Dignita Foundation contributed to recommendations from the UN Special Rapporteur for State Policies Against Exploitation in Prostitution

In the first half of the year, the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls prepared an extensive report examining violence as a form, cause, and consequence of prostitution, offering key recommendations for state policies. The A/HRC/56/48 report was presented during the summer session of the UN Human Rights Council (June 18 – July 12, 2024). In preparing the report, the Special Rapporteur invited organizations and institutions from around the world to share data on legislation, law enforcement, and the social realities affecting women in prostitution. The final report is based on over 300 submissions from a wide range of stakeholders, including recommendations from the Dignita Foundation.

Key Recommendations from Dignita Included in the Report

• Encouraging victims of violence to report crimes to authorities. States should create supportive and safe conditions for victims to feel secure in seeking protection.
• Applying a gender-sensitive approach to violent crimes. It is essential for states to analyze the reasons for underreporting these crimes and to improve conditions for investigation.

Forms of Violence Against Women and Girls in Prostitution

In its submission, Dignita focused on the question posed by the Special Rapporteur: “What forms of violence are women and girls in prostitution subjected to?” In Bulgaria, economic violence is a primary concern, while globally, the report emphasizes physical violence in the system of prostitution.

The report describes economic violence and marginalization in prostitution, which include:

• Minimal or no pay, long working hours, extortion, and refusal by clients to pay.
• Theft and extortion by pimps, clients, and other exploiters; forced payment of “interest” to pimps; police fines; debt accumulation; and bribes.
• Payments to pimps for rent, work, or basic services.
• Migrant women financially bound by debt due to travel costs and fees, leading to forced sexual exploitation.
• Tax payments made through pimps, further restricting women’s ability to exit prostitution.

Summary of Recommendations to Governments

• Avoiding “pimp-state” models. States should repeal laws that allow, tolerate, or excuse violence and exploitation within the systems of prostitution and pornography. It is crucial to provide gender-sensitive support and compensation to victims of prostitution.
• Addressing root causes of violence. States should tackle economic inequalities, discrimination, and marginalization, which lead to violence, as well as work to reduce demand for prostitution.
• Investigating and categorizing crimes in prostitution. States should classify the murders of women and girls in prostitution as femicide and investigate disappearances with suspicion of exploitation.
• Working with the media. It is recommended that media outlets portray prostitution respectfully, reducing stigma and emphasizing accountability for perpetrators.