Fined for buying sex: French parliament votes to punish prostitutes' clients

Following a final vote in parliament on Wednesday, France has become the latest European country to punish prostitutes’ clients who will face a 1,500 euro fine if caught buying sex.

The bill includes measures to try to help sex workers leave the industry but critics claim the new law will heighten secrecy, putting prostitutes at greater risk of being attacked.

In passing the legislation, France has become the fifth European country to punish prostitutes’ clients, following Sweden which pioneered the move in 1999, Norway, Iceland and the United Kingdom.