Catholic Church in Scotland gives its backing to Ash Regan's Unbuyable Bill
The Catholic Church in Scotland has become the latest body to give support to a Bill that would criminalise the purchase of sex
Senior clergy have given their backing to proposed new legislation that would criminalise the purchase of sex.
The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland has called a Bill tabled by independent MSP Ash Regan a “vital step” in protecting vulnerable Scots.
The Bill’s central purpose - to reduce prostitution and tackle exploitation, coercion, and harm - is described as both “compelling and necessary”.
In a letter to the First Minister John Swinney, Bishop John Keenan said: “I recognise that political views on the Bill vary, and expect Parliament to provide considerable scrutiny from which the Bill can benefit, but I believe Scotland has an important opportunity to demonstrate leadership in the protection of vulnerable women and girls, the prevention of trafficking, and the promotion of equality.
“I urge you and your Government to support the Bill as it proceeds through Parliament.”
Ms Regan’s “Unbuyable Bill” proposes a new offence for the purchase of sexual acts, while repealing laws that historically penalised those selling sex.
The Bill would also quash previous convictions under section 46 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, removing what Bishop Keenan calls a “significant barrier” to rebuilding lives.
The Bishops’ Conference supports the Bill’s adoption of a “challenging demand” model, shifting criminal responsibility away from individuals exploited through prostitution.
Supports of the Bill say the model - known as the Nordic model - reflects international best practice in tackling violence against women and girls.
In his letter, Bishop Keenan reflects on the experiences of those involved in prostitution, including care experience, childhood abuse and grooming.
The Bill’s benefits are contested by sex workers’ rights groups, which say the legislation will make people who sell sex more unsafe.
However, the Bishops’ Conference also emphasises the Bill’s relevance to combatting human trafficking for sexual exploitation, a significant issue in Scotland.
Bishop Brian McGee, Vice President of the Bishops’ Conference, has contributed insight from his work with the Santa Marta Group, an international alliance dedicated to ending human trafficking.
He believes the Bill reflects “the realities identified by trafficked people, law enforcement, and Church agencies around the world.”
A key component of the proposed legislation is the creation of a statutory right to support for anyone currently or previously involved in prostitution.
This includes access to accommodation, financial aid, healthcare, and counselling—supports deemed essential for enabling safe and sustainable exits from prostitution.
The letter also urges the Scottish Government to show leadership by backing the Bill, as part of its pledges to tackle violence against women and girls.
MSPs will vote next month on the legislation.
It recently emerged the justice committee was split on the issue of backing the proposals, with committee members split evenly.
All four SNP MSPs on the committee said they were against the Bill, claiming “substantial” changes needed to be made to the bill and warned there may be “unintended consequences for the safety of women” if the Nordic model is introduced.
The committee also notes there is “insufficient time” left before the next Scottish Parliament election to properly scrutinise the bill.
Ms Regan has consistently expressed concerns that the government was “running down the clock” on the passage of the proposed legislation.
The former Alba MSP said she has the “explicit backing” of Police Scotland, the Crown Office, Cosla (the umbrella body for Scotland’s 32 councils), Scottish Women’s Aid and a number of frontline support services.
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