Criminalising the Purchase of Sex: Lessons of the Swedish Model

In 1999, Sweden criminalized the purchase of sex, whilst simultaneously decriminalizing its sale. In so doing, it set itself apart from other European states, promoting itself as the pioneer of a radical approach to prostitution. What has come to be referred to as the Swedish model has now been proposed in the Scottish, French, and Finnish parliaments. States such as Cuba, South Africa, and the UK have also considered implementing a law against the purchase of sex; and both Norway and Iceland have already done so. In the context of its continuing international influence, this book draws upon fieldwork undertaken in Sweden in order to explore the effects of these laws, and their justifying discourses, upon the dynamics of sex work and the lived realities of sex workers. It demonstrates that the Swedish model has failed in its ambition to demonstrably decrease prostitution; whilst, at the same time, sex work has become more dangerous. In the context of these failings and detrimental consequences, the book thus challenges the ‘Swedish model’ on prostitution, and puts into question the continuing efforts of those countries looking to emulate it.