We believe the model of reform created in Sweden (also known as the Sex Buyer Law) is a revolutionary approach that targets the demand driving the prostitution industry without criminalizing prostituted women by outlawing the purchase of sex but not the sale. This model decriminalises those who are prostituted and makes the buying of people for sex a criminal offence.
Legislation following the ‘Nordic Model’ needs to contain these certain essential elements:
- Buying sexual services becomes a criminal offence. The message that purchasing sexual services is socially unacceptable can be reinforced with public education campaigns
- Selling sexual services is decriminalised
- Funding and support is provided for exit strategies to assist prostituted person to leave this industry.