Prostitution in Bulgaria

Prostitution in Bulgaria is itself legal,[1] but organised prostitution brothels, prostitution rings, or other forms of prostitution procuring are prohibited.[1][2] In the past, the Bulgarian government considered fully legalising and regulating prostitution.[3]

The sex trade is a major source of income for Bulgarian criminals.[4][5][6]

UNAIDS estimates there are 10,000 prostitutes in the country,[7] and in 2013 there were 20,000 Bulgarian prostitutes working abroad and this was a source of foreign exchange earnings for Bulgaria.[8] Because of poor socioeconomic conditions, a high number of Romani women are involved in prostitution.[2][9] Nine NGOs offer outreach services to prostitutes in the main cities.[10]

  1. ^ a b "Sex Work Law - Countries". Sexuality, Poverty and Law. Retrieved 16 February 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Country Report on Human Rights in Bulgaria". State.gov. 11 March 2008. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
  3. ^ Nicholas Kulish (5 October 2007). "Bulgaria moves away from legalising prostitution". International Herald Tribune. Vancouver Rape Relief and Women's Shelter. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
  4. ^ David Binder (3 March 2004). "Country report: Bulgaria". NBC News. Archived from the original on 10 December 2015. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  5. ^ Madslien, Jorn (12 May 2005). "Sex trade's reliance on forced labour". BBC News. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
  6. ^ "Crime gangs make billions from Bulgaria sex slaves". Reuters. 12 December 2007.
  7. ^ "Sex workers: Population size estimate - Number, 2016". www.aidsinfoonline.org. UNAIDS. Archived from the original on 4 April 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  8. ^ Georgi Papakochev (26 March 2014). "Thank God For Bulgarians Abroad". novinite.com. Retrieved 2 November 2015 – via Deutsche Welle.
  9. ^ Libby Gomersall (13 August 2007). "Reading Room: Bulgaria's working girls". The Sofia Echo. Retrieved 7 October 2011.
  10. ^ "Bulgaria". SWAN. Retrieved 16 February 2018.