Swedish sex laws attract MPs

#920 for broadcast on 2CH Sydney, 6 Jul 2014.

I have spoken before about the remarkable reform of the sex trade in Sweden.  In 1999, Sweden became the first country to criminalise the purchase of sexual services. The main reason for this is the direct link between prostitution and human trafficking.  If you intervene to reduce demand, then supply will also decline. And that is good news for women.

Now two Australian Capital Territory MPs have visited Sweden to see for themselves how legal reform has helped curb sex trafficking.  MPs, Giulia Jones and Vicki Dunne, were impressed.

“The law has had a huge effect,” Guilia Jones said.  “Buying sex is no longer viewed as socially acceptable.”

MPs also heard how hard it is for women to exit the sex industry, and visited facilities that help women to embark on a new life of their own choice.  Mrs Jones said she hoped to see the establishment of a prostitution exit program in Canberra.

I’m Rod Benson for the NSW Council of Churches.