Title: Tightened Legislation Fails to Result in Prison Sentences for Sex Buyers, Advocates Call for Further Action
Published: 06:02, Updated: 06:17
In the past year, the penalty scale for purchasing sex has been tightened, aiming to crack down on the illegal industry. However, despite the reforms, no one has yet been sentenced to prison for buying sex. This fact has prompted Swedish activist Saga Brodersen, who has her own experience with prostitution, to call for even stricter legislation.
Brodersen, a 24-year-old coordinator at the association Intedinhora who focuses on combating Child X exploitation, believes that the rise of digital technology has made buying sex even easier, with just a click away. Her own encounters with sex buyers have proven that they come from all walks of life, varying from car mechanics to high-ranking managers, taxi drivers, and brokers.
Having personally experienced the degradation and violence involved in prostitution, Saga stresses that it is not uncommon to fall into the clutches of human traffickers who can subject victims to life-threatening situations. Fortunately, she was able to escape the violence and get professional help from organizations such as Ellencentret and Mikamottagningen.
According to recent statistics, the number of people suspected of buying sexual services or exploiting children under 18 has almost doubled since 2019. Brodersen attributes this increase to the ease and accessibility of online platforms, which have made buying sex just a click away. She challenges the common stereotype of sex buyers being strange and lonely individuals, pointing out that they often come from middle-class backgrounds and have families.
To combat this issue, several municipalities offer support services and counseling for those who buy sex, including the KAST operation, where buyers can seek help, remain anonymous, and receive counseling on quitting through phone or email sessions. There is also Preventell, a national helpline available for individuals struggling with sexual behavior that might harm themselves or others.
Despite the lack of prison sentences, Saga Brodersen believes that tightened penalties send a strong message to society that buying another person’s body is a serious offense. She emphasizes that if someone can prove that a person does not sell sex willingly, the buyer should be charged with rape, which carries a potential prison sentence of three years.
Today, Brodersen works tirelessly to shed light on the issue of sex purchasing and change public perception. She has helped establish an international network called Beyond Survivors, which advocates against commercial sexual exploitation. Her message to women caught in prostitution is that they have the law on their side, and they shouldn’t feel guilt or shame for their situation.
To aid those trapped in prostitution, various helplines and organizations offer support and assistance, including healthcare professionals, crime victim hotlines, Talita, Mika reception, The Women’s Peace Line, Noomi, Roks, and Unizon.
In conclusion, while the tightened legislation has yet to result in prison sentences for sex buyers, advocates like Saga Brodersen continue to fight for stricter laws and support systems to combat the illegal industry and protect individuals caught in its web of exploitation.
Source: Aftonbladet