French police are cracking down on prostitution as tourists head to Paris for the 2024 Olympics… and we’ve learned an anti-pimp brigade is even spearheading the effort.
The police department’s press office told TMZ … authorities are doing everything they can to crack down on illegal sex work in the City of Lights. We were told the checkpoints and other road operations were aimed at trying to stem pimp activity in the Bois de Vincennes, Bois de Boulogne and Belleville areas.
An official brigade – known as the “BRP” – has even been formed… and we’re told they will be making their presence known in the area. There is also a team monitoring night-time venues such as cabarets… where anti-sex work laws will be tightened.
The city of Paris and the prosecutor’s office are also assisting in the crackdown as they collaborate on prevention and awareness measures.
While the increased police presence may come as a relief to residents and visitors, some nonprofits are advocating for sex workers ahead of the Olympics… because they believe a “crackdown first” mentality is negatively impacting sex workers’ lives. .
Every France 24Charities have pleaded with authorities to focus less on sex workers and crack down on “criminal organizations that rob, rape and attack them”.
The groups also argued that sex workers would not flock to Paris during the Olympics because accommodation would be too expensive for them to live there.
The update comes a year after campaigners boycotted France’s anti-prostitution efforts, saying new measures could put sex workers at great risk.
ICYMI…France officially outlawed brothels in 1946, but in 2016 made it illegal to pay others to provide sex – an effort to punish the clients rather than the workers.
However, more pressure means more hiding…which doesn’t do anything to keep sex workers safe.
It sounds like the crackdown might be a bit counterproductive.
