Israeli Law To Help Women Leave Prostitution

Jan 3, 2019

For many years, decreasing human trafficking (both labor and sex) has been difficult in Israel. In 2016, Yesh Atid MK Aliza Lavie, called for the government to help women leave prostitution. She lamented then that Israel did not have a law making it illegal to hire a prostitute. She said, “These women are victims of society, and society must give them back their dignity….” Lavie called for the government to help women leave prostitution. A number of countries have found success in reducing sex trafficking by criminalizing those hiring prostitutes instead of prosecuting the victims. Read here to learn about new legislation in Israel that will protect women and girls in Israel and in her bordering countries. Over 76% of sex workers stated that they would leave prostitution if they could. This new law includes funding to help women do just that.

Knesset Members pose to mark the passing of a new law criminalizing prostitution on Tuesday, December 25, 2018. (photo credit: KNESSET)