But according to figures obtained by Europe1 radio only clients of prostitutes have been caught and fined over that period. That equates to around 40 a month across the whole of the country since April. However those who were in favour of bringing in the law say the figures are good news and prove wrong those who argued it would be impossible to enforce the law.
However some parts of France have been enthusiastically targeting sex-buyers. Some 50 of the fines handed out since April have been to clients in Narbonne, apparently all due to the fact the local prosecutor has taken a keen interest in applying the law from day one.
Local police chief explained that officers will normally pounce once the client has stopped by the roadside, made contact with the prostitute, and after she has climbed into the vehicle. Most of those fined in Narbonne were over 50 years old and all quickly recognised the facts, so as to avoid having letters sent to the family addresses.
Prostitution groups who fought hard against the change in the law argued that it would simply make life more dangerous for sex workers by forcing them to work in more secluded locations. Foreign prostitutes are also offered residency permits and local authorities are forced to hold regular working groups with charities and legal representatives to improve the protection they give to prostitutes.
He also blasted the government for failing to provide the social support to sex workers that they had promised. France's news in English Search. Editions Austria Denmark France. Germany Italy Norway. Spain Sweden Switzerland. Membership My account Gift voucher Corporate Help center. Jobs in France Browse jobs Post a vacancy. Email newsletters Newsletter sign-up Edit my subscriptions. Other pages Noticeboard Site search. Share this article. Ben McPartland.
