Advocates for a liberal approach to prostitution laws often emphasize the difference between “voluntary” and forced prostitution/trafficking. But can prostitution truly be voluntary? In this text, I draw parallels to my own experience in prostitution, recounting how curiosity and rebellion quickly turned into desperation and coercion, trapping me in a vicious cycle of prostitution and… Read more »
In the beginning of November, it was time for the EU’s autumn conference and meetings for civil society organizations and national rapporteurs in Brussels. The Commission and the EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator hosted the events, but the country holding the presidency left its mark. This term, the presidency was held by Spain, a country that in… Read more »
The EU’s 2011 Anti-Trafficking Directive1 has been instrumental in preventing and addressing human trafficking across Europe. Following an evaluation, the European Commission proposed on December 19, 2022, a strengthening of these regulations, aiming to equip law enforcement and judicial bodies with enhanced tools to investigate and prosecute emerging forms of exploitation. The Commission’s proposal includes,… Read more »
On Friday, January 27th, a significant milestone was reached in the collaboration between RealStars and Thai massage salons. As the Växtkraft Thai inheritance project came to a close, the Happy Ending event spotlighted the issue of sex purchasing. The day brought together a variety of new stakeholders eager to support the target group, reflecting strong… Read more »
Ord har betydelse! Fjolårets kartläggning av prostitution och människohandel genomförd av Jämställdhetsmyndigheten innefattar begreppet “sex mot ersättning”. Dessutom användes ord som “köpare” och “säljare” för förövare respektive personer som utnyttjades i prostitution. Detta underminerar den utsatthet som ett liv i prostitution så ofta präglas av. Realstars har länge varit en organisation som har uppmärksammat hur… Read more »
The campaign website for Happy Ending is now live. A glance at the website gives those seeking to purchase sexual exploitation something to reflect on, as it reclaims the original meaning of the term. RealStars’ goal is to engage a wide audience in working toward a zero-tolerance vision, where no one is subjected to sexual… Read more »
European Network of Migrant Women’s latest report, shows that there is a lot missing in the support and care inventions for female migrants in Europe, and that they are also especially vulnerable to being exposed to sexual exploitation. Just like many in commercial sexual exploitation, migrant women are suffering from a high degree of posttraumatic… Read more »
How can men get other men to stop purchasing sex? Last fall we asked that question to advertising students, who were given the task to create ads about prostitution. RealStars are now launching a campaign with those ads, and we believe and hope that it will make a difference. Due to Paolo Roberto’s publicized sex… Read more »
The sex purchase by Paolo Roberto has led to the media and private individuals giving attention to prostitution and trafficking. Three friends discussed what had happened during a dinner and felt that they wanted to make a difference. – More men must dare to take a stand, says Sebastian Höglund, one of the men behind… Read more »
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 »
