Trafficking survivor: ‘Prostitution is completely dangerous’

A trafficking survivor has told the Scottish Parliament that proposals to protect women and girls must be based on “evidence showing the realities of prostitution”.

Diana Martin CBE, who was a prostitute in London before she was trafficked to the Middle East, has been helping women exit prostitution for 30 years.

Speaking to the Criminal Justice Committee, she said prostitution is “completely dangerous” and voiced support for Ash Regan MSP’s Prostitution (Offences and Support) (Scotland) Bill. The Christian Institute has welcomed Regan’s goal of criminalising the purchase of sex in Scotland, but urged MSPs to better assist vulnerable women without legalising the sale of sex.

‘Exploitation’

Martin emphasised that legislation needs to be based on the swathes of women “exploited through prostitution”, highlighting that she had seen 961 women advertised “for sale” on a pimping website earlier that morning.

Speaking to The Scotsman, she explained: “Policy cannot be based on individual experiences and a handful of people who say they are empowered and independent sex workers.

“We need to look at the vast, overwhelming majority of women who are trafficked in from other countries and those from the UK who have been chewed up and spat out by a number of different systems. It is 2025 and I am astonished that we are still having this conversation.”

Public support

According to a recent poll, the majority of Scots support Regan’s proposal to criminalise the purchase of sex.

Of 1,423 adults interviewed by Find Out Now, 67 per cent of those who had an opinion supported the approach while 33 per cent opposed. Nearly three quarters (74 per cent) said that prostitution makes women “less safe” in society, with only 6 per cent claiming the opposite.

Regan, the Independent MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, commented: “Polling shows support from voters of every main political party, sending a powerful message: Scots across the political spectrum want an end to the buying of women’s bodies and they expect Parliament to act.”

‘Ambitious and effective’

The Bill is currently being examined by the Criminal Justice Committee, and MSPs may not have time to pass it before next year’s Holyrood election.

Jenny Olson, Policy Researcher for The Christian Institute, said: “Politicians across the Scottish Parliament should drive forward a law that is as strong, ambitious and effective as possible in abolishing prostitution.

“We welcome Ash Regan’s goal of criminalising the purchase of sex in Scotland — though we urge an even stronger stance amongst MSPs in helping women leave prostitution behind for good. This doesn’t include legalising the sale of sex.”