A controversial topic gains momentum as the Valencian Community faces pressure from PSPV-PSOE and Compromise to tackle prostitution. The socialists have been clear: they aim to push for abolition, coordinating with regional authorities to mobilize public support and legal mechanisms. Recently, the Ministry of Justice, Interior and Public Administration issued a new push in this direction. Gabriela Bravo, serving in the Generalitat, announced that letters were sent to city councils urging them to join an effort to curb prostitution. The goal is to approve decrees that hold those responsible accountable and, above all, safeguard female victims who are vulnerable to exploitation.
Bravo emphasized the need for continued collaboration to end what she described as a form of violence that is a human rights issue and a challenge to female dignity. She stated that prostitution represents humiliation, exploitation, and gender-based violence, and she reminded public forces of their duty to fight violence and to protect the victims above all else.
Valencia Forum
In the municipalities’ letters, it was recalled that the Valencia Forum for the Prevention of Prostitution, created two years earlier, has a clear objective: to eliminate prostitution and to safeguard people’s rights and freedoms, especially those vulnerable in prostitution. Within the forum, plans were proposed to draft an anti-slavery municipal ordinance that would, among other measures, protect women and impose sanctions on both pimps and those who solicit or exploit others. The model regulation proposed by the Ministry is available for reference on the ministry’s website.
PSPV has reiterated that ending prostitution is an inevitable step, aligning with Bravo’s message. The minister’s announcement about the letters to consulates followed a meeting with Rubén Alfaro, head of the Valencian Federation of Municipalities and Provinces. The timing comes amid ongoing debates, including Valencia Courts’ consideration of proposals from Botànic that aim to amend autonomous laws related to Highways and Public Demonstrations, seeking to influence repeal. Compromís has criticized these moves, arguing that they do not sufficiently address the root causes of prostitution.
Working group
Bravo also proposed the formation of a comprehensive support plan for victims, with measures spanning social and employment services, health, and housing. The aim is to help women in prostitution build a pathway toward a life of dignity. “The vision is a Valencian Community free of prostitution in all municipalities, on roads and within buildings,” Bravo remarked.
Following amendments to the Road and Public Entertainment laws last Tuesday and the withdrawal of support from Compromís, the PSPV has unified its stance on eliminating prostitution, marking it as a policy priority. Recent days have seen both the Socialists and Bravo advocating legislative changes to advance this goal, while critics from the fist and rose party question the practicality of certain prohibitionist models. In Alicante, for example, a prohibitionist approach has faced political pushback under the leadership of Luis Barcala. Last week Bravo highlighted the importance of bringing more municipalities on board, a stance that has been reinforced by the letters sent to local authorities this Monday.