Sweden must decide on the sex sellers, writes DN’s editorial staff
When the Swedish Sex Purchase Act was introduced in 1999, many were proud. It was considered to be the right way forward, illuminated by modern feminist theory that no one sells sex voluntarily, but on the contrary is an expression of men’s violence against women. Consequently, only the buyers commit crimes in Swedish law. The sellers count as victims.
Unfortunately, the public does not read the fine print in the legal text: according to a report from RFSU, the proportion who also wants to criminalize sales has increased from 30 percent before the introduction to 52 percent in 2015 (DN 2/2 2015). The analysis is that there has been a change in attitude that has meant that the sellers are now regarded as criminals.
It is an interpretation that receives support in how society treats these women.
Already in the government’s own investigation, SOU 2010: 49it is noted that they experience a strengthened social stigma: « Although it is not forbidden to sell sex, they feel chased by the police. » But, it is stated: « The above -mentioned negative effects of the prohibition (must) are almost considered positive from the perspective that the purpose of the law is to fight prostitution ».
Here is a slip away from what was actually the stated purpose of the law: the main thing is now claimed instead to remove sex sales, and if the affected feel bad, it is only good, because they may then end themselves.
So here is seen a slip away from what was actually the stated purpose of the law: the main thing is now claimed to be to remove sex sales instead
With such an attitude Is it not strange that the authorities act as they do. DN has previously shown that the border police chased, arrested and locked in foreign victims for trafficking, ie regular human trafficking, without offering help. Then they were expelled from Sweden, citing that they « will not support themselves in an honest way ».
« We are working to remove the item, » commented a police chief (DN 21/2 2019).
Now Aftonbladet reveals (22/4) that the same thing also happens to EU citizens, with reference to the fact that they « pose a serious threat to the general order in society then (they) support themselves in a way that favors crime ».
Sweden needs decide. Are sex sellers victims? In that case, we must allocate resources to support and help them. Otherwise, the Sex Purchase Act is no more than the same old women’s disdain as usual.
Read more:
Lisa Magnusson: The important thing is the sex sellers themselves – not others’ gut feeling
