Paris Olympics 2024: NGOs Condemn Police's Alleged Crackdown on Sex Workers Ahead of Games

A coalition of 17 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) has raised concerns about alleged increased police crackdowns on sex workers in Paris ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games.

The NGOs, which work closely with sex workers, assert that these measures, characterized as a "repression first" approach, are detrimental to the security and well-being of individuals involved in the sex industry.

NGOs Decry Heightened Policing in Paris Sex Work Hotspots

The Eiffel Tower is illuminated after sunset on July 07, 2023, in Paris, France. Paris will host the Summer Olympics from July 26 to August 11, 2024. (Photo: Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

The report issued by these organizations highlights a perceived escalation in law enforcement activities targeting sex workers, particularly in areas such as the Boulogne and Vincennes woods, known hotspots for such activities.

According to the NGOs, there have been heightened police patrols and stringent identity checks on women engaged in sex work in these areas, indicating a shift in policing practices.

"The approach that we characterize as 'repression first' has obvious consequences on the security and health of sex workers," the report states, emphasizing the negative impact of such tactics on the vulnerable population.

This alleged crackdown comes in the context of a legal framework in France that criminalized the act of paying for sex in 2016, shifting the legal burden onto clients rather than sex workers themselves.

Despite concerns raised by French authorities about a potential surge in prostitution during the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games, the NGOs contest these assertions, suggesting that sex workers are not flocking to Paris but rather facing displacement to other towns due to rising accommodation costs.

The NGOs have called on authorities to redirect their focus towards addressing criminal organizations that exploit and harm sex workers rather than resorting to heavy-handed tactics that exacerbate the vulnerabilities of this marginalized community.

NGOs Criticize Authorities' Pre-Olympics Clear-Out of Marginalized Groups

In addition to the purported crackdown on sex workers, other NGOs have criticized efforts by French authorities to clear out migrants and homeless individuals from the capital ahead of the Games, which are anticipated to attract millions of international visitors.

These actions have sparked further concerns about the treatment of marginalized groups in the lead-up to the highly anticipated sporting event.

As preparations for the 2024 Paris Olympics continue, the debate surrounding the treatment of sex workers and marginalized communities underscores broader social and legal challenges facing the host city.

With allegations of police repression and displacement of vulnerable populations, the need for a balanced and inclusive approach to security and social policy remains paramount in ensuring the well-being of all residents and visitors alike.