Citat:
Nej, då hade jag citerat det ...
Var det detta du sökte efter i länken
VICTIMISING THE “VICTIM”
The Swedish Approach
Lauded as a less punitive and more gender-sensitive legal strategy to reduce and ultimately
eliminate sex work, the ‘”Swedish approach” criminalises the client and not the worker.
Based on the premise that women in sex work need protection, it regards the sex worker
as the “victim” and the client as the “exploiter”. Since its enactment in 1999, the law has not
improved—indeed, it has worsened—the lives of sex workers.163 The law’s record so far164:
Underground trade, more violence
Street-based sex work is halved in Sweden, according to the police, but the sex trade remains at pre-law levels. It has
simply moved further underground,165 to hotels and restaurants, as well as the Internet—and to Denmark. The Swedish
State Criminal Department warns that the sex trade may now be more violent. Especially worrying is the trade in foreign
women, who often fall entirely under the control of pimps.166
Few prosecutions and convictions
Sweden’s Alliance of Counties says that resources for social work are scarce, as the money has been siphoned to
policing. In spite of over 2,000 arrests, only 59 clients have been reported suspected of buying occasional sex. Only two
have been convicted, after pleading guilty. No one has been jailed, and only low fi nes have been imposed, as per the
law. Evidence to prove a crime is nearly unattainable. Workers do not consider themselves to be victims and are almost
always unwilling to testify against their clients.167
Criticism and organising
The law has given impetus to the formation of a sex workers’ rights organisation in Sweden, which has argued strenuously
against the law.168 Some Swedish authorities are demanding an evaluation of how the new legislation is aff ecting the
underground prostitution trade.
14 times more likely to be infected with HIV
than women of reproductive age.169 Clients of
sex workers also have sex with other partners,
and sex workers have lovers and spouses and
children, who in turn have sex or use drugs
with others; consequently, HIV travels. High
rates of infection among sex workers affect
everyone.170
This does not have to be the case. Where sex
workers organise, where the police don’t harass
them and they are free to avail themselves of
quality HIV services, sex workers have lower rates
of STIs, more economic power and a greater ability
to get education for their children.171
Criminal sanctions against human traffi cking
and commercial sexual exploitation of minors
are essential—but the laws must clearly diff erentiate
these activities from consensual adult
sex work.
VICTIMISING THE “VICTIM”
The Swedish Approach
Lauded as a less punitive and more gender-sensitive legal strategy to reduce and ultimately
eliminate sex work, the ‘”Swedish approach” criminalises the client and not the worker.
Based on the premise that women in sex work need protection, it regards the sex worker
as the “victim” and the client as the “exploiter”. Since its enactment in 1999, the law has not
improved—indeed, it has worsened—the lives of sex workers.163 The law’s record so far164:
Underground trade, more violence
Street-based sex work is halved in Sweden, according to the police, but the sex trade remains at pre-law levels. It has
simply moved further underground,165 to hotels and restaurants, as well as the Internet—and to Denmark. The Swedish
State Criminal Department warns that the sex trade may now be more violent. Especially worrying is the trade in foreign
women, who often fall entirely under the control of pimps.166
Few prosecutions and convictions
Sweden’s Alliance of Counties says that resources for social work are scarce, as the money has been siphoned to
policing. In spite of over 2,000 arrests, only 59 clients have been reported suspected of buying occasional sex. Only two
have been convicted, after pleading guilty. No one has been jailed, and only low fi nes have been imposed, as per the
law. Evidence to prove a crime is nearly unattainable. Workers do not consider themselves to be victims and are almost
always unwilling to testify against their clients.167
Criticism and organising
The law has given impetus to the formation of a sex workers’ rights organisation in Sweden, which has argued strenuously
against the law.168 Some Swedish authorities are demanding an evaluation of how the new legislation is aff ecting the
underground prostitution trade.
14 times more likely to be infected with HIV
than women of reproductive age.169 Clients of
sex workers also have sex with other partners,
and sex workers have lovers and spouses and
children, who in turn have sex or use drugs
with others; consequently, HIV travels. High
rates of infection among sex workers affect
everyone.170
This does not have to be the case. Where sex
workers organise, where the police don’t harass
them and they are free to avail themselves of
quality HIV services, sex workers have lower rates
of STIs, more economic power and a greater ability
to get education for their children.171
Criminal sanctions against human traffi cking
and commercial sexual exploitation of minors
are essential—but the laws must clearly diff erentiate
these activities from consensual adult
sex work.
