Estonian attitudes towards sex buyers are tightening

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A recent survey published on Thursday indicates that Estonians do not support punishing the clients of prostitutes. Nevertheless, Estonian attitudes towards sex buyers have tightened somewhat over the past two years.
      About half of the female respondents and one-third of the males questioned expressed their support for the punishment of sex buyers. In comparison, two years ago only around one-third of women and one-fourth of men would have sought legal sanctions against buyers of sex services.
      Eesti Avatud Ühiskonna Instituut (”Estonian Open Society Institute”) conducted the questionnaire study last year before public debate on the criminalisation of sex purchases became more lively in Estonia. The study involved over 1,000 citizens.
     
Estonia is awaiting a decision of the Finnish Parliament, as a major number of the clients visiting brothels in Tallinn come from Finland.
      In Finland, the buying of sex could soon lead to fines or even imprisonment, as the purchase of sexual services is to be totally banned and criminalised in the country. The amendment to the criminal law was put before Parliament in December, and the change will take effect later this year, as soon as Parliament has passed the new legislation.
      "If Estonia plans to ban the purchase of sexual services, our first priority will be to launch an information campaign to the public", notes sociologist Ivi Proos.
      On the other hand, some individuals in favour of the purchase of sex have also come forward. For example, a journalist revealed that he had been a regular visitor of brothels and thanks to this, he had overcome his difficulties.
     
However, public debate on the issue suggests that the general opinion is changing. This week the Estonian daily newspaper Eesti Päevaleht published a petition against human trafficking which was signed by 33 well-known Estonian men. Moreover, both of Estonia's female MEPs advocate the further criminalisation of sex purchases in Europe.
      Recently, a young Estonian prosecutor became the target of unsavoury publicity and was dismissed after it became known that he had paid a visit to a brothel.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Estonia also considering criminalisation of purchase of sex (9.1.2006)

Helsingin Sanomat