Confusion: Patronising prostitutes made illegal but prostitution is legal in Sweden

The laws on prostitution in Sweden make it illegal to purchase sxx, but not to sell the use of one’s own body for such services.

Also procuring and operating a brothel is still illegal.

The criminalisation of the buying of sxx, but not the selling of one’s own body for sxx, was special when first came in Sweden in 1999. Since then, this “Nordic model” for sxx trade legislation has been adopted in many other nations.

When one looks at the laws of Sweden concerning sxx workers, it brings up the question of what exactly do these Swedes want? Do they want to legalize prostitution or do they not want to?

This uncertainty comes from the confusion as far back 1999 when Sweden became the first country to criminalise the buying of sxx.

But, the law still allowed prostitutes to do their business withoutbeing disturbed.

In a different part, selling sxx is legal, however, paying a prostitute for it comes with huge punishment such as jail term.

This model has been adopted by other countries like Norway, Iceland, and, more recently, Canada and Northern Ireland. However, organisations like Amnesty International’s have come up with a controversial proposal that rejects this absurd law.

The Coalition Against Trafficking in Women says Amnesty’s proposal would see it “advocate the legalisation of pimping, brothel owning and sęx buying – the pillars of a $99bn (£64bn) global sxx industry”.

Sweden’s official evaluation of the law, published in 2010, said that from 1998 to 2008 street prostitution in the country reduced by half, largely as a result of the legislation.

Though, some people argue that criminalising the purchase of sxx harms prostitutes by making their clients stressed and nervous, and driving the trade underground.

One thing, however, is clear: if countries are going to adopt the Swedish model, there are ways to do it that avoid at least some of the most negative consequences for those who choose to be in sex work line

For example, Swedish sęx workers are disturbed by the threat of eviction, because, under present rules and regulations, landlords are vulnerable to getting charges if they collect money earned from sxx trade.