# Scotland for Decrim

> Fighting for the full decriminalisation of sex work in Scotland.


## Posts

- [Letter to the First Minister against Regan's dangerous Bill](https://scotlandfordecrim.org/updates/letter-to-the-first-minister-against-regans-dangerous-bill/): Scottish sex workers wrote a letter to the First Minister, John Swinney, urging him to not vote for Regan’s proposed legislation. See the full letter below, and the coverage in the Herald here. “Dear John,  We write to you as the people who will be most affected by Ash Regan’s Bill to criminalise the purchase of sex, to plead with you not to vote for this dangerous proposed legislation at the Stage 1 vote on February 3rd.  Our most urgent concern in all of this is our safety. There is significant evidence from Amnesty International, the World Health Organisation, and […]
- [HIV concerns raised over Ash Regan’s dangerous Bill](https://scotlandfordecrim.org/updates/hiv-concerns-raised-over-ash-regans-dangerous-bill/): Campaigners warn that Ash Regan's dangerous Nordic Model bill will undermine Scotland's goal to end HIV transmission by 2030.
- [Dominatrix warns sex workers will lose 'basic survival techniques' if prostitution bill passes](https://scotlandfordecrim.org/updates/dominatrix-warns-sex-workers-will-lose-basic-survival-techniques-if-prostitution-bill-passes/): One of our incredible members, Porcelain Victoria, spoke to the Daily Record about how Regan’s dangerous Bill would put her and other sex workers at risk of further violence. See an excerpt from the article below, we are so proud of you Victoria! A dominatrix has warned sex workers will lose their “basic survival techniques” if a proposed prostitution bill passes in Scotland. Porcelain Victoria, 26, penned an open letter to politicians opposing the Prostitution (Offences and Support) (Scotland) Bill and said the legislation would endanger women and expose them to violence. The radical proposals put forward by independent MSP Ash Regan could see those […]
- [Scottish Sex Workers Write Open Letter](https://scotlandfordecrim.org/updates/scottish-sex-workers-write-open-letter/): 126 Sex workers in Scotland have written an open letter to Members of the Scottish Parliament. They speak of their fear for their lives and wellbeing should Regan’s dangerous Bill become law. A copy of the full letter is given below, along with a list of signatories. We have had to change their names to avoid harassment and abuse, but every single name is a sex worker who is terrified of what will happen to them if the Nordic Model is introduced in Scotland. We hope MSPs will hear their pleas, and we thank them for their courage in speaking […]
- [Protest held against Regan's dangerous Bill](https://scotlandfordecrim.org/updates/protest-held-against-regans-dangerous-bill/): Scotland for Decrim held a protest outside the Scottish Parliament building on 18th November 2025 to highlight our serious concerns with Regan’s proposed Prostitution (Offences and Support) (Scotland) Bill. Speakers discussed the lack of input from any current sex workers in the creation of the Bill, that evidence from all other countries with the Nordic Model shows that rates of violence increase after the introduction of this type of legislation, and it does not reduce the fundamental reasons why many of us enter sex work – out of economic necessity. This protest was covered by the Herald, the National, the […]
- [BBC Alba Eòrpa Documentary](https://scotlandfordecrim.org/updates/bbc-alba-eorpa-documentary/): Some members of Scotland for Decrim took part in a documentary on selling sex. We argued that if the government want to see less people selling sex, they should take immediate action to reduce poverty. We also argued that the Nordic Model would increase our risk of violence at work. You can watch the documentary here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002msdj/eorpa-series-33-10-buying-sex
- [Scotland for Decrim's submission to the Criminal Justice Committee](https://scotlandfordecrim.org/updates/scotland-for-decrims-submission-to-the-criminal-justice-committee/): Scotland for Decrim responded to the Criminal Justice Committee’s call for views on the Prostitution (Offences and Support) (Scotland) Bill. We are publishing our full response below, so you are able to see our evidenced reasons for opposing this dangerous proposed legislation. 1. The Bill proposes to create a new offence of paying for the performance of a sexual act by a person. The Bill (at section 1) includes details of the circumstances in which an offence would be committed. The Bill (at section 9) includes a definition of “a sexual act”. The Bill states that activities such as striptease, […]
