Lex Publica
Vol. 13 No. 1 (2026):

Criminalization of Prostitution Clients and Recommendations for Legal Reform in Indonesia

Ratih Mega Puspa Sari (Universitas Islam Sultan Agung, Semarang, Indonesia)
Lusiana Margareth Tijow (Universitas Negeri Malang, Malang, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
23 Jun 2026

Abstract

The phenomenon of prostitution in Indonesia is not merely a moral issue but also a legal one, given that criminal liability disproportionately targets sex workers and procurers, while the users of such services (clients) largely evade accountability. This creates a justice gap and an imbalance within the criminal liability system. This study aims to analyze the normative basis and the urgency of criminalizing the users of prostitution services, as well as to formulate a direction for criminal law reform in Indonesia. The research employs a juridical-normative methodology, utilizing statutory, conceptual, and comparative legal approaches. The findings indicate that criminal law reform must address the clarity of the definitions of criminal offenses, the proportionality of sanctions, and the protection of sex workers who are subjected to exploitation. In this context, the “Nordic Model” serves as a relevant point of comparison, as it focuses on penalizing the purchasers of sexual services without criminalizing the act of selling such services by sex workers. Consequently, criminal law reform should be directed toward evaluating and refining the provisions within the Criminal Code and related regulations, while upholding legal certainty, and substantive justice.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

lexpublica

Publisher

Subject

Law, Crime, Criminology & Criminal Justice Social Sciences

Description

Lex Publica (e-issn 2579-8855; p-issn 2354-9181) is an international, double blind peer reviewed, open access journal, featuring scholarly work which examines critical developments in the substance and process of legal systems throughout the world. Lex Publica published biannually online every June ...