Prostitution in Albania

Prostitution in Albania is illegal but widespread.[1]

Prior to the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, prostitution in Albania was virtually unknown. The migration from rural areas to the cities, and economic problems that followed the collapse caused some women to turn to prostitution.[2]

Street prostitution occurs near the centre of the capital, Tirana, mainly by Roma men and women.[2] Some students work as prostitutes from hotels or motels in Tirana and other big cities. Brothels also found in the cities.[2]

The NGO Aksion Plus works with sex workers for advocacy, education and support.[3]

Legislation

The Criminal Code of the Republic of Albania outlaws prostitution and related activities:[4]

  • Article 113 Prostitution - Criminalised both the buying and selling of sex
  • Article 114 Exploitation of prostitution - "Encouragement, mediation, or receipt of compensation for exercising prostitution"
  • Article 115 Use of premises for prostitution - "Managing, utilizing, financing, renting the premises for purposes of prostitution"

Sex trafficking

Albania is a source, transit, and destination country for women and children subjected to sex trafficking. Albanian women and children are subjected to sex trafficking within the country, especially during tourist season. Traffickers use false promises such as marriage or employment offers to force victims into sex trafficking. Traffickers increasingly use social media to recruit victims. Albanian victims are subjected to sex trafficking in countries across Europe, particularly Kosovo, Greece, Italy, and the United Kingdom. Foreign from Eastern European countries, Philippines, and Nigeria were subjected to sex trafficking in Albania. Middle Eastern, Central Asian, and African migrants transit Albania to reach Western Europe and are vulnerable to trafficking.[5]

Articles 110(a) and 128(b) of the criminal code prohibit sex and labour trafficking and prescribe penalties of eight to 15 years imprisonment. Twenty-one of suspects in 2016 were investigated for child trafficking and 48 for adult trafficking.[5]

The United States Department of State Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons ranks Albania as a 'Tier 2' country.[5]

References

  1. ↑ "The Legal Status of Prostitution by Country". ChartsBin. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 "Sex Work in Albania – an Overview". SWAN. 1 October 2006. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
  3. ↑ "Aksion Plus". SWAN. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
  4. ↑ "Criminal codes" (PDF). Legislationline. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
  5. 1 2 3 "Albania 2017 Trafficking in Persons Report". U.S. Department of State. Retrieved 14 February 2018. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
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