The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

Press Release

Action on Exploitation with Support for New Prostitution Bill

For Immediate Release
28 January 2026

Bishops’ Conference Calls for Action on Exploitation with Support for New Prostitution Bill

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland has written to the First Minister of Scotland to express the Church’s support for the Prostitution (Offences and Support) (Scotland) Bill, currently before the Scottish Parliament.

In the letter, the Bishops’ Conference describes the Bill, tabled by independent MSP, Ash Regan, as “a vital step toward protecting some of the most vulnerable individuals in our society and addressing the systemic harms associated with prostitution in Scotland.”

Protecting Victims and Challenging Demand

The Bill’s central purpose—to reduce prostitution and tackle exploitation, coercion, and harm—is described as both compelling and necessary.

It proposes a new offence for the purchase of sexual acts, while repealing outdated laws that historically penalised those who were themselves victims. The Bill would also quash previous convictions under section 46 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, removing what Bishop Keenan calls a “significant barrier” to rebuilding lives.

The Bishops’ Conference supports the Bill’s adoption of a “challenging demand” model, shifting criminal responsibility away from individuals exploited through prostitution—overwhelmingly women and girls—and onto the buyers who fuel the commercial sex market. This model reflects international best practice and aligns with Scotland’s wider commitments to tackling violence against women and girls.

Addressing Vulnerability and Trauma

The letter highlights the deep vulnerabilities that underpin involvement in prostitution. Many affected individuals have experienced childhood abuse, care experience, grooming, and trauma, with young people—particularly those leaving care—at high risk of exploitation. Technology has intensified these risks, expanding opportunities for manipulation.

Human Trafficking Concerns

The Bishops’ Conference also emphasises the Bill’s relevance to combatting human trafficking for sexual exploitation, a significant and documented issue in Scotland. International evidence links reductions in trafficking to demand‑reduction legislation. Bishop Brian McGee, Vice‑President of the Bishops’ Conference, has contributed insight from his work with the Santa Marta Group, an international alliance dedicated to ending human trafficking. He believes the Bill reflects “the realities identified by trafficked people, law enforcement, and Church agencies around the world.”

Right to Support

A key component of the proposed legislation is the creation of a statutory right to support for anyone currently or previously involved in prostitution. This includes access to accommodation, financial aid, healthcare, and counselling—supports deemed essential for enabling safe and sustainable exits from prostitution.

Call for Political Leadership

Acknowledging differing political opinions, and expecting Parliament to provide considerable scrutiny from which the Bill can benefit, the letter urges the Scottish Government to show leadership by backing the Bill, underscoring its potential to protect vulnerable women and girls, prevent trafficking, and advance equality.

ENDS

Contact:
Media Office

Bishops’ Conference of Scotland
64 Aitken Street, ML6 6LT
Tel: 01236 764061
Email: [email protected]

< READ LETTER

The Roman Catholic Bishops in Scotland work together to undertake nationwide initiatives through their Commissions and Agencies.

The members of the Bishops' Conference are the Bishops of the eight Scottish Dioceses. Where appropriate the Bishops Emeriti (retired) provide a much welcomed contribution to the work of the conference. The Bishops' Conference of Scotland is a permanently constituted assembly which meets regularly throughout the year to address relevant business matters.

Members of The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

Click here to visit the Jubilee 2025 website

The Jubilee Prayer

Father in heaven,

may the faith you have given us

in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother,

and the flame of charity enkindled in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, reawaken in us the blessed hope for the coming of your Kingdom.

May your grace transform us into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.

May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos in the sure expectation of a new heaven and a new earth,

when, with the powers of Evil vanquished,

your glory will shine eternally.

May the grace of the Jubilee reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope, a yearning for the treasures of heaven. May that same grace spread the joy and peace of our Redeemer throughout the earth.

To you our God, eternally blessed, be glory and praise for ever.

Amen

News from the Commissions and Agencies

November 2025

14Nov

🇮🇪

14 Nov, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

🇮🇪

For the first time in half a MILLENNIUM

Dublin has a Catholic Cathedral

Archbishop Dermot Farrell read the announcement from Pope Leo XIV at Mass this morning

#catholic #ireland #dublin

14Nov

Photos from RC Diocese of Galloway's post

14 Nov, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

13Nov

Photos from School of Education SPF's post

13 Nov, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

13Nov

St Andrew’s Day Dignity Not Detention Solidarity Gathering – Dungavel IRC, Strathaven, ML10 6RF –

13 Nov, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

St Andrew’s Day Dignity Not Detention Solidarity Gathering – Dungavel IRC, Strathaven, ML10 6RF –

Sunday 30th, November, 1pm

Join Justice & Peace Scotland to call for "Dignity Not Detention" and advocate for an end to the inhumane practice of unlimited immigration detention. The UK is the only country in Europe that does not have a statutory time limit on detention, meaning people can be held in prison-like conditions indefinitely with no idea when they will be released. We do so mindful of Pope Leo XIV’s recent reaffirmation that we will be judged by how we treat the stranger.

