By Damian Corrigan. In general, prostitution in Spain doesn't have the stigma that it has in many other countries. However, don't be fooled by the pretense of acceptability. Prostitution in Spain is not the regulated wholesome affair that it is in the Netherlands. Human trafficking is a very serious, global issue, and hiring exploited sex workers directly funds some tremendously nefarious activity.
Many sex workers are migrants. Still, despite the many multinational organizations helping combat illegal prostitution, there are several ways local sex workersβand, unfortunately, human traffickersβhave found to continue running brothels and clubs. However, there are other legal loopholes some sex workers have used to get clients without breaking the laws.
Sex workers have been able to practice their trade freely and advertise frequently in the "Relax" section of the classifieds in newspapers and magazines. However, a proposal suggested that all contact sections of newspapers should be closed down to prevent the advertising of prostitution, but it stalled in governmental hearings.
Additionally, pimping is expressly illegal in the country, but Catalonia provides government permits "to gather people to practice prostitution. According to an article in El Pais , with a change in leadership in , there is a move in Spain to propose new legal measures to attack prostitution.
These measures include penalizing clients who solicit sex and punishing landlords who make their property available to sex workers. There is a desire to prosecute those who participate in human trafficking under current gender violence laws and to avoid prosecuting the victims of trafficking. Like all countries, Spain has its own laws and cultural signifiers that make visiting or living there unique.
