with the governing Socialists and a sponsor of the legislation.

She said many sex workers brought to France have their passports confiscated by pimps.

“We will provide them with documents on the condition they commit to leave prostitution behind,” she added.

Opponents fear cracking down will push prostitutes to hide, leaving them even more at the mercy of pimps and violent clients.