Only one person in Europe has been punished for hiring a prostitute since a change was instituted a year ago that made the practice a specific offense for all Department of Defense personnel. The airman received an Article 15 on April 12 for signing a false official statement and procuring a prostitute, according to U. Air Forces in Europe public affairs. The airman appears to be the only servicemember assigned in Europe who has been charged with the new violation.
No soldiers or sailors in U. Army Europe and U. Naval Forces Europe, respectively, have been charged with patronizing prostitutes since the change was made, according to public affairs officers.
Maximum punishment includes dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and confinement for a year. Even if prostitution is legal in the country where U. While prostitution is illegal in Italy, laws against it are not heavily enforced by Italian authorities, particularly in southern Italy.
Another prostitute at a modern-looking brothel across the street said she is seeing fewer Americans than she did last year. The change was enacted as part of an effort by the Defense Department to prevent human trafficking. In congressional testimony prior to the change, comments focused on problems in Asia. Home News. Airman is lone Europe violator nabbed by prostitution ban. No soldiers or sailors have been charged in year since rule was enacted. Stripes reporter Sandra Jontz contributed to this article.
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