French Lawmakers To Consider Bill That Would Punish Johns, Not Prostitutes

Prostitution is legal in France

France's government is pushing one of Europe's toughest laws against prostitution and sex trafficking, and other countries are watching closely. Advocates hope that a draft French law going to parliament Wednesday will help change long-held attitudes toward the world's oldest profession _ by punishing the customer and protecting the prostitute.

The bill, however, is facing resistance in a country with a libertine reputation and a Mediterranean macho streak, and has prompted petitions defending those who buy sex. Signatories include screen icon Catherine Deneuve _who played a prostitute in the cult film "Belle de Jour" _ and crooner Charles Aznavour.