Are you familiar with these myths about prostitution and sex purchases?

When discussing sex purchases and the Swedish Sex Purchases Act, arguments are often mentioned which are based on myths. Below we list and deal with six myths that are used to justify sex purchases. “Selling sex is like any other job” Describing prostitution as “sex work” is to conceal the real suffering and violations that… Read more »

Press announcement: The sex buyer’s crimes worsen during the pandemic, and vulnerability increases

Despite the fact that we find ourselves in a pandemic with restrictions and social distancing, men are still wanting to purchase sex. Sex purchasing in hotels have become more difficult, which creates an increased concern for the vulnerability amongst workers on Thai massage parlors and for women and children on the internet. RealStars and the… Read more »

New laws regarding sexual exploitation of children

On May 1st, new laws came into force. The time for rape and genital mutilation against children was abolished and the minimum penalty for serious child pornography crimes increased. The amendments to the law mean that it is possible to report a rape or a female genital mutilation to a child, regardless of when the… Read more »

How are women in prostitution and pornography affected by covid-19?

The corona virus affects everyone. However, some are more vulnerable than others. The recommendations directed at women in prostitution highlight a lack of knowledge about their reality and the rising demand for pornography can have terrible consequences. The European Network of Migrant Women has written an article on how migrant women are affected by the… Read more »

Three questions for Kristin Kaspersen

Kristin Kaspersen has led some of Sweden’s most popular television shows throughout the years. Since 2013 she has released four books about health and wellbeing, a matter in which she also holds lectures and that is prominent on her Instagram account. Now, she has answered RealStars’ three questions. 1. What makes you happy? – To… Read more »

Three questions for Magnus Almhed

Every so often, RealStars interviews people to answer three questions and to offer their perspective on the work against trafficking and how to prevent unfair sex. Magnus Almhed was one of the people who helped RealStars during their first years. At the time, he was working at an advertising agency and fine-tuned our text, copy… Read more »

Time to start taking sex purchases seriously

The last couple of days, we have been able to listen to the Swedish Radio’s investigation of prostitution in Sweden. The feature address, among other things, problems regarding how the Swedish authorities handle sex purchases. The police fail in their work against sex purchases in many parts of the country. In several counties not a… Read more »

New review by Robert Schenck – The theater piece Föddhora

On Friday, February 14, 2020, Robert Schenck visited Stora Teatern in Gothenburg to see the production of Föddhora. Föddhora is a theater piece by Martina Montelius played by Lo Kauppi. Here are Robert’s reflections after seeing the play. For those who missed the opportunity in Gothenburg, the set will also be played at Vävenscenen in… Read more »

Worrying sex trafficking at Thai massage salons

Through RealStar’s pioneering efforts with Thai massage salons, we have had hundreds of conversations with women and men at the salons. A frightening picture of the situation emerges with sexual exploitation, insecure work environment, vulnerability and lack of support and integration. Our initiative breaks the silence and we are proud of the film and labeling… Read more »

Project DESIrE presented at RealStars annual meeting

RealStars annual meeting 2019 was held in the end of May at Clarion Hotel Post in Gothenburg, and as tradition we invite a guest that enriches us. This year we got to take a part of Dr. Wanjiku Kaime-Atterhög’s research at Uppsala University. She lectured on the project DESIrE and afterwards our volunteer Susanna Gothall… Read more »