Prostitution in Latvia is legal. Nearly anyone can be a sexual thrill-seeker or sex client and remain unpunished. Women who were forced into the life of prostitutes, on the other hand, are the ones who pay the price. The lawyer explains that Prostitution Restriction Regulations are in force in Latvia. Those regulations were developed by the Cabinet of Ministers.
Regulations do not prohibit prostitution as a whole. Instead the document introduces certain restrictions. When asked, the lawyer said no — prostitutes do not pay taxes. Nevertheless, there are specific restrictions put in place by the Cabinet of Ministers. Without the latter, the system would not exist. The real situation is that as long as there is demand, there will be supply. Has any person ever said they would like their children to pick up this profession?
There are many different articles and stories floating around in the public space. The story tells about prostitution in Rumbula. Regulations established by the Cabinet of Ministers state that prostitution is allowed in an apartment owned or rented by the person.
I think the way the video demonstrated it all was nothing more than abuse of a single woman engaged in prostitution. On top of it all — she was visibly pregnant. This was nothing more than insulting and degrading prank. MARTA Centre considers this video the absurdity of life, when most women end up in prostitution because of poverty. The lawyer mentions that prostitution does not bring in a lot of money — it is a myth.
Women engaged in prostitution often have no money to afford an apartment, let alone pay a fine for engaging in illegal activities. It should be said that municipal police control compliance with regulations. Women engaged in prostitution are punished. The same cannot be said for their clients, however. The fine ranges from to euros, according to the Latvian Code of Administrative Violations. How is she supposed to afford paying a fine? Another unanswered question is how a fine supposed to help a woman escape prostitution.
