The article explores the policy underpinning Sweden’s 1999 ban on the purchase of sexual services in the context of the social and health service sectors and the way that these sectors interact with sex workers. It argues that the rationale behind the sex purchase ban is difficult to reconcile with social policy outwith the 'merits' of criminal justice. Understanding prostitution as “men’s violence against women” - while symbolic at a central policy level - conflicts (at the grassroots level at which it is implemented) with core social policy principles. The article concludes that there is a need to address the agency of people who sell sex since denying or minimising such agency may be counterproductive to the policy’s own objectives.
You can download this 10 page PDF resource above. This resource is in English.