Prostitution: the criminalization of sex buyers is in compliance with the Constitution

Published on Friday, 01 February 2019 12:14

The Scelles Foundation is pleased about the decision of the Constitutional Council, which validates the constitutionality of the provision that criminalizes sex buyers, provided by the April 13^th, 2016 law reinforcing the fight against the prostitutional system and assisting prostituted persons. This is a major victory for the respect for and protection of human dignity, and for the non-commodification of the human body in France.

Struck by a decision by the Council of State on November 13^th, 2018 regarding a priority issue of constitutionality (QPC 2018-761) on the constitutionality of the criminalization of sex buyers of prostitution, the Constitutional Council came around to the abolitionist arguments for the defense of human rights.

Indeed, the preservation of the prohibition of paying for services from prostitution and the confirmation that prostitution is a form of exploitation and violence, as well as an infringement on dignity and human rights, constitutes a victory:

-       Of the re-affirmed choice of a society of equality between women and men,

-       Of the stated objective of stopping human trafficking and to make it known to criminal groupsand procurers that they will not be tolerated in France,

-       Of the obligation to conform to international treaties signed by France,

-       Of the refusal to institutionalize the right to that exploit the insecurity and vulnerability of prostituted persons

-       Of the recognition of the victim status of prostituted persons, and to assist them in their routes out of prostitution.

-       Of the willingness to change mentalities and to protect young people, who are the primary victims of prostitution.

Yes, to penalize demand is to fight against the violence it engenders and to punish the sex buyers who fuel it.

Yes, to penalize demand is to protect the victims of the prostitutional system.

No, there are no “good sex buyers,” only those who wish to force undesired sexual relations by using money, dependency, or force.

No, there is not a “good” and “bad” prostitution: there are only victims.

The path remains long in order for this law of the 13^th of April 2016 to be fully implemented. The first results are encouraging. The reversal of values that led to penalizing sex buyers and decriminalizing the victims of exploitation is confirmed by public opinion: 78% of French people do not wish to return to the old system[1]. By this decision, the Constitutional Council affirms that the law can be applied fully and completely throughout the country. Their decision saves lives; this matter is urgent. The Scelles Foundation will be paying close attention to its achievement.

[1] IPSOS-CAP International survey, January 2019

CONFÉRENCE - PROHIBITION DE LA MARCHANDISATION DU CORPS ET JURISPRUDENCE EUROPÉENNE : Livestream à partir de 14h30

Published on Friday, 01 February 2019 08:49

 Une conférence à suivre en Livestreaming sur notre site

« Comment mieux lutter contre la prostitution ? » : Yves Charpenel dans l'émission 'En Quête de Sens' de Radio Notre-Dame

Published on Thursday, 31 January 2019 10:20

Pour réécouter le podcast de l'émission.

PROSTITUTION : Interdire l’achat du corps d’autrui c’est protéger les droits fondamentaux

Published on Monday, 28 January 2019 16:20

Le Conseil constitutionnel a été saisi le 13 novembre 2018 par une décision du Conseil d’Etat d’une question prioritaire de constitutionnalité (QPC 2018-761) sur la conformité à la constitution de la pénalisation des « clients » de la prostitution, telle que définie par la loi du 13 avril 2016 visant à renforcer la lutte contre le système prostitutionnel et à accompagner les victimes.

Auditionnés par le Conseil constitutionnel le 22 janvier dernier, les avocats des associations abolitionnistes, dont la Fondation Scelles, ainsi que le représentant du Premier Ministre ont, non seulement, écarté les griefs formulés à l’encontre des dispositions contestées du code pénal issues de la loi de 2016, mais ont également rappelé les avancées opérées par cette législation en matière de protection des droits et libertés. 

Leur demande auprès du juge constitutionnel de ne pas donner « l’onction constitutionnelle au marché de la prostitution » en consacrant l’achat d’un acte sexuel comme un droit, mais de confirmer la nature intrinsèquement violente et attentatoire aux droits fondamentaux, de la prostitution, recevra une réponse le 1^er février 2019.

La décision du Conseil Constitutionnel dessinera sans aucun doute « le contrat social français » pour les prochaines générations.>>>