NCJ Number
183757
Date Published
2000
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This study examines implementation of the National Council for Crime Prevention Act (1998:408) prohibiting the purchase of sexual services.
Abstract
The Act came into effect on January 1, 1999. It criminalizes anyone who purchases or attempts to purchase a casual sexual relation. Persons committing such acts may be fined or imprisoned for a maximum of 6 months. Efforts to ensure compliance with the law have been focused on the surveillance of unconcealed street prostitution and on attempts to disrupt this form of prostitution. Increased resources have been directed at motorists breaking through traffic regulations in areas where street prostitutes are known to operate. It has been difficult to ensure that the law is followed with regard to concealed prostitution. Clarification is needed regarding situations and types of relations to which the law applies and evidentiary problems tend to arise when the suspect denies having committed the offense. Prosecutors have taken a cautious approach and in principal have taken before the courts only more or less clear-cut cases in order to at least shed some light on the penalty question.