Lithuanian parliament member B. Vėsaitė has prepared amendments to the Administrative Misconduct Code (ANK) aimed at substantially increasing fines for individuals who purchase sexual services. These amendments are expected to be registered within the week, proposing fines from 1,000 to 1,600 euros for initial offences and up to 3,500 euros for repeat offences. Vėsaitė emphasized that the current fines, ranging from 90 to 300 euros, are insufficient and do not act as a deterrent against purchasing prostitution services.

During a press conference at the Seimas, Vėsaitė articulated that her motivation for introducing these amendments stems from the need to strengthen the penalties imposed by the state for the purchasing of prostitution services. She criticized the existing administrative penalties as ineffective, stating that they fail to produce the necessary preventive and deterrent effects. The proposed changes focus on increasing the accountability of purchasers rather than penalizing the vulnerable individuals involved in prostitution.

Vėsaitė's initiative reflects a growing recognition of the need for more robust state intervention in addressing prostitution, emphasizing that the severity of fines should correspond with the seriousness of the offence. This legislative move could signal a shift in public policy towards a more severe stance on the purchasing of sexual services, potentially fostering broader discussions about the treatment and support for those involved in prostitution in Lithuania.