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Short Summary
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After several years of public debate initiated by the Swedish women's movement, the Law That Prohibits the Purchase of Sexual Services came into force on January 1, 1999. Persons who purchase sexual services are now liable to a fine or imprisonment of up to six months. The effect of the law has been to reduce the demand for prostitution, and decrease the numbers of people selling sex in Sweden, and to make the sale of sex less profitable. In Sweden, prostitution is officially considered to be a form of male sexual violence against women and children. Women and girls, and sometimes men, in prostitution are seen as victims and not penalised by law. Instead, Swedish municipalities are responsible for providing services such as shelters, counselling, education and job training to women in prostitution. Prostitution and trafficking of human beings for sexual purposes are seen as inseparable. This article sees the policies on prostitution as a cornerstone of Swedish efforts to create a non-patriarchal society.
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