Targeting the Sex Buyer The Swedish Example: Stopping Prostitution and Trafficking Where it all Begins

Every day, cynical, loathsome human trafficking, involving primarily women and children who are being exploited for sexual purposes, is taking place the world over; it is a repugnant activity that can be compared with the slave trade of ancient times. Human trafficking is part of a multi criminal operation that hits the very weakest members of society the hardest.

It is unacceptable that human beings are bought and exploited like merchandise, and we must combine forces and use all available means, both at home and at the international level, to put an end to this trade.

Sex trade with women and children also goes on in Sweden. This publication deals with the country’s efforts to combat prostitution and human trafficking for sexual purposes. At the request of the Swedish Institute, a number of players who are active in this area were interviewed so that they could explain how the Swedish law works in practice and what is being done to protect and support the victims. A general description of Sweden’s concentration on international collaboration to combat human trafficking is also included here.

Since 1999, we have had a law on the books that prohibits the purchase of sexual services. The idea behind the law is that the demand, primarily by men, for such services, is what sustains prostitution and human trafficking for sexual purposes. Even if the law was preceded by extensive debate and is still called into question in many parts of the world, it has received considerable support from the Swedish population.

The practice of focusing on the sex buyers and neutralizing the demand for sexual services in order to combat prostitution and human trafficking for sexual purposes is often referred to as “the Swedish example.”