Switzerland At 16 years old, they work as prostitute for pocket money

January 1, 2006

Comment: The Swissnewspaper ‘24 Heures’ publishes a story revealing the case of 16-year-oldgirls working legally as escort girls in Switzerland. Indeed, the Swisslegislation defines the age of sexual consent as 16-years-old. And unlike theirneighbours who limit prostitution for people over 18-years-old, Swiss authoritieshave not yet elaborated a law on the subject. The report quotes a specialist ofthe Federal Office of Justice saying that “whoever reaches 16-years-old canhave sexual intercourses with people of every age”. Adding that “theseintercourses may or may not be lucrative, but must be consented by both parties”.

Reacting tothis situation, individuals and organizations are asking for a federal law toprevent teenager who are under 18 from prostitution. Even some people insidethe sex industry are asking for it. The report quotes a woman who owns anescort agency and who says she is shocked that “more and more teenagers wantto sell their body. And not even for necessity, but for luxury”.

However, achange of legislation is in preparation: Switzerland must indeed ratify the* *Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children againstSexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse, which fixes the minimum ages forprostitution to 18-years-old. But because of the particularities of the Swissdemocracy, that will probably take some time.

Read the original article (in French) here