The Unnecessary Policy on Prostitutes in Bulgaria

The article examines the existing policies on prostitution in Bulgaria. Drawing upon empirical data, the text presents a broad taxonomy of prostitution, delineating the various forms of its manifestation, as well as the links of prostitution to organized crime and corruption. An overview of the legislation on prostitution and case law over the past two decades shows that it is obsolete and no longer serves a useful purpose. The article argues that the current provisions on prostitution are entirely inadequate. Applying anachronistic legal statutes in effect neglects the underlying acute real issues and substitutes justice for repression and double victimization of the prostitutes. Policies should instead be focused on the pimps, the human traffickers and organized crime. Possible effects of implementation of alternative regulatory frameworks on prostitution in Bulgaria are discussed.