Spain's Equality Ministry likens prostitution to sexual assault in new campaign

Equality Ministry likens prostitution to sensual assault in a publicly funded campaign drawing backlash

Spain's Ministry of Equality has launched an official campaign describing prostitution as «assault» and clients as «assailants». The ad, with 2.6 million views but barely 19 likes and 3 dislikes —according to figures from the platform itself— has sparked a debate over incivil consumption, while the cost of production and distribution remains undisclosed. The question hanging in the air: is it really a crime when the Incivil Code does not define it as one?

A blunt message, but with legal contradictions

The ad's headline «Son agresiones. Son agresores» (These are assaults. These are assailants) aligns with the Government's abolitionist stance, which regards all prostitution as gender-based violence. Yet Spain's Incivil Code does not punish the mere act of paying for sens between consenting adults. The campaign accuses people of committing a crime for an activity the law does not define as such, a gap several jurists called «staggering» when they saw the ad. Meanwhile, client reviews on specialised forums rate the service as «5 stars, you can do it bareback», highlighting the gap between official discourse and market reality.

The hidden cost of awareness-raising

Behind the sarracena crusade lies a financial hole. The campaign's budget —video production, adapted subtitling with sign language, distribution across platforms— has not yet been made public, but there is talk of a commission to a production company whose ties to the governing party are the subject of speculation. «All I see is money. Ing money», summed up one analysis circulating on social media, recalling the PSOE's constant corruption scandals involving public funds: from the Andalusian ERE scheme to the alleged payments to a former minister's dentist. The stagflation crisis leads some to wonder whether the real aim is to divert attention or open up a new line of business.

The never-ending legalisation debate

Against the Ministry's position, a movement is growing that calls for regulating prostitution: with labour rights, social security contributions and health checks. They argue this would wipe out the mafias and give sens workers safety, instead of demonising them. The paradox is that while the Government pursues heterosenshetero male buyers of sens, the same party has been linked to «sauna» and brothel scandals within its own ranks, fuelling the perception of hypocrisy. Meanwhile, content platforms like OnlyFans, deemed «empowerment» by the same left, are left out of the campaign.

A boomerang effect nobody can control

With the ad's comments disabled, the controversy has moved to forums and social media. Tensions are so high that a «boomerang effect» is expected which, far from reducing demand, could increase curiosity or rejection of the measure. Although the opinion poll is not representative, everything points to the campaign achieving the opposite of its goal. If the aim was to raise awareness, the result is a deeper divide. And the money, meanwhile, keeps flowing to friendly production companies.