- [Open letter to MSPs to oppose the Nordic Model](https://scotlandfordecrim.org/updates/open-letter-to-msps-to-oppose-the-nordic-model/): Dear Members of the Scottish Parliament, We are writing to you as a coalition of sex workers, sex workers’ rights organisations, and supportive organisations and individuals from across the third sector, trade unions and academia. We urge you to oppose attempts to introduce the Nordic Model on sex work in Scotland, including via Ash Regan’s proposed Prostitution (Offences and Support) (Scotland) Bill. The Scottish Government must not introduce a legal model which has failed in its aims in every country where it has been implemented. Regan’s bill aims to criminalise the purchase of sex, a legislative framework commonly known as […]
- [Scotland for Decrim's Holyrood event in The Herald](https://scotlandfordecrim.org/updates/scotland-for-decrims-holyrood-event-in-the-herald/): The Herald’s political correspondent Hannah Brown has published an article about how the Scottish Government Equally Safe Fund’s definition of prostitution has led to prominent women’s rights groups being unable to voice their support for decriminalisation. Read all about it on the Herald website.
- [Holyrood Event](https://scotlandfordecrim.org/updates/holyrood-event/): Photo credit: Diana Rotten On Wednesday, 10 September, Scotland for Decrim held an event in Scottish Parliament to bring together members of our collective, allies, politicians and others to hear about why sex workers are calling for the full decriminalisation of sex work in Scotland. The event was sponsored by Maggie Chapman MSP, an incredible intersectional feminist and ally. The panel began with a speech by Maggie, followed by Laura Baillie, Scotland for Decrim’s Political Officer, who introduced SfD and the current political context. Then we heard from a member from the Street Workers Collective Ireland about the harms of […]
- [4 News Interview](https://scotlandfordecrim.org/updates/4-news-interview/): Members of Scotland for Decrim were interviewed by Channel 4 News. You can read the article and watch a five minute video of the interview below. https://www.channel4.com/news/should-it-be-illegal-to-pay-for-sex-in-scotland
- [The Herald interview](https://scotlandfordecrim.org/updates/the-herald-interview/): This week’s Big Read in the Sunday Herald is an interview with Scotland for Decrim. Five of our members spoke to Neil Mackay about why Ash Regan’s Unbuyable bill would be disastrous for sex workers in Scotland, and how decriminalisation would improve their lives. The article is available to read on the Herald website.
- [SfD on STV News](https://scotlandfordecrim.org/updates/sfd-on-stv-news/): STV News covered the launch of the Scotland for Decrim campaign. Read the article and watch a short video over on the STV News website.
- [Scotland for Decrim’s Statement in solidarity with the trans community](https://scotlandfordecrim.org/updates/scotland-for-decrims-statement-in-solidarity-with-the-trans-community/): Scotland for Decrim stands in full solidarity with the trans community. Decriminalisation is, at its core, an inclusive movement that works to ensure the safety and dignity of all marginalised groups who are overrepresented in sex work. Among these groups is the trans community, who has come under unrelenting attacks and discriminatory legislation, notably the UK’s Supreme Court Ruling in April 2025. The rise in transphobia is part of a wider pattern of aggravated authoritarianism and the loss of hard fought for rights across society. Trans people are used as a scapegoat and a distraction from the relentless issues caused […]
- [Scotland for Decrim’s Statement in solidarity with the people of Palestine](https://scotlandfordecrim.org/updates/scotland-for-decrims-statement-in-solidarity-with-the-people-of-palestine/): Scotland for Decrim stands in unwavering solidarity with the people of Palestine. We are a grassroots organisation led by sex workers and supported by our friends, family and allies, demanding and fighting for workers rights. We are a group committed to bodily autonomy, harm reduction, mutual aid and abolitionist politics. These values are incompatible with racist, genocidal imperialism and settler colonialism. We witness the untold violence being documented everyday in front of us on social media, while mainstream media write headlines which obscure the truth, and politicians refuse to act to stop this horrific genocide. We condemn Israel’s occupation, apartheid, […]

## Pages

- [Ash Regan's Prostitution Bill](https://scotlandfordecrim.org/ash-regans-prostitution-bill/): The Campaign Against Ash Regan’s Prostitution Bill Scottish sex workers need your support to fight the Nordic Model! MSP Ash Regan has introduced a Bill to Scottish Parliament which would put sex workers in an even more vulnerable position by criminalising the purchase of sex (commonly referred to as the Nordic Model). Sex workers and sex worker-led organisations don’t want this Bill – and international advocacy groups like Amensty International and the World Health Organisation all agree there is clear evidence that the Nordic Model makes sex workers less safe. We need help from sex workers and allies to make […]
- [Cookie Policy (UK)](https://scotlandfordecrim.org/cookie-policy-uk/)
- [Privacy Policy](https://scotlandfordecrim.org/privacy-policy/): Privacy Policy Privacy Policy Last updated: September 23, 2024 This Privacy Policy describes Our policies and procedures on the collection, use and disclosure of Your information when You use the Service and tells You about Your privacy rights and how the law protects You. We use Your Personal data to provide and improve the Service. By using the Service, You agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy. This Privacy Policy has been created with the help of the Privacy Policy Generator. Interpretation and Definitions Interpretation The words of which the initial letter is […]
- [What Sex Workers Say](https://scotlandfordecrim.org/why-scotland-needs-decrim/what-sex-workers-say/): What Sex Workers Say “I am very concerned about how bringing in the Nordic Model would drive the industry even further underground, making it harder for us to screen our clients, therefore making my job even more precarious than it already is. The stigma that this will create will also increase discrimination against workers that are already marginalised. Thereby compounding the problems that we face on a daily basis.” Sex worker, NUM’s evidence submission to Prostitution Bill Consultation September 2024 “As a sex worker who specialises in offering services to clients (male and female) with disabilities, the idea of criminalisation […]
- [Why Decriminalisation?](https://scotlandfordecrim.org/why-scotland-needs-decrim/why-decriminalisation/): Why Decriminalisation? Every sex worker-led organisation in the UK is calling for the full decriminalisation of sex work: a legal model which decriminalises the sex worker, the client, and third parties such as managers, drivers, and landlords. Decriminalisation means that sex workers are able to work without threat of criminal sanctions. Criminal and administrative penalties on prostitution are repealed. Sex workers’ workplaces are regulated through employment law, enabling workers to hold their bosses to account and form trade unions. Decriminalisation means that sex workers can work where and with whom they choose, without interference from the police, unless workers choose to […]
- [Why Not The Nordic Model?](https://scotlandfordecrim.org/why-scotland-needs-decrim/why-not-the-nordic-model/): Why Not the Nordic Model? The Swedish Model, otherwise known as the Nordic Model, is a legal approach to sex work that criminalises the purchase of sexual services and the clients of sex workers. First introduced in Sweden in 1999, this policy is currently in effect in Sweden, Norway, Iceland, France, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Canada and Israel. Since its inception, the Nordic Model has been controversial among those working in the sex industry, and has been met with huge resistance and protest from sex workers who are impacted by these laws. Scottish sex workers overwhelmingly oppose plans to introduce the […]
- [The Current Situation In Scotland](https://scotlandfordecrim.org/why-scotland-needs-decrim/the-current-situation-in-scotland/): The Current Situation in Scotland The Current Legal Model In Scotland and the rest of the UK, partial criminalisation makes sex work dangerous. The act of selling sex itself is not illegal, however, “associated activities” such as soliciting and brothel keeping are criminalised. This means that workers cannot work in pairs or groups for safety, and that those who do work in managed brothels have no access to workers’ rights. For street-based and outdoor workers, soliciting in a public place and kerb-crawling (for clients) are both offences. This means there is less time for workers to engage in screening, negotiate […]
- [About Us](https://scotlandfordecrim.org/about-us/): About Us Our Mission Scotland for Decrim is a new campaign fighting for the full decriminalisation of sex work in Scotland. The evidence is clear – the current model of partial criminalisation of sex work in Scotland puts sex workers’ lives in danger. We need change now. The campaign is led by current sex workers, alongside allies including former sex workers, feminists, academics, trade unionists, students, and organisations advocating for human rights, drug decriminalisation, LGBTQIA+ liberation, housing justice, and more. Our Demands The Current Situation Sex workers in Scotland are excluded from safer working practices by various laws and policies […]
- [Home](https://scotlandfordecrim.org/): The campaign is led by current sex workers, alongside allies including former sex workers, intersectional feminists, academics, trade unionists, students, and organisations advocating for human rights, drug decriminalisation, LGBTQIA+ liberation, housing justice, and more. We’re calling for full decriminalisation because current laws put sex workers in danger, forcing us to work alone indoors or in more isolated areas on the street. Sex workers deserve to be able to work together for safety, to access healthcare and housing without stigma or discrimination, and to work without the threat of fines or prosecution. Only full decriminalisation will deliver this. Join the Fight […]
- [Take Action](https://scotlandfordecrim.org/contact-us/): Take Action Contact Us Follow us on Social Media:


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