Prostitution and Public Policy in Post-Socialist Bulgaria

Abstract

The article examines prostitution in Bulgaria, which has become a widespread ‎phenomenon in the post-socialist period when the number of sex workers increases and the places where sex services are offered proliferate. At the same ‎time, the policies towards prostitution remain archaic and inadequate to the ‎new circumstances. ‎The text draws on an empirical base, mixing qualitative and quantitative ‎research conducted in the period 2008-2022. Results of two nationally representative surveys of public opinion on the subject are analyzed. Additionally, ‎reviews of court cases, other documents and Internet forums of clients using ‎paid sex services are discussed. Results from monitoring of specialized police ‎operations related to prostitution are presented.‎ The first part of the text presents the historical development of prostitution ‎in Bulgaria – before socialism and during the communist regime. The second ‎part focuses on the rise of prostitution in post-socialist Bulgaria – development of the sex market is traced; main layers of prostitution and social mobility patterns are analyzed; the role of the third party is discussed. The third part ‎examines the current policies regarding prostitution in Bulgaria. In the concluding section, the article discusses the potential for developing new policies ‎on prostitution in post-socialist Bulgaria.