The Scottish Government recognises that the criminal law alone is not sufficient to tackle the complex causes of street prostitution. The then Scottish Executive issued Guidance for Local Authorities and Community Planning Partnerships in July 2007. The Guidance provides advice and best practice examples in five key areas:
- Challenging attitudes which lead to a demand for prostitution
- Preventing vulnerable young people from becoming involved in prostitution
- Minimising the harm and risk encountered by women who are involved in street prostitution
- Assisting women to leave prostitution
- Enforcing the law, disrupting street sex markets and protecting communities affected by the presence of street prostitution
The guidance was prepared following consideration of the responses to the then Scottish Executive's consultation on draft guidance, which took place in 2006.
This approach builds upon the Expert Group on Prostitution's Report, Being Outside: Constructing a Response to Street Prostitution, and the responses to the Scottish Executive's consultation on that report. An independent professional analysis of the responses to the consultation was also undertaken.