STRASBOURG. All EU countries should criminalize the purchase of sex, just like Sweden.
The EU’s equality committee thinks so – and on Thursday the parliament will take a position on the issue.
– Then you put the shame where it belongs – with the cods, says Saga, 24, who herself has experience in prostitution.
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Saga, 24, was exposed to sex for the first time as a 15-year-old. Today, she is a board member for the association Intedinhora and an expert at ChildX, which works against human trafficking of children.
This week she was invited to the European Parliament as a survivor, to share her experiences of living in prostitution.
On Thursday, the parliament will decide on a report on the regulation of prostitution. The report, which the gender equality committee has already endorsed, calls on all countries to introduce the so-called Nordic model, to make the purchase of sex illegal.
Saga is positive about launching the Swedish Sex Purchase Act throughout the EU.
– I think that I, and many others who have been exposed to prostitution in Sweden, still feel a sense of security in knowing that we have the law on our side. This in turn means that you move a lot of feelings of guilt and shame away from yourself and put it where it belongs – with the cods.
“Is not a choice”
The report points out that prostitution often has links to organized crime, such as human trafficking and drug trafficking. And that many of the women were forced to sell sexual services.
Today, the view on prostitution is divided within the EU. While countries such as Sweden, Norway and France have criminalized the purchase of sex, it is completely legal in countries such as Holland and Germany.
Saga tells us that she has talked a lot with survivors from other countries.
– We carry the same type of trauma. We are talking about the whole body resisting when you think about having to go back to prostitution, for example. It is not something that only Swedish survivors feel, but it is everywhere.
She is careful to point out that prostitution is not voluntary – no matter what a country’s laws look like.
– It is not a choice. It is a lack of opportunities that causes people to end up in prostitution or other commercial exploitation.
Bah Kuhnke (MP): “The EU is a team”
EU parliamentarian Alice Bah Kuhnke (MP), who sits on the equality committee, wants to see a common strategy against prostitution throughout the EU.
– We are a team in the EU, we cannot have first and second class citizens. No woman or man should be exposed to the violence that prostitution is, she says.
If the EU Parliament votes yes to the report on Thursday, it will have significance, according to Alice Bah Kuhnke.
– If we get a majority behind the report, we have laid a foundation for having a strong parliament that wants to see the Swedish Sex Purchase Act become the norm throughout the EU. Hopefully we can then get legislation in place during the next term. It is incredibly important if we win this, she says.
SD will vote against
S, V, MP, C, as well as M and KD will support the report. L has not answered how they will vote. SD says they stand behind the Swedish Sex Purchase Act in Sweden, but will vote against the report. Partly because it is believed that the countries should decide for themselves in the matter, but also that it could backfire on Sweden if they open up legislation in the area.
Alice Bah Kuhnke believes the Yes side could win the vote, but it is far from certain.
– There is resistance and it exists in all countries and all political camps. Often hidden behind the reasoning that women should have the freedom to do what they want with their bodies. There are incredibly strong drives that want to enable men to buy sex like they can buy a cell phone or Coca-Cola.
“If it’s a job – then you become a commodity”
Critics believe that prostitution is a voluntary choice for women and believe that you should rather work to get them rights, such as collective agreements.
Saga opposes it.
– I think it will be very demeaning to those who are in prostitution. If you treat it like a job, then you become a commodity, because you are bought as a commodity.
What would it mean if the EU votes for the report?
– A lot. Then the EU takes a strong position, it is a position that you must identify prostitution as violence, not as a free choice and not as work.