13Nov

Photos from Justice & Peace Scotland's post

13 Nov, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

13Nov

Photos from Aid to the Church in Need UK's post

13 Nov, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

13Nov

The Pope has granted Papal knighthoods to two men from the Diocese of Paisley

13 Nov, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

The Pope has granted Papal knighthoods to two men from the Diocese of Paisley.

Barrhead born Sir Harry Burns, formerly Scotlands Chief Medical Officer and former Neilston resident and Director of the Catholic Media office, Peter Kearney.

At an investiture ceremony in St. Mirin’s cathedral in Paisley on Monday 10 November, Bishop John Keenan, installed both men into the Pontifical Equestrian Order of St. Gregory.

Papal Knighthoods are reserved for individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the life of the Catholic Church.

During the ceremony, Bishop Keenan commended both men for their work and their faith, thanking Sir Harry for his advice and support to Scotlands bishops throughout the Covid pandemic.

He thanked Mr Kearney for his expertise in directing the church’s national communications for over two decades.

Photo:
Front row LtoR:
Claudia Kearney, Peter Kearney, Bishop John Keenan, John Deighan, Sir Harry Burns, Senga Burns

Back row L to R:
Canon Peter McGarry (St. Thomas’ Neilston) Fr. Dan Fitzpatrick (St. Joseph’s Clarkston)
Fr. Joe Burke (St. Mirin’s Cathedral Paisley)

#papalknighthood #pope #PopeLeo #diocese #dioceseofpaisley #catholic church #catholicchurch #catholicchurches #catholicchurch🙏 #catholicchurch⛪️

13Nov

Holyrood Assisted Suicide Bill: Hospices and Care Homes at Risk as MSPs Reject more Safeguards

13 Nov, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Holyrood Assisted Suicide Bill: Hospices and Care Homes at Risk as MSPs Reject more Safeguards

The Scottish Parliament’s Health, Social Care and Sport Committee has voted down a series of proposed amendments aimed at strengthening safeguards in the controversial Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill.

The latest session, held on Tuesday, followed last week’s debate where MSPs rejected measures to narrow the definition of terminal illness to those with six months or less to live and to exclude individuals seeking assisted suicide due to intellectual disabilities or eating disorders.

Among the proposals dismissed this week were calls for stronger protections for disabled people, mandatory training standards for practitioners, a more robust conscientious objection clause, and checks to ensure individuals are not choosing death because of poverty or inadequate housing.

Concerns were also raised about the potential impact on hospices and care homes, with fears that facilities unwilling to participate in assisted suicide could face defunding or closure. While a vote on an institutional opt-out for hospices and care homes is expected later, the MSP in charge of the Bill, Liam McArthur, signalled firm opposition, arguing such a move would create “a significant barrier” to accessing assisted suicide.

The failure to include an institutional opt-out on the face of the Bill could have devastating consequences for Catholic hospices and care homes across Scotland, which may lose vital funding or be forced to shut down.

An amendment from Clare Baker to raise the minimum age for assisted suicide from 16 to 25—aligning with Scottish Sentencing Council guidance on brain maturity—was also rejected. Instead, the committee agreed to increase the age threshold to 18.

Further controversy arose when MSPs rejected Miles Briggs’ proposal requiring healthcare professionals to opt in to provide assisted suicide services.

Liam McArthur’s own amendment, obliging doctors who oppose assisted suicide to refer patients to a willing practitioner or provide information on the process—effectively mandating limited participation, was approved by the committee.

During the debate, Sue Webber highlighted evidence from other jurisdictions showing that assisted suicide drugs are not always painless, citing cases of vomiting, choking, fluid in the lungs, and failed deaths. “Even when we’re legislating for death, Parliament still bears responsibility for life,” she said.

Reacting to the committee’s decisions, CPO Director Anthony Horan expressed deep concern: “Instead of beefing up this Bill with safeguards and tightening key provisions, the committee appears to be doing everything in its power to make the Bill unsafe and a significant risk to vulnerable people.

“Liam McArthur’s insistence that there should be no institutional opt-out will be particularly alarming for hospices and care homes that do not wish to participate in assisted suicide. It could mean that, should this law pass, those hospices and care homes will lose vital funding and be forced to close.

“MSPs have a duty to protect the vulnerable and the institutions that care for them. With each rejected safeguard it is becoming increasingly clear that MSPs are failing in that duty.”

You can help by contacting your MSPs and updating them on these developments. Please click the link in the comments.

12Nov

Photos from Justice & Peace Motherwell Diocese 's post

12 Nov, 2025 | Justice & Peace Scotland | Justice & Peace Scotland Facebook |

👏 Well done to the Diocesan Justice & Peace Group in Motherwell Diocese for their witness of solidarity to mark Prisoners Week Scotland.

Bishop Joe signed the Prisoners Week Charter on behalf of the Diocese as a pledge to pray for all affected by imprisonment and to encourage awareness and engagement with Prisoners' Week.

Is this something you could do in your own parish or diocese?

12Nov

‘I want to live my life well’ - Inverness has youngest Catholic priest in Scotland

12 Nov, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/i-want-to-live-my-life-well-inverness-has-youngest-catho-418867/

Christian Viewpoint columnist John Dempster meets Aidan Matheson.