Sweden and prostitution

Ummm, Flora from the conclusion of that very study:

"The likely negative consequences of legalized prostitution on
a country’s inflows of human trafficking might be seen to support
those who argue in favor of banning prostitution, thereby
reducing the flows of trafficking (e.g., Outshoorn, 2005). However,
such a line of argumentation overlooks potential benefits
that the legalization of prostitution might have on those employed
in the industry. Working conditions could be substantially
improved for prostitutes—at least those legally
employed—if prostitution is legalized. Prohibiting prostitution
also raises tricky “freedom of choice” issues concerning both
the potential suppliers and clients of prostitution services. A
full evaluation of the costs and benefits, as well as of the
broader merits of prohibiting prostitution, is beyond the scope
of the present article."

The article linked by NeoFaust was written by the English Collective of Prostitutes, which I certainly do consider to be part of the pimp lobby as they advocate for legal brothels where women in prostitution are "employed" by pimps.

Your article is the same, it's produced by organisations lobbying for decriminalisation of prostitution.

The Swedish police believe the laws there have reduced prostitution. There has also been research by an academic at the LSE on legalisation of prostitution and trafficking:

www.lse.ac.uk/geographyAndEnvironment/whosWho/profiles/neumayer/pdf/Article-for-World-Development-prostitution-anonymous-REVISED.pdf

This is one of the most impressive pieces of research I have seen around prostitution as it is measured and is careful in what steps it recommends. Almost all the research carried out around prostitution is done by campaign groups. Even where an NGO or government body is involved, the research is often carried out by a campaign group.

The article in the OP wasn't pretending to be an outline of scientific studies but was an opinion piece based on reported experiences from Sweden. Ultimately, this isn't an issue that can be answered by research as the women in prostitution are hidden, other than those who seem to make a career out of proclaiming how wonderful prostitution is and they have never encountered a trafficked woman. Women who are no longer in prostitution generally want to forget about it and move on with their lives. As a result it will never be possible to "listen to sex workers" because the only ones who are able to speak are those follow the pimp lobby line. How do we listen to the women with no voice?

This is the profile of the author of that Guardian piece:

"Niki Adams is a spokeswoman for the English Collective of Prostitutes, a network of women working in different areas of the sex industry – both on the streets and indoors, which campaigns for decriminalisation of sex work and for sex workers' safety"

She doesn't sound like she would be arguing on behalf of pimps? What am I missing here?

I am not one of the people who is terrified of posting on FWR, but now I am a bit apprehensive that I will be labeled the "pimp lobby" for simply raising a question as opposed to joining in the cheer.

I am not an expert on the subject, but the article linked by the OP is rather thin. There are no references, the stats are vague. For instance, how does the Swedish government exactly measure the decrease in trafficking? I would like some more concrete information to judge success.

Experience in fighting other crime shows that prohibiting things does not necessarily make these things go away. The "war on drugs" is a prime example. This also makes me want more data and explanations.

And I don't think posting an alternative view here is like inserting a pie recipe into a curry discussion. It's more like critiquing the original curry recipe or offering another. So again, I would welcome information that is more detailed and from a more reputable source than the original article, especially when there are publications like this - www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/ruth-jacobs/prostitution-laws_b_4851224.html - out there.

Well, colour me shocked... the pimp lobby is here.

I must away, not allowed to be cross about things anymore, must always be smiley and welcoming.

Why does an alternate view need to be presented when a person is simply linking to a specific news article?

If I post a curry recipe do I need also post a Pie and chips recipe to make sure pie and chips are represented. It's almost like you have an agenda.

Yes make sure the pimp lobby view gets promoted everywhere

Just to make sure that an alternative view is presented:

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/nov/06/sex-workers-decriminalisation-amendment-modern-slavery-bill

We live in hope that everyone except of course those with a vested interest in wishing to propagate the continued use of women as wank socks will see the wisdom of this. If we lived in a more equitable and equal society, these laws wouldn't have to be enacted. But we don't.

Interesting article, thanks.

Northern Ireland has just introduced similar legislation which is just about to take effect. Canada has also done so. Unfortunately this was proposed in Scotland but didn't pass. The European Parliament also supports this approach and a similar law was almost adopted in France. The Germans are apparently reconsidering their legalisation approach.

I'm somewhat optimistic that more countries will adopt this approach. As the article points out, the success will largely come down to enforcement and to a change in public attitudes.

It seems like such an obvious approach to try out, I hope it spreads. Apparently there is a campaign to do similar in the UK but I have no idea how well it's doing:

enddemand.uk/about/sex-buyer-law/