Prostitution legal reform in Belgium: Abandoning the abolitionist model in favour of a neo-regulatory approach

The Belgian Criminal Code underwent significant reform with regard to sexual offences by the Law of 21 March 2022. Concerning the prostitution of people who are of legal age, the legislator has abandoned the abolitionist model and laid the foundations for a neo-regulatory model. Criminal sanctions are now based on the idea that prostitution should be able to be practised effectively, provided that the person offering his or her sexual services does so entirely voluntarily. Accordingly, the Law of 21 March 2022 enshrines the principle of authorising prostitution procurement - subject to certain... Mehr ...