The 'Nordic Model' of Sex Work A fig leaf for politicians, at the expense of sex workers.
Conservative circles praise the "Nordic Model" as a solution to the "problem" of prostitution. This model, first introduced in Sweden and therefore formerly known as the "Swedish Model", is a law that does not punish the sale of sexual services, but only the purchase. Sex workers therefore remain unpunished, clients are punished. In addition, there are more incentives for sex workers to make it easier for them to switch to other jobs.
The main motivation for this and similar models of prohibition is always cited as human trafficking and abuse, which is said to make up a large part of the sex trade.
Sex Work Demo Berlin 2015, photo: h3xtacy
Studies published by the supporters of the model show of course a positive effect with a reduction of exploitation and trafficking.
However, what these studies conceal and independent studies prove is the following:
- Even the main motivation for the Nordic model is wrong. Trafficking and abuse are not a large part of the sex trade in countries where sexual services are recognised.
- Prohibition, whether it affects only johns or also sex workers, leads to a shift of supply to the black market. This is a lesson from every form of prohibition in history that the supporters of the model have learned nothing from.
- Independent studies show that the Nordic Model has greatly worsened the lives of sex workers in Sweden. The ban on punters forces the supply underground, where there are no control bodies. The influence of the johns on the sex workers increases, as they depend all the more on their payments because of the ban on buying. In addition, prices come under pressure and the sex workers earn less.
- Independent studies show that trafficking and abuse have increased as a percentage of sex work under the Nordic Model. This is also logically understandable in comparison to countries with free or regulated prostitution, where there are possibilities of control and no inhibition to seek support.
- Sex workers also come under great pressure from the social system. Those who are identified as sex workers and stand by their work lose their children to the social system and are branded (see the film documentary by Arte TV). Support is only given if you present yourself as a victim and seek retraining. This because social workers get conditioned to propagate and reassure the effectiveness of the Nordic Model.
- All these facts lead to completely wrong figures in the studies recognised by the political system.
https://www.arte.tv/de/videos/071485-000-A/wo-sexarbeiterinnen-keine-rechte-haben/
https://www.swarmcollective.org/blog/the-swedish-model
https://www.lastradainternational.org/news/ep-femm-committee-adopts-biased-prostitution-report/
As organisations of sex workers confirm, the development and application of the "Nordic Model of Prostitution" was never about the welfare of women, men and transsexuals. The few inputs the developers received were completely ignored. The "Nordic Model" only serves as a fig leaf for politicians to show conservative voters that something is being done. With the presentation of the embellished studies, they are quickly satisfied, and the actual well-being of those affected is of no importance to them anyway.
From countries with regulated sex work, such as Switzerland or Germany, we know that the proportion of human trafficking in the erotic industry is comparable to that in geriatric care. It is therefore by no means justified to place the entire sex industry under general suspicion, as the view of strongly moralising circles demands.
Those who promote the "Nordic Model of Prostitution" are at best ignorant and ill-informed, blinded by religious fundamentalism, or profiteers from strengthening the black market. In any case, as a supporter, one proves one's inhumane attitude because one ignores the needs of those affected.
See also the article "The voices of sex workers".