Pedro Sánchez promises to “abolish” prostitution in Spain

Ending a three-day congress of the Socialist Party, Sánchez highlighted the policies introduced by his government which, in his view, have helped to Spain to “move forward,” listing stricter laws against domestic violence and raising the minimum wage.

“And this congress also leaves a commitment that I will carry out, we will advance by abolishing prostitution that enslaves women in our country”, he asserted during the speech delivered in Valencia (east), without providing further details.

Although sexual exploitation and pimping are illegal in Spain, prostitution is not regulated by law.

Those who offer paid sexual services of their own free will are not punished, as long as it is not done in public spaces, as the laws are focused on the fight against human trafficking.

Although it is not recognized as regular employment, there are a large number of brothels throughout the country. Many operate in both hotels or other accommodation centers.

One in three men in Spain has paid to have sex at least once in his life, according to a survey carried out in 2009 by the Center for Sociological Research (CIS, official).

Activist groups argue that the legal limbo in which prostitution is found in Spain fuels the demand for women victims of trafficking.

Sánchez became president in January 2020 at the head of a coalition government, after being in the minority after the PSOE finished first in two national elections in 2019.

Her party published a manifesto focused on the situation of women before the general consultation held in April 2019, which proposed the outlawing of prostitution, among others, which was seen as a measure to attract voters.

This manifesto described prostitution as “one of the cruelest aspects of the feminization of poverty and one of the worst forms of violence against women.”