Sweden pledges 35 million to anti-prostitution plan
Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 9:34 amhttp://www.iht .com/articles/ap/2008/07/16/europe/EU-Sweden-Prostitution.php
Swedish government steps up battle against prostitution, plans to crackdown on sex buyers
The Associated Press
Published: July 16, 2008
STOCKHOLM, Sweden: Swedish officials have vowed to step up the fight against prostitution, using a unique law that targets sex buyers instead of prostitutes.
The government announced it will spend 210 million kronor (US$35 million) toward that goal and unveiled a 36-point plan to tackle prostitution and trafficking.
"Sweden is not a good place for (your) business," Justice Minister Beatrice Ask said in a warning to those who buy sex or are involved in trafficking. "(There's) a very big risk of getting caught, and getting caught big time."
She spoke at a press conference Wednesday.
Sweden's unusual prostitution law, which allows the sale of sex but prohibits the buying, faced ridicule when it was introduced nine years ago. However, other countries are now considering emulating the Swedish model, which officials say has reduced the demand for prostitutes and reshaped attitudes toward the sex trade.
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Police estimate that the number of prostitutes in Sweden dropped 40 percent from 2,500 in 1998 to 1,500 in 2003.
The plan boosts policing against sex buyers and expands rehabilitation centers for sex workers and trafficking victims. It also trains hospital workers and social services employees to deal with suspected cases of prostitution and trafficking.
Integration Minister Nyamko Sabuni noted that men are the primary buyers of sex.
"Prostitution and human trafficking for sexual purposes is a serious barrier for social equality and equality between the sexes," she said.
Under Sweden's law, paying for sex is punished by fines or up to six months in prison, plus the humiliation of public expose.
Swedish government steps up battle against prostitution, plans to crackdown on sex buyers
The Associated Press
Published: July 16, 2008
STOCKHOLM, Sweden: Swedish officials have vowed to step up the fight against prostitution, using a unique law that targets sex buyers instead of prostitutes.
The government announced it will spend 210 million kronor (US$35 million) toward that goal and unveiled a 36-point plan to tackle prostitution and trafficking.
"Sweden is not a good place for (your) business," Justice Minister Beatrice Ask said in a warning to those who buy sex or are involved in trafficking. "(There's) a very big risk of getting caught, and getting caught big time."
She spoke at a press conference Wednesday.
Sweden's unusual prostitution law, which allows the sale of sex but prohibits the buying, faced ridicule when it was introduced nine years ago. However, other countries are now considering emulating the Swedish model, which officials say has reduced the demand for prostitutes and reshaped attitudes toward the sex trade.
Today in Europe
Windmills coming around again in the Netherlands
Italian climber believed dead after fall on Pakistani peak
Highest Spanish court clears 4 in 2004 Madrid train bombings
Police estimate that the number of prostitutes in Sweden dropped 40 percent from 2,500 in 1998 to 1,500 in 2003.
The plan boosts policing against sex buyers and expands rehabilitation centers for sex workers and trafficking victims. It also trains hospital workers and social services employees to deal with suspected cases of prostitution and trafficking.
Integration Minister Nyamko Sabuni noted that men are the primary buyers of sex.
"Prostitution and human trafficking for sexual purposes is a serious barrier for social equality and equality between the sexes," she said.
Under Sweden's law, paying for sex is punished by fines or up to six months in prison, plus the humiliation of public expose.
