FEMEN initiates criminal responsibility for using sex industry services

Female movement FEMEN proposes introduction of criminal responsibility for the use of sex industry services, Hanna Hotsul, leader of the movement, told a press conference at the Ukrainian News press center. "We suggest introduction of punishment for a man resorting to prostitute services. Prostitution is unlawful in this country, but a prostitute shoulders responsibility, when the one using her services does not. That is why we propose making a client accountable, too, which will help us uncover sex tourists," she said.

FEMEN also proposes deportation of foreigners who were caught in sex tourism, and prohibiting them from entering Ukraine for a certain period of time.

Beside this, Hotsul says, it is necessary to toughen responsibility for pandering, which currently is punished with conditional sentences.

She noted that the movement is not cooperating with political forces, but intends to stage different actions to make the authorities pay attention to the problem of sex tourism and prostitution, which must be settled at the legislative level.

FEMEN is the organization of young women from Kyiv oriented at students and focused on fight with sex tourism and prostitution in Ukraine.

Dear subscribers, an audiotape and/or transcript of the press conference can be ordered by contacting Ukrainian News' press center by telephone (494 3165) or email (centre@ukranews.